Dear Gene,

In late September, Marie Duncan of Horse Prairie Ranch asked if I'd pass along some comments about my husband's and my experience there this summer. I fear I am too late for any deadlines you might have (my mother took ill late September and passed away in October, putting me a couple months behind on my promises).

But if there is any way I can still share with others the exceptional hospitality, first rate food and accommodations and remarkable ranch experience of HPR, I'd be grateful if you could please please find a way to share the news.

Let me begin by noting that my husband and I are late 40's, late 50's, and are well traveled around the world. We've had our share of adventures, from gliders over the Napa Valley, hot air ballooning over the Midwest, hiking deep into the earth's darkness in the caves of Southwest France to see 25,000 year old cave paintings, bareboat sailing from rough and cold Lake Superior to the ocean tides and swells of the Caribbean and more.

Yet our experience at Horse Prairie Ranch stands out as one of the most heartwarming, adventuresome, invigorating and transformational "vacations" we've had.

We ourselves have talked a lot about why. After all, we are certainly not experienced riders: beginners is the best level to describe us especially compared to the other guests at HPR. And being private and introverted types we were uncomfortable knowing ahead of time that at HPR we'd be with a group everyday for meals, activities and long rides.

But we signed up anyway: Rick, my husband, had long wanted to learn to ride. I've been a Lewis and Clark fanatic for 40 years. And from checking out various ranch websites, Rick found in HPR the chance to please both of our respective interests in a setting that also appealed to both of us: Montana. I think the thing that especially appealed to us was that HPR promised an "authentic" experience--not one that was "faked" for guests or was what I'd call a "dude" ranch for city slickers with trail rides just for the heck of it. The impression we got (and it was accurate) was that HPR was a working ranch where cattle were the center of the work day, not the guests. That appealed to us.

From the moment we signed up it was apparent that HPR was a first class operation: All communications were thorough, well orchestrated. Last minute calls on what to pack and more were cordially received. We were greeted upon arrival by Marie as if we were old friends. And I remarked to my husband as we got back into our car after registering that "I like her. She is so sincere."

Our cabin accommodations were like a small apartment--sparkling clean, beautifully appointed, smartly laid out and strategically equipped with its own washer and dryer for clothes left dusty after a day's work.

Expecting meals of tough meat, unhealthy fatty food and little variety (recalling a brief ranch experience in Colorado) we instead experienced a week of some of the best cooking of our entire lives: Creative recipes, delicious choices, plenty of fruits and vegetables, all in bounteous quantity. I'd go back to HPR for a week just to eat!

And as for riding--well, the HPR staff paid careful attention to our riding skills, size and weight and outfitted us with horses suitable for our needs. And perhaps most smartly of all, while they checked out our riding skills the first day, coaching us as need be, after that we were on our own to ride and care for our horses unless we asked for help. This gave us an unexpected sense of dignity and self-reliance that as novice riders, gave us confidence to do far more than we expected.

And do more than expected--we did! We got a chance to observe and participate first hand in the dust, the sounds, the rustling and range-roving of cattle and ranching. From the round ups to driving the herd down from the high hills in a thunderstorm, I describe it as sort of an "Outward Bound experience" that in addition to giving me some great stories to tell has changed my self concept for the better.

But while the great food sustained us, and the "Outward Bound" experience grew our character, what was really transformational about the HPR experience for Rick and me was the people of HPR. They worked together with such mutual respect and affection. They worked as an ensemble--whether on the range riding and fencing, or at night all cleaning up the aftermath of dinner. They worked long hard days. Yet they still had time to care about the smallest calf or this weeks' transient guest from Wisconsin or France.

We felt they took a real and sincere and non-judgmental interest in each of us as human beings (a rarity in this world today where people are so busy and so often anxious to feel superior to each other). From day one the entire staff of HPR radiated to each of us as individuals a--well, I don't know how else to describe it without sounding corny-- but they radiated to each of us a sort of love. A sense of community with a capital C. Funny, I've seldom felt as "at home" as when I was vacationing with the staff of HPR --living a life about as different as I could get from my usual life.

So there you have our story, Gene. Its the tale of two middle aged midwesterners with our own small, successful, demanding business, kids grown, in search of a vacation from our everyday world. Off a website, we chose a cattle ranch in Montana. We had a terrific time--loved the scenery, still dream about the food, take every opportunity to tell friends about the cattle drives. We've encouraged countless friends to give it a try, too.

But between ourselves, what Rick and I still talk most about is the people of HPR--the benchmark they set for a sense of gracious humanity--the way they made us feel about them, about the other guests, about ourselves. That was totally unexpected. In all our travels and business dealings, it is totally unique to our HPR experience. And it sustains us still. Sort of a constant little vacation of the heart.

And how many people can say that about vacations that happened to them months and months ago?

I'd welcome any questions you'd have, Gene. Or if there is anything more I can do to help you with your need for information, please don't hesitate to email me or call.

Sincerely,

Marsha Lindsay