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Montana Hospitality, Country Style
August 27, 2008
By Lois Kerr
The steady thrump-thrump-thrump of a wild turkey strutting for his mate breaks the early morning stillness, signaling the dawn of a new day at the Montana River Ranch Country Inn. A guest at the lodge parts the bedroom drapes, searching in vain for a sight of the early morning visitor. However, a glimpse of the farmland lying beyond the cottonwood trees, the beguiling call of the Missouri Breaks just up the hill from the lodge, the glittering sun already blazing in a cloudless, brilliant blue Montana sky, and the delectable aroma of fresh, home-baked cinnamon rolls wafting from the lodge’s kitchen, all gently remind the guest that time’s awasting. With all the Montana River Ranch has to offer, it’s time to get up, get dressed, start the day with a breakfast fit for royalty, then venture forth for another day of fun and adventure in eastern Montana.
The Montana River Ranch Country Inn, a magnificent six-bedroom three level log lodge, located south of Bainville in eastern Montana, serves as the starting point for the vacation of a lifetime. With its eight miles of riverfront along the Missouri River, working ranch activities, hunting, wildlife observation and photography opportunities, and its proximity to the route the Lewis and Clark expedition traveled two hundred years ago, visitors can easily spend from three days to two weeks taking advantage of all the Montana River Ranch has to offer.
Hunters fill the lodge from October through March, and visitors interested in participating in working ranch activities begin arriving in April, in time for spring planting. From April through September, working ranch guests from all over the US, Europe, and Japan come to the Montana River Ranch to visit, observe, and live the Montana life to the fullest. If they so choose, lodge guests participate in the daily ranch operations, from riding horseback and sorting cattle to branding calves, riding on tractors and other farm equipment, assisting with irrigation, and learning how farm and ranch families work the soil, care for the land, and produce the crops that feed the nation.
“We live a life that most urban people have never experienced,” says Sylvia Harmon, who, along with her husband Dean and three grown sons, owns and operates the Montana River Ranch. “We have something going on all the time. Our calving season starts in late winter, we plant the crops in April, there’s fishing in May, branding and haying in June, and beet harvest in September. Guests see how irrigation works and learn about the crops we plant and the cattle we raise.”
As hosts of the Montana River Ranch, the Harmons see themselves as ambassadors for farmers and ranchers, so they work diligently to ensure that visitors understand rural life. Many guests arrive at the ranch with misconceptions about farm life and farm living, and many of these same guests also have erroneous ideas regarding the role farmers and ranchers play in conservation and good land stewardship.
“Most guests go home with a whole new attitude,” remarks Sylvia. “Our visitors realize farming is much different than what they thought, and they can’t believe how well the farmers and ranchers look after and preserve the land and the wildlife.”
She adds, “People from Japan and Europe are extremely fascinated with our lives here in Montana.”
The Montana River Ranch offers its guests far more than riding tractors and helping with livestock and other chores. When guests tire of actual ranch work, they have dozens of places to go and things to see. Visitors can raft or canoe on the Missouri River, taking in the awesome, breath-taking beauty of the Missouri River breaks. Rafting trips allow guests to experience for themselves what Lewis and Clark saw when they first observed the eastern Montana river country.
Wildlife abounds in the area, and many guests use wildlife and the incredible scenery as focal points for stunning photographic opportunities. Visitors may explore the countryside on foot or by horseback. Fort Union and Fort Buford, two historical forts/museums within easy driving distance of the Montana River Ranch, offer historical programs and displays all summer long for interested visitors.
The Lewis and Clark expedition fascinates many of the guests who visit the Montana River Ranch. It thrills visitors when they walk in the same places Lewis and Clark walked two centuries ago.
“People like to see where Lewis and Clark traveled,” Sylvia remarks. “We believe Lewis and Clark killed their first bear on what is now our property. Readings from the journal at Fort Union indicate they killed the bear at Little Muddy, which is part of our property.”
The Harmons are working with the Historical Society to confirm the actual location of the bear kill. They will erect a marker commemorating the spot once the Historical Society provides official confirmation of their claim.
Obviously the Harmons provide a memorable experience for their guests, as the ranch boasts a 90% repeat customer rate. “I have yet to have a customer that doesn’t want to come back,” Sylvia comments. “People love the ranch, they love the peace and tranquillity. We have the scenery, the history, and the rural way of life. This is truly a place where time stands still and people can experience the past along with the present.”
Six years ago, the Harmons built their new spectacular three level log lodge. Although they kept the lodge rustic-looking in its outward appearance, they designed a very elegant interior. The richly decorated bedrooms, the lavish dining area, the modern kitchen, and the lounge in the basement all help to make guests feel pampered and special.
Sylvia, with the help of a few friends and her daughters-in-law, cooks scrumptious meals for guests. She prepares two meals a day, a Continental breakfast/brunch and a huge dinner in the evening. She prepares all her food from scratch, from her flaky melt-in-the-mouth pastry to the crumb topped cakes served warm from the oven. She also packs lunches for guests, or if the crews have a branding, she prepares an outdoor barbecue at noon to feed hungry people.
Guests also have free access to a refrigerator stocked with pop, juices, and snacks.
At the urgings of their hunter guests, three years ago the Harmons added the river rafting and the working ranch activities. “We had so many hunters who loved to watch us work the land and work the cattle,” Sylvia explains. “Some of them wanted to recreate in the summer and help us out, and they wanted to expose their children to the farm and ranch way of life.”
The working ranch concept has proved so popular that the Harmons plan to expand the lodge facilities so they can accommodate more guests. The six-bedroom lodge can sleep up to seventeen people, and as well the Harmons have billeted people in their own homes. Because of the lodge popularity, Sylvia emphasizes that people interested in visiting the ranch must make reservations ahead of time, preferably at least two months in advance of a planned visit. People who phone at the last minute face disappointment as they can expect to find the lodge completely booked. Many visitors make reservations a year in advance.
The Harmons offer several working ranch packages, from a brief overnight bed and breakfast stay to a two week working ranch vacation. Length of stay varies, depending on customer interests, although Sylvia does advise that people seldom stay just one day.
“There’s too much to do, and people can’t see enough if they only stay a day,” she points out.
People from the US generally stay from three day to a week, while foreign visitors usually plan a stay from ten days to two weeks.
A visitor package includes lodging, two meals a day, and all ranch activities. People interested in visiting the Montana River Ranch may make reservations by phoning 406-769-2500, or the toll free number 1-877-277-4084. People also may fax the Montana River Ranch at 406-769-2200, or send an e-mail to mtrivrch@nemontel.net.
Sylvia also encourages people to check their web site at www.montanariverranch.com for further information.
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