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Let's Bale Hay
Most ranches in this area have switched from older rectangular hay bales to large cylindrical ones (what, didn't you know that?), but rectangular ones make great pews. We sat on bales beside creek and sang "Amazing Grace" as several of our hosts played guitars and violins. Rancher Terry Terland conducted informal service and compared Christ's protection of his flock of believers to dedication of today's ranchers. He also read a passage from Jack Terry's "The Great Trail Ride" describing courage and loyalty of American cowboys, who often risked their own lives to protect their bosses' livestock. "They rode for brand," Terry said.
Did I mention ranch stays are a hands-on experience? After church we got a closer look at hay-baling operation. Guest Miki, from Tokyo, Japan, drove tractor under Matt's tutelage: she gathered up several rows of mown hay with towed baler and then released cylindrical bale behind tractor. Comparing her creation to sushi, we called it a "Miki roll."
With that, it was time for lunch.
The historic Grand Hotel was built in 1890 in nearby town of Big Timber. Before enjoying a delicious lunch in dining room, we looked at some wonderful black-and-white photographs by local artist Barbara Van Cleve. At Crazy Mountain Museum, lifelong resident Betty Jarrett gave us a sense of area's family history. How many places have sixth- and seventh-generation ranches and businesses? The museum featured lots of old photos, many showing ancestors of folks we were meeting on our visit. Rancher Leo Cremer showed me his great-grandfather's ornate saddle from his days as a rodeo producer. "I feel like a newcomer, since I'm only fourth generation," Leo grinned.
Is it okay to yell "Play!" in a crowded firehouse? In nearby town of Livingston, we saw an old-fashioned Vaudeville performance at Firehouse 5 Playhouse. Re-established here in 1990, it featured eight enthusiastic singers, many of them local kids from university in Bozeman. Their musical skits ranged from moderately serious (four ladies harmonizing "Don't Fence Me In") to hilariously absurd (an English dungeon scene with really bad Cockney accents). This theater survives in rural area because so many people, from Bozeman to Billings, know performers personally.
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