BIG SKY – Cattle drives, like everything else, are what you
make of them. At least that’s what Colonel Charles Goodnight determined when he
invented the “chuckwagon.”
“Chuck” Goodnight, dubbed “father of the Texas panhandle,”
is one of those good ol’ Texas cowboys that served as inspiration for the likes
of Tommy Lee Jones’ Woodrow Call and Paul Newman’s Butch Cassidy—unlike the
actors, however, Goodnight was probably tougher than a piece of boot leather.
His life as one of America’s preeminent cattle drivers, moving steer from Texas
into western markets like Montana, would have made him so.
But this doesn’t mean Goodnight didn’t appreciate a little
bit of luxury, if not for himself then for the competitive advantage it
provided in recruiting a good crop of cowboys to staff his booming enterprise.
The savvy Goodnight purchased a Civil War munitions wagon,
equivalent to a modern day tank in its constitution, and outfitted the vehicle
with a state-of-the-art kitchen.
Voila: the food truck is born.
Goodnight’s innovation was not only efficient in feeding his
men hearty and delicious meals, but also provided them with the water cooler of
antiquity, a place to gab and exchange “windies,” that is, tall tales, after an
honest day’s work.
At the 320 Guest Ranch’s Chuckwagon BBQ, you won’t find the
hardships Goodnight and crew faced—blistering heat waves, breath-snatching
colds and arduous mountain passes—but you will find the reminiscent trappings of
those times of old.
The experience begins with a horse-drawn wagon ride, touring
the ranch grounds under the guidance of cowboys to which Goodnight would’ve
tipped a hat.
It brings you to the banks of the Gallatin River where piles of hot steaks and grilled chicken await, complemented by fixings you simply need: potato salad, cabbage slaw, ears of corn and baked beans, to name a few.
Be sure to wash it all down with a beer or whiskey while the
ranch guitarist plays acoustic covers, new and old. It’s what Goodnight would
have done.
“This is something that’s been successful for a lot of
years,” said Sara Offutt, the ranch’ s conference services manager . “We have
yard games and horseshoes out there too. It really sets the scene for the good
old days—where kids have a space to run around, and a place where parents can
sit by the river and relax.”
For parents and ranch guests without children, it’s easy to
slip into a childlike mindset; the horses, flowing river, chirping birds, live
music and good barbecue make it happen.
And if those don’t do the trick, sit by the campfire and
round out the experience with a s’more.
Chuckwagon BBQs are available at 320 Guest Ranch every Wednesday evening, all summer long. A two-hour horseback ride is also available to customers. For pricing and to make a reservation, visit 320ranch.com
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019:4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
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Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep inward journey and peak state experience. This experience can activate and clear the chakras, release trauma, reset the nervous system, connect us with higher consciousness, and help us achieve self-actualization. No prior experience is necessary. Register at santoshabigsky.com/workshops-special-events
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm