BIG SKY – Cattle drives, like everything else, are what you
make of them. At least that’s what Colonel Charles Goodnight determined when he
invented the “chuckwagon.”
“Chuck” Goodnight, dubbed “father of the Texas panhandle,”
is one of those good ol’ Texas cowboys that served as inspiration for the likes
of Tommy Lee Jones’ Woodrow Call and Paul Newman’s Butch Cassidy—unlike the
actors, however, Goodnight was probably tougher than a piece of boot leather.
His life as one of America’s preeminent cattle drivers, moving steer from Texas
into western markets like Montana, would have made him so.
But this doesn’t mean Goodnight didn’t appreciate a little
bit of luxury, if not for himself then for the competitive advantage it
provided in recruiting a good crop of cowboys to staff his booming enterprise.
The savvy Goodnight purchased a Civil War munitions wagon,
equivalent to a modern day tank in its constitution, and outfitted the vehicle
with a state-of-the-art kitchen.
Voila: the food truck is born.
Goodnight’s innovation was not only efficient in feeding his
men hearty and delicious meals, but also provided them with the water cooler of
antiquity, a place to gab and exchange “windies,” that is, tall tales, after an
honest day’s work.
At the 320 Guest Ranch’s Chuckwagon BBQ, you won’t find the
hardships Goodnight and crew faced—blistering heat waves, breath-snatching
colds and arduous mountain passes—but you will find the reminiscent trappings of
those times of old.
The experience begins with a horse-drawn wagon ride, touring
the ranch grounds under the guidance of cowboys to which Goodnight would’ve
tipped a hat.
Down on the banks of the Gallatin River, guests let their hair down and indulge in the simple pleasures of summers in Montana. PHOTO COURTESY OF LARRY STANLEY/320 GUEST RANCH
It brings you to the banks of the Gallatin River where piles of hot steaks and grilled chicken await, complemented by fixings you simply need: potato salad, cabbage slaw, ears of corn and baked beans, to name a few.
Be sure to wash it all down with a beer or whiskey while the
ranch guitarist plays acoustic covers, new and old. It’s what Goodnight would
have done.
“This is something that’s been successful for a lot of
years,” said Sara Offutt, the ranch’ s conference services manager . “We have
yard games and horseshoes out there too. It really sets the scene for the good
old days—where kids have a space to run around, and a place where parents can
sit by the river and relax.”
For parents and ranch guests without children, it’s easy to
slip into a childlike mindset; the horses, flowing river, chirping birds, live
music and good barbecue make it happen.
And if those don’t do the trick, sit by the campfire and
round out the experience with a s’more.
Chuckwagon BBQs are available at 320 Guest Ranch every Wednesday evening, all summer long. A two-hour horseback ride is also available to customers. For pricing and to make a reservation, visit 320ranch.com
Embrace the freedom and
serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the
Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice
Event Details
Embrace the freedom and
serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the
Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice to
invigorate your day of adventure ahead. Complimentary.Weather
permitting.
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 7:00 am - August 31 (Saturday) 7:00 am
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 10 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 19 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 17 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 26 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Hike Big Sky is a FREE guided hike for our community and visitors alike. A different trail will be featured each Monday at 9 a.m. Visit BSCO.org for trail description
Event Details
Hike Big Sky is a FREE guided hike for our community and visitors alike. A different trail will be featured each Monday at 9 a.m. Visit BSCO.org for trail description information. Please wear layers, bring water and snacks. Bear spray recommended.
Time
June 24 (Monday) 9:00 am - August 26 (Monday) 12:00 pm