The Ranch At Rock Creek, Montana, June 2010, Day 3

Let me warn you right now.  After two days of cloudy skies and intermittent rain, we woke up today and saw sunshine and blue skies.  The kind of blue skies you see when you are literally hundreds of miles from civilization.  I warn you because I am surely going to overdo it with the blue sky pictures.  Write your congressman if you do not like it.

Without further delay, then, I present to you, the blue skies of Montana.

The view from our room's balcony.

For lunch, "Chicken Apple Avocado Brown Rice Salad"  Those who know me know full well that Barbie and I discussed my asking for something from the children's menu.  Those little buggers get offered corn dogs or mac & cheese, while we adults are told, "One choice.  You will like."  I gave it a shot, since I like nearly everything included in it.  Alas, it was not to my liking but I picked out the apples and chicken and chalked it up to my effort to get back to fighting weight.  Though, man, that kids mac and cheese looked tasty.

I took a picture of the bear and squirrel on the bookshelf, but the pictures did not come out well.  However, I do like this picture of Barbie taking the same pictures.

Definitely right-click this one to open it in a new window.  This is the next step in playing with Panorama, suggested by Albert Nguyen.  There you have it, a panorama of The Ranch at Rock Creek with Barbie in every shot.

Seriously, look at this in full size and understand why people come to Montana.  By the way, there is something interesting to say about that.  We have been to Colorado many times, up in the Rockies.  Here, up in the Rockies, it is just like Colorado only not, shall we say, as crowded-built-up-overdone-touristy.  Which is wonderful, yet leads to a certain vibe from the people here. And that vibe is, "We want you to come here and spend money, but not too many of you.  We do not want to end up like Colorado.  That would suck for us."  Bad news, though.  Hollywood people used to buy property in Colorado.  Now they buy it in Montana.  The first shot has been fired.

My wife is enjoying the porch THERE.

A side view of The Granite Lodge, under blue sky.  Our room is at the far left.

Our room is right THERE.  Under that bluer than blue sky.

After Barbie's manicure at The Spa, it was time to go fishing.  Along the way we took a detour to get to a nearby peak for a view of the whole property.  The property, by the way, is 6,800 acres.  That is 10.625 square miles.  And they host around 50-60 guests when full, with a fairly small staff.  Comparatively, Los Angeles has a population density that averages 2,500 people per square mile.  So... this area would be home to 26,562 people in Los Angeles, instead of less than one hundred.  Mull that one over.

Yes, Montana is an Anglicization of montaña.  Do you see why?

This is very close to 360-degrees.  As always, I highly recommend a right-click to open it in its own window.  And maybe even zooming in.

Time to practice fly fishing.

By the pond one finds a tee pee.  Barbie is 1/32 Shawnee, and felt right at home.

Fishing is not at all like bow hunting or skeet shooting.  But you sure as heck notice the scenery more.

The point of view of the fly fisherman.  Note the tee pee across the pond.

We returned to the lodge, one of us got a massage, and soon enough it was time for dinner.

Barbie enjoys, "the best mojito ever," in Montana.  Our bartender informed us that a Cuban exile was a member at a country club where he worked, and this Cuban gentleman taught him how to properly make a mojito.  Therefore, Barbie, who has had mojitos from Maui to New York City, experienced the best mojito ever on a ranch in the Rockies of Montana.

Barbie's first course, "Local Arugula, Watermelon And Fennel Salad."

The chef takes pity on me once again, and allows me to avoid salad in favor of Shrimp and Crab Bisque.

Her entree, "Fresh Herb Crab Cake with Georges Bank Sea Scallops, Remoulade, Roasted Asparagus and a Beet Cucumber Coulis."

His entree, "Montana Ribeye Steak, Baked Russet Potato with a Boursin Cream and Roasted Asparagus and a Red Wine Demi Glace."

Needless to say, we were both happy and we shared with each other.  Delicious all around.

Dessert, "Apple Strudel With Honey Infused Vanilla Ice Cream."

It was enjoyed.

The moon above The Granite Lodge.

The Granite Lodge, circa 1862.

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After that, we went into the Silver Dollar Saloon and played shuffle board, darts, ping pong, and pool.  We were going to bowl, but the lanes were filled with kids and we were not quite feeling it.  Wisely, Barbie thought it better to go back to the room and pack.  And if you ask why no pictures of these activities, I shall tell you that the lighting was off.  But really, I was enjoying myself and did not think to take pictures.  Which leaves me lacking a good final shot for tonight.  I will take one now.

Yours truly, finishing up the blog for the final night in Montana.  The overhead light made the colors horribly ugly, but we took care of that with a little black and white action.

Then, just for fun, I used a different iPhone app to color just the blue sky reflected in the lake on the netbook's screen.

Time for bed.  Tomorrow is a long travel day.  Fortunately, our three hour layover in Seattle give us a chance to visit with Josh and Alexis, who move from Seattle to Austin in a matter of weeks.