I spent three nights in the middle of nowhere on a ranch in Wolf Creek, Montana. When I arrived, I was hesitant at the lack of activity and thought it was going to be a long trip. I had not experienced this remote of a location in a long time - there was not a building or cell phone reception within 30 miles. The isolation at first struck me as somewhat alarming and reminiscent of some venue for the perfect Dateline Mystery. By the end of the trip I grew to enjoy the change of pace and almost wished I could stay longer. I left with a renewed appreciation for the outdoors. In a lot of ways, the entire experience felt like a grown up summer camp. The meals had a set schedule but in between eating, we were left to explore the ranch - horseback, fishing, floating the Missouri and beer drinking, lots of beer drinking.
After a 14 hour car ride, we arrived back home. And while I enjoy the modern convenience of wireless internet and a full bar just downstairs, there is something to be said for spending the day under the sun and the night around a campfire. Ranches like this are where stories are told and made - and Maker's Mark tastes just a little better when consumed around a campfire.
