Be … in Nature
My 2021 adventure met both distancing and novice horse/rider safety criteria while aligning with my childhood passion for horseback riding and time spent in nature. My quest for riding plus yoga led me to land in heaven on earth, otherwise known as the Wind River Valley, home of the Bitterroot Ranch in Dubois, Wyoming.
Like many of you, the COVID -19 pandemic has resulted in a shift in lifestyle; impacting work, recreation, time spent with friends and family or travel abroad. I experienced canceling my dream trip to explore Machu Pichu, not once but twice, due to travel restrictions. As dismayed as I was, I am grateful for the science and public health measures that have carried us through. Our health and livelihoods depend on it. Like many, my sights pivoted to an adventure closer to home, and where I landed was heaven on earth, Bitterroot Ranch, Wyoming.
Our trip began in Jackson Hole. We shared the honor of landing on Sept. 10th, as the entire town and a memorable mass of Marines and Armed Forces gathered to support and welcome home fallen soldier Rylee McCollum. Words cannot express the palpable grief, heartfelt loss, and outpouring of support for his family and community during this ceremonial homecoming procession.
We then ventured north to capture the magnificent Grand Teton National Park. The park includes the major peaks of the 64 km long Teton Range and most of the northern sections of the valley known as Jackson Hole. Few mountain ranges in the US rival the Tetons for raw beauty. We drove the scenic loop through the heart of Grand Teton National Park and stopped at never-ending vistas, falls, and trails. Again, we were left speechless as words failed to describe the unbridled beauty this route delivers. Incredible, magnificent views abound. Every bend of jagged lined peaks of Snake River overlook and Oxbow Bend were unforgettable.
From Grand Teton, we headed to the vast Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone was the first National Park established in 1872. We were grateful that we had packed a picnic for the road. While we managed to secure overnight accommodation within the park, there was a severe short-age of food service within Yellowstone during our stay. Yellowstone’s reputation preceded her; famous for breath-taking scenery, mountainous countryside, wildlife, waterfalls and geothermal activity – most notably, the geyser known as Old Faithful. Also, be sure not to miss the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Mammoth Hot Springs.
As spectacular as our pre-ranch road trip was, our 7-night ranch experience at Bitterroot was the main attraction. The fifty-mile drive from Yellowstone to Bitterroot Ranch leaves you in awe of Mother Nature herself. The palette of fall colors ignites as you traverse the unspoiled, mountainous wilderness and the painted hills in the Wind River Valley. The Bitterroot experience has been recognized as one of the ‘1000 Best Places to See Before You Die’ (Patricia Shultz). Bitterroot Ranch is a most welcome sight as you breathe a sigh of relief on your safe arrival after descending the switch-back gravel road. A seamless check-in into our cozy well appointed cabin left us refreshed and ready to join fellow travelers for a cold drink on the deck. Day one and the Ranch house feels as comfortable as ‘arriving home.’
The Bitterroot Ranch and neighboring Shoshone National Forest offer some of the best and most diverse horseback riding trails in North America. A cowboy mystique arises as we spend our days in the thick sagebrush meadows, where cottonwood, willows and aspens abound. Every day brought a new perspective; our knowledgeable hosts and wranglers ensured we ventured in; new directions each day. You will enjoy the constantly changing vistas as the Wind River, Absaroka Mountains and Castle Rock are sights to behold. Local wildlife and stargazing opportunities will amaze. We spotted bald eagles, deer, osprey, herds of wild mustang, and a few grizzlies during our stay. While on the ranch, be sure to make time to share in the power of the horses running free to pasture each evening, simply breath-taking.
Bitterroot Ranch will be a prime pick if you seek an adventure that horse and rider (of any level) can share together. Those searching for a great escape that delivers quality time in nature will appreciate the peace and magnitude of the valleys, rivers, and mountains. Bitterroot Ranch and the National Parks of Wyoming will undoubtedly deliver unforgettable journeys immersed in nature to refresh, restore and re-energize your soul.
I wholeheartedly concur with Bayard Fox; Wind River Country is genuinely the hidden heart of Wyoming. Wide-open spaces call on us to breathe deeply and embrace each day.
Thanks for the memories, Fox Family & Bitterroot Team, including Mariah, Garsen, and my favorite, Sun Up.
Welcome to Equitours
Photo Credit: Jeff Vanuga
5 Replies to “Be … in Nature”
I needed to thank you for this fantastic read!! I certainly loved every bit of it. I have you book-marked to check out new things you postÖ
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I don’t know who you are but definitely you’re going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I do not know who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
Wow, superb blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is magnificent, as well as the content!
Here, I’ve read some really great content. It’s definitely worth bookmarking for future visits. I’m curious about the amount of work you put into creating such a top-notch educational website.