CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT : NEUBAUER MEDIA ; JESSE VARNADO ; 3RD STREET PHOTOGRAPHY |
woman Sacagawea , who aided the Lewis and Clark expedition ; William Clark gave the boy the nickname Pomp , short for Pompey . The restaurant offers “ refined rustic ranch ” dishes , which change with the seasons and feature local ingredients . Consider potato and wild onion soup with Oregon black truffle , spot prawn ceviche , filet mignon or dry-aged bison rib-eye with roasted red potatoes , grilled asparagus and smoked herb butter , or cedar plank salmon with morel mushrooms , fiddleheads and peas .
BIG SKY ADVENTURES In between eating and relaxing , the resort offers a plethora of guided activities . From archery to trap shooting , equestrian outings and canoeing , it ’ s like summer camp on steroids .
For experienced horsemen and women , as well as those who have never stepped foot in a stirrup , there are seemingly endless opportunities to hop in the saddle and explore the surrounding Rocky Mountain wilderness . Sign up for a trail ride through conifer forests and past ponds and wide open meadows , or take part in an authentic cattle drive over the area ’ s rugged landscape , wrangling and moving herds of 800- pound Corriente cows into pastures .
There are also arena lessons for kids and adults , pony rides , team penning and a Junior Wrangler Program . Or take a horse whispering workshop aimed at building mutual trust and respect between the human and animal : Tailored to each individual , participants work with a ranch horse , an adopted mustang or even an entire herd of horses , learning to adjust body language to get the desired response .
For a different kind of riding , climb into an ATV for a guided drive across the ranch . Kick up the dust while powering over hills and steering past fields and trees . There are also places along the path to park and scramble up the rocks to a lookout with views of the river .
For those who want to be out on the water , try your hand at fly-fishing for western trout on the legendary Blackfoot , Clearwater or Missouri rivers in this “ golden triangle .” Step into a raft with elevated seats for a better vantage point and let one of the resort ’ s patient guides take you through the basics of casting and reeling in a fish — or help take your skills to the next level . Relax as you float down the river , then experience the rush of adrenaline when you feel a tug on the line .
With these kinds of Montana adventures , you ’ ll have memories that last a lifetime and stories to share for years to come — including hooking that fish , which likely gets bigger every time you tell the tale . /
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WHILE YOU ’ RE HERE After flying into Missoula , Montana , or while waiting for your flight home , make sure to take a tour of the Smokejumper Visitor Center , which is located right at the airport . Missoula is home to the country ’ s largest base for smokejumpers , specially trained firefighters who jump from planes to make an initial attack on remote wildland blazes .
The free tour includes a visit to the ready room , smokejumper loft and the National Smokejumper Memorial . The museum also includes a fire lookout tower built in 1930 and , during summer months , smokejumper aircraft are also on-site . Visitors might even see smokejumpers being
Joan Zen performs at Union Club Bar and Grill .
dispatched to a fire . ( 406- 329-4934 ; visitmt . com )
On your drive up to the resort , consider stopping at Wild Skies Raptor Center , which is open only by appointment with at least 24 hours ’ notice , so call ahead and schedule a visit to learn about the nonprofit ’ s raptor conservation and rehabilitation efforts . From hawks to owls , the center treats injured birds and releases them back into the wild once they ’ re ready . The center also has 14 “ ambassador ” raptors , which live there as part of an education and outreach program . ( 406-210-3468 ; wildskies . org )
To hear some tunes , head to Top Hat Lounge , a historic music venue that features local performers and national touring artists . Free concerts can be found here nearly every week and it ’ s also a modern gastropub where you can enjoy a cocktail and dishes like the carne asada burger , lemon coconut curry mussels or spicy
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From left : Enjoy music , food and drinks at Top Hat Lounge ; check out Wild Skies Raptor Center ’ s hawks and owls .
jerk chicken wrap while soaking in the music . ( Top Hat Lounge : 406-728-9865 ; logjampresents . com )
Or check out the Union Club Bar and Grill , with local bands , a dance floor , food and drinks in Union Hall , a downtown landmark that has been around for more than a century . ( Union Club Bar and Grill : 406-728-7980 ; union clubbarandgrill . com )
If country music is more your speed , make your way to the Sunrise Saloon and Casino on Thursdays , Fridays and Saturdays . ( Sunrise Saloon and Casino : 406-728-1559 ; sunrisesaloonandcasino . com ) Beer lovers will want to stop at Big Sky Brewing Co . to try a glass beer like Moose Drool , an American brown ale , or a pale ale called Space Goat . Tours are also available by calling ahead and the brewery sponsors a summer concert series on select dates , with artists like Nickel Creek and Dwight Yoakam , at an amphitheater right outside the brewery . ( Big Sky Brewing Co .: 406-549-2777 ; bigskybrew . com )
Another option for drinks and entertainment is Draught Works Brewery , with a wrap-around patio to relax on while sipping one of 19 handcrafted brews on draft — plus wine , cider , seltzer , kombucha , root beer and nonalcoholic beer . Live music is presented three times a week and there ’ s a dedicated kids space , making it a family-friendly environment . ( Draught Works Brewery : 406-541-1592 ; draughtworksbrewery . com )
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LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE 77 |