Glacier County chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1931-1940, 1940-10-11

What happens when a dude or
"dudine" comes to Montana for a
vacation? What do they do? What
sort of recreation do they get for
other questions have been asked
even by MOntanans who, for all
their boosted western knowledge,
don't get far enough away from
city to really know what goes on on
the dude spreads. In fact, a lot of
us often are embarrassed when our
eastern friends write and want to
know.
To supply the knowledge of the good
times the dudes really have, to give a
ready reference for the home folks or
to give the reader something accurate
to send to inquiring friends is the pur-
pose of this article.
OF course, the dude gets up early
and slows away a substantial break
fast, sailed with fresh pine air.
There follows mad scramble to the
corral where your horse has been set
aside. Cowboys assist in saddling and
getting everyone set. Within a few
minutes, the long awaited and much
discussed trip is under way.
Three or four hours of fast. contin-
uous riding up a slide rock trail to the
glacier country, or perhaps over the
rolling prairie through sagebrush to
the higher mesa country after stray
cattle or horses, makes everyone hun
cry. Lunch is prepared beside lake
riders relax under trees or in the
shade of huge boulders which have
rested in these spots undisturbed
through many centuries.
These rides are often rewarding for
those interested in observing the west
ern wild life. The country abounds III
small animals such as squirrels, birds,
rOrrIrninnS haa Tnndnh1,rHc
chipmunkS and Jennings. There is al
ways the possibility, too, of seeing g
weasel, otter, marten, black bear, bob
cat, mountain lion, mountain sheep,
grizzlies, deer both the mule and white
tail, elk. antelope. depending upon the
time of day and the season of the
year, as well as the particular char
acter of the country.
Many dudes show considerable in
terest in the geological formations OF
the land, and Montana and Wyoming
especially are often regarded as "geol-
ogist's paradise" because nearly every
type of formation can be found in the
two states.
In the late afternoon, or early eve
ming, the satisfied party arrives back
at the ranch-their appetites ready for
the sumptuous meal awaiting them.
No stay at a dude ranch is complete
without at LEAST one pack trip. These
last on an average of three days and
give the dude a real taste of life in
the outdoors. Every man and woman
in the party usually takes an active
part Part in preparing camp al. and id. cooking
probably the only thing to suggest the
all but forgotten life in a modern,
eastern city.
At the end of day, the riders are
too tired but happy and ready TO hit
the hay" to stay awake long wondering
about anything. The moment at hand
is sufficient because it offers real liv-
ing in the great American out-of-
doors which is the setting of the north
ern Rocky mountain regions.
Hard riding, early risings, rather
rigid routines are the order of the
day, with ample time allowed for rest
and eating. Camp is usually pitched
in the late afternoon, the horses hob
bled, with each person taking full re-
sponsibility for his own equipment such
as saddles. bedding and utensils.
Firewood must be procured as we'll
as water, and the cook needs plenty of
help to prepare a meal for such a
hungry, almost starving, group.
Then comes the thrill for which every
eaSterner has long waited-an evening
around huge fire while the cowboys
sing and tell stories. Everyone becomes
well acquainted in the typical easy 60
ing western manner. Experiences Of
the day, song, laughter . and then
one by one, off to bed to prepare for
daylight arising and another tough day
on the trail
Besides fishing, there may be noun
tain climbing and explorations, with
the crew tied together with a long
rope and each member of the party
armed with spear poles, and OCCASION
| ally there is some prospecting for min