Cross Country (Part Thirteen)
Sis and I started our cross country adventure on June 14. Almost two months later, along with Uncle Sid who we picked up in Port Angeles, Washington, we arrived in Big Timber, Montana. We had numerous adventures along the way (some of which you don’t know about). You might ask what even prompted such a journey for two young gals traveling across the country by themselves. Well, it seemed simple to us. My brother-in-law once gave us shirts that read, “I’ve got the Crazy Mountains in my heart.” That’s part of the answer. From the very first time I saw the homeplace of my Dad and met my family that lived in the heart of the mountains, I was hooked. I can say with John Muir, “The mountains are calling and I must go.” Is that not reason enough? I wasn’t the only one who felt that tug on my heart.
Uncle Sid was an old cowboy. Though his rodeo days of riding bucking broncs had passed, it was still in his blood. The Montana mountains were in his blood, too, and they were calling all three of us. We arrived in Big Timber just in time for the annual rodeo, which was the plan. If you never went to the rodeo with Uncle Sid or the other uncles, you missed a grand adventure.
It was almost as if the hands of time moved back fifty years and Uncle Sid transformed into a young buck. There was energy, excitement, and a real western rodeo. The town took on the atmosphere of the old west with all the horses, and cowboys and cowgirls in their best western shirts with pearl snaps, jeans, vests, cowboy hats, boots and spurs. The whole town came out to take part in the festivities. Many took part in the rodeo. Even the little kids got to try to ride sheep or tie ribbons on a calf’s tail.
at the rodeo 
Uncle Sid in his rodeo days
Uncle Sid stayed in town a few days before going back home to Washington. He was the most famous bucking bronc rider I knew, the only one in fact. After he left, I figured I’d vie him for that position, but first I needed some practice on the back of a horse.
Sis and I headed to “the Boulder” to stay with cousin Babs. She set us up in a little cabin along the creek that was a mile or so from the main ranch house. We had a visitor that wanted to share our one room cabin. It wasn’t quite big enough for all of us and didn’t work out so well, especial for the mouse. You can read that tale in a previous post, O Rats.
Natural Bridge Falls 
Boulder River
We helped with various things around the ranch but mostly we just had fun enjoying the scenery and spending time with Babs. We had picnics by the creek that ran through their back yard, named the new calf born on the same day as my nephew, threw hay bales onto the back of the wagon one day, rode horses, went to the Cow Belles meeting with Babs, walked around Natural Bridge Falls, and had other adventures.
When Babs announced we were going on a cattle drive, I was excited! We got up early for the day’s drive and headed out. We drove cattle over the hills and chased them out of the swales and trees. Hats waved in the air and shouts echoed from the ridges as we urged the cattle on. We had our picnic lunch in a stand of Quaking Aspens. As the sun reached the western sky, we made the final push and the cattle were soon enjoying lush green pastures. We rode to the top of the hill and the view was worth every aching muscle. I saw the Crazy Mountains like I had never seen them before. By the end of the day I walked like Uncle Sid, had muscles I didn’t know I had, and had learned several new words of which my Mother would not have approved. Cousin Babs was a great teacher!
Ranchers ready for the fall drive a few years after we were there
A few days later, we went on a horseback ride in the mountains. It was a beautiful day to ride the mountain trails. Little did I know I was about to have another grand adventure. Of course, my rodeo ride was quite by chance – and it wasn’t a bucking bronc but rather a malcontent she-horse who had her belly rubbed by a downed wire. Read about that adventure in a previous posting, Rodeo Rider.
Our time with Cousin Babs passed all too quickly. For years, when we saw each other again, we recounted the stories with great animation of that summer at the ranch. Those memories never grow old. The sights, smells and sounds of laughter are almost as fresh as the day it happened.
We had other adventures there as well. Stay tuned for a few more Montana adventures!