Experiencing Big Sky Country
When I was young, my family used to take yearly trips to a rural ranch in the middle of Montana. Being like most young boys, I was entrenched in my video games and TV shows, so being isolated in the wilderness for a few days was probably a good thing. Some of my most vivid memories of these family vacations are the daylong horse trips that we would take through the majestic Midwest countryside.
Although I enjoyed the ride, like most city kids I was ill prepared to face the realities of the wild. During most of our trips, I lacked the proper horse riding equipment and apparel and was subjected to several chafes and blisters. I also have nightmares about the large horse flies that were so strong that they could bite you through the denim of your jeans. Despite these painful events, I still cherish my Montana memories.