Glacier County chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1931-1940, 1940-10-11
erals and even the resultant establish

| erals and even the resultant establish
ment Of claims.
Comes night again, and mattresses Of
| padded pine boughs become more wei
| come and comfortable than the mos.
ultra modern de luxe bed at the Wal
dorf Astoria could ever be. Far above
| the winking stars, soft breeze sing
ing through the trees, and nearby the
rushing torrent OF mountain stream
as it tumbleS along its rocky way.
These are the precious heritage OF the
| west, much the same today as hundreds
and thousands of years ago before the
first white man came to look upon
them and marvel at their beauty In
aweSome tribute.
Wind burn, sun burn "a few scratches
and bruises, and stiff legs-all are
topics of the day on the third night
when the party returns to the ranch,
combination with cattle roundup, es-
pecially during the late summer or
early fall For this kind of trip, the
equipment goes on pack horses in care
of a guide and a cook prepares meals
from the old-time and unchanged
chuck wagon. Included on the menu
are the well known pork and beans.
an assortment of canned goods. as well
! as bread, meat, potatoes, and fish
|
are always plenty of healthy appetites
to devour everything that is served BY
cook who knows what cowboys like
best
But dude ranching has been more
, than just a lot of fun and vacation
for people who could afford it. 1t has
/ been a means of promoting interesting
and valuable relationships between the
youth of the east and the youth OF
nSt trrnn nj
members of the ranch and the visitors
'Westerners appreciate good sports
manship and honesty above everything
else and respect the tenderfoot if he
shows these qualities. On the other
hand. fasteners admire the open
friendliness, skill and daring of the
rancher and cowboys and try to CO.
operate with them in every way: The
sympathy and understanding of one
anotherS problems that inevitably re-
suits in this rough and ready living
together out Of doors results in deep
affection between the two that Is an
important factor in any consideration
of what a democracy is and can mean.
is the way one Montana dude ranch
operator recently expressed it.
Besides riding, there are innumer-
able hikes up trails to mountain sum-
mits, to lakes and into the more rugged
anu 4tSS dCStSoIDIG CdS. <lIlSI, wv
there may be walks in the rain, per-
haps a sudden clearing of the storm
and the unsurpassed beauty OF the
mountains as they stand out in the
setting sun of a typical western day
All of these experiences, and many
more too numerous to catalog, explain
! the appeal and the growth of the dude
ranch vacation.
Then there are days designated as
mot riding" days. Dudes usually dress
in the inevitable blue jeans. shirts and
sneakers. They play horseshoes, tennis
and take snapshots or movies OF the
cowboys and the ranch animals.
Many Things Offered
Some like to go out and try theil
luck at shooting a coyote or prairie
dog while others will follow the ranch
crew as they repair bitches, dig post
feed. Others will leap into the ranch
wagon and ride to neighboring ranches
on errands, or to the ranger station tC
get cement or blocks OF salt for the
horses.
Dudes never seem to tire of looking
for moose or deer or going fishing
Swimming, getting the inevitable sur
tan, assisting in fish planting and othe!
activities that usually find plenty o.
enthusiastic followers.
Picnic suppers away from the ranch
in the early cool hours of the evening
possibly moonlight ride after sup.
per with singing and stories, these form
the nucleus of other ranch experience:
which long hold tender spot in tht
vacationist's memory book.
Special events at nearly every dudt
ranch include costume ball, in which
the guests participate and prizes arr
offered for the best personifications O
famous pioneers and guides. A motion
| picture taken on the ranch in whic:
the guests are also a part is usual,
compiled and the showing presents oc
casion for a gala evening of fun ant
comment. Trips to Indian reservation
to watch the Indians at their handi
work and craftsmanship are also in
Guided
While every ranch offers great va
! riety of experiences, some stress pic
| neer days. Indian history, geological
archaeological and botanical feature
while others stress cattle roundups, cor
raj exhibitions. ranch activity and tn
| rodeo.
Most dude ranches are operated b.
| the oWner-rancher and his wife. The
have from 20 or more helpers to car
for as many as 100 guests at one tim
on some of the larger ranches an,
there are many tasks and details t.