The Blog at Rock Creek

Memorial Day is a day set aside to honor the soldiers who lost their lives serving our country. Though “decoration days” took place before the American Civil War, the first official Memorial Day was held on May 30, 1868. This date was chosen because Northern flowers were abundant and used to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers. This year marks the 150th anniversary of that first Memorial Day.

Over the past 150 years, Memorial Day has grown to celebrate America in general. It echoes the feelings of July 4th, but often serves as more of a family-focused celebration. Families gather round to eat and toast America, the beautiful, and their family and community members who have served.

When we celebrate Memorial Day at The Ranch at Rock Creek, we do so with the American traditions of the legendary West. It is one of our favorite seasonal celebrations because it is a chance for families to gather and observe the holiday in an old-fashioned and spirited way.

Throughout most of the country, these celebrations are fast disappearing, but they are alive and well at The Ranch. In fact, this weekend kicks off our summer season, when barn dances and rodeos are part of our weekly events. Here are some of the events that make our celebration a bucket list trip to the American Wild West. If you’ve yet to make your Memorial Day plans, several accommodations remain. Please join us for an unparalleled American journey.

1. Cowboy Breakfast

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After Memorial Day weekend, guests start seeing a Saturday barn dance on our list of weekly activities, along with the Friday breakfast ride, Tuesday rodeo and Sunday Wells Fargo stagecoach rides. They are now a feature of our summer itineraries and most of our seasonal celebrations, like Autumn Harvest Weekend, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

“Out of all the great and amazing activities we do here at The Ranch nothing receives more positive feedback than the barn dance night.”~Former General Manager Jade McBride

Our barn dance was inspired by a treasured piece of Western history. We hope to restore and share a community celebration that’s sorely missed in modern society. Read more…

While Philipsburg, Montana is thousands of miles away from the runways of New York and London (and Spring/Summer ’16), the Mercantile welcomes you to a “private showing” of a recently released short film that celebrates fall fashion and this land and lifestyle we love. The Ranch – Fall 2015, is the fourth film in the Somerset Films Series of fashion shorts, and was shot on location at The Ranch at Rock Creek.

Every world traveler who visits The Ranch at Rock Creek falls in love with Big Sky Country. Even prior to their arrival, while planning their Ranch vacation activities, guests often comment on their enduring sense of wonder about the striking Rocky Mountain scenery and the history of ranching in the American West. Recently, a magical seasonal landscape image sparked an Instagram follower to ask: “Is this for real?” Someday, when she visits The Ranch, she will experience the magic. Read more…

Photography by Robert A. Cole

A staff member and talented photographer, Robert Cole, spent his summer at The Ranch documenting our weekly ranch rodeo at Camp Roosevelt Arena. Robert traveled from Northern California to work in Montana this summer. Although he has photographed sports before, the rodeo was a new experience. Trying to balance the cultural significance with the athleticism is always a challenge. In this week’s blog, we explain the historical significance of rodeo events to modern competitions and working ranches, while Robert explains his approach to photographing this important Montana tradition.  Read more…

During spring in Granite County, everywhere you turn something has started anew. The land looks and smells green and earthy. Thousands of calves have been born within 100 miles of us, and they roam the fields in little gangs challenging each other to running races. If we could bottle that contagious feeling of spring renewal and send it out into the world, we would. But it wouldn’t be the same without seeing the fawns poking their noses out of the tall grass or the endless open spaces that make Montana such a unique destination.

We want to harness that contagious feeling of spring renewal for travelers and propose some reasons to get out and take a spring break now—before the fevered excitement of summertime begins. If you’re looking for your own spring cleaning, for body, mind or soul, here are some once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunities that are sure to recharge you. Read more…

We started out our New Year’s Eve celebration with a drink named, The Resolution, so it’s only fitting that we sit down to write our resolutions for the year. With a sky this big, we always need to keep our eye on the horizon.

We see travelers from all around the world who are rejuvenated by the pace of ranch  life in Montana. We are similarly inspired by our staff, guides, neighbors and producers who possess that exceptional balance of physical and mental strength it takes to tame the land and wilderness. Even if you don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions, we hope these cowboy and rancher-inspired  life lessons help you achieve new, alpine heights in the coming year. Read more…

November is a perfect time to check your clothing and tack to see if they’re toasty enough for winter adventure. In similar fashion, The Ranch at Rock Creek’s Mercantile has been stocking clothing for winter.

In our first volume of Mercantile Style, we noted that a wild west “Merc” was part refueling station, part department store and part tailor. They offered products that were sturdy and versatile so that the snow is something you appreciate for its beauty, not its temperature. As one of the few luxury guest ranches to stay open all year, we delight in the changing weather and all its possibilities. Our winter ranch wear must always keep pace with the activities we offer.

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In the first hundred years of Montana’s history, ranchers, cowboys and miners had only one place to go for dry goods—the Mercantile. In fact, one of Montana’s biggest cities, Missoula, the Mercantile building is a place of history and pride years after it held any merchandise. The Ranch at Rock Creek’s Mercantile is designed to be a Montana trade hub, stocking local craftsman and exceptional outdoor brands. In fact, when you enter “The Merc,” you may get a feeling that you are in another era. Our staff are trained to do custom boot fittings and provide expert advice on outfitting yourself for ranch life, with products that will last decades, rather than seasons, with good care. No one living in the mountains has ever regretted investing in well-crafted gear. Quality material and attention to detail help prepare Montanans for wherever the dirt road may take them.

If you’re around Missoula, please join us on Sunday, December 4th at Montgomery Distillery when The Ranch’s Merc hosts a Holiday Sip & Shop, with sales on many of our favorite brands. You can find exceptional deals on luxury brands like Filson and Patagonia, and contribute to the spirit of giving. 10% of proceeds will benefit Free Cycles.  The shop will be open from 2 to 7 PM, so grab a friend, a drink and enjoy a bit of Mercantile-style shopping—where there’s a little bit of everything and it’s all adventure-worthy.

Fashion with a Purpose

Our fall fashion choices are warm, comfortable and authentic. We recommend that anyone visiting The Ranch take some time at the Mercantile to find something that can be both souvenir and fashion staple. If you can’t make it to our luxury guest ranch now, here’s an example of an outfit things that you might see in our Mercantile. Ranch fashion requires versatility, whether you’re sliding into the saddle or saddling up to the bar.

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If you are searching for fall vacation ideas, our Ranch at Rock Creek staff is a living, galloping guidebook of Montana experiences. They are our knowledgeable instructors, our wildlife scouts and our adventurers thanks to personal passion and professional pride.

With a dusting of snow on the highest peaks already, most fall vacation ideas and our fall special offers are as inviting as a fleece jacket and a cowboy coffee.

Our Ranch staff took a few moments to share what they look forward to each fall on Rock Creek. Many of our hired hands took root in Montana after growing up elsewhere, and they understand that, although summer gets the main billing, fall in Montana offers a more robust and satisfying glimpse of the Big Sky. Enjoy their fall vacation ideas, and we hope you’ll one day visit The Ranch to put them into action. Read more…

Beyond the necessary business aspects of marking cattle, brandings are big springtime social events on Montana’s ranch lands. The valley snow has melted and green grass permeates the rolling hills of Big Sky Country. When neighbors live several miles apart, brandings are important social gatherings that reinforce valuable bonds. Hard work and helping hands shared among neighbors and friends have always been key to surviving in rural Montana communities.

These Instagram photos were taken by staff member HelloFromClaire

Depending on a ranch’s capabilities and weather considerations, most calves are born in late winter or early spring. By late April, most babies are ready to be branded. The morning of a branding, cattle are gathered and sorted. Calves are separated from their mothers and kept in a different pen.

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