I sing for the animals. Out of the earth I sing for them. A Horse nation I sing for them. Out of the earth I sing for them, the animals I sing for them.
–Teton Sioux
United in Light Draft Horse Sanctuary
Category: Local Know-how
The Sheepherders
I live in Sweet Grass County. The high school is known as the Sheepherders. And yes, this is their mascot. Yep.
Evidently a few years ago there was discussion about the sheepherder and the fact that he is smoking – this is when Big Timber was getting a new water tower and the mascot would be going on the tower. I guess the vote was to keep this old guy as is. Is he fantastic or WHAT?!
Big Timber’s history is grounded in the sheep herding industry: in 1895 Big Timber had the largest wool market in the United States. There is a very strong Norwegian influence here, many residents are still of Norwegian descent and discussion of this permeates many conversations. There is much good humored banter about Norwegian characteristics and mannerisms. Lefse, a traditional soft Norwegian flat bread, is often made during the holidays.
Crazy Mountains
And when it comes to making the beautiful Ma nature has man beat all ways from the ace and that old lady still owns a lot of Montana.
–C.M. Russell
These are the Crazy Mountains. They are just North of Big Timber, and are often called the Crazies. To the South are the Absaroka & Beartooth Mountains – the ranch where I worked, Hawley Mountain Guest Ranch, is nestled deep in the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness area. Notice the sagebrush in the foreground of this picture – it is prevalent in lots of Sweet Grass County and smells so good!
Fun fact: Big Timber was named for the many cottonwood trees that lined the rivers close to town – the Yellowstone River just North, and the Boulder River which is South of town. Visit the Chamber of Commerce site at www.bigtimber.com to find out more about the area and the naming of the Crazy Mountains.
Big Timber Sheriff’s Report 4
These excerpts of “On the Record” from the Big Timber Pioneer weekly paper are from years ago when I managed at Hawley Mountain Ranch – I captured a few postings back then that I thought were noteworthy of life in our small Montana town. Enjoy!
- A resident of east Fourth Ave reported her collarless little black kitten with big green eyes was missing
- Services were rendered when a caller requested an officer make sure the door of the Civic Center was locked.
- An officer was unable to locate some kids hanging around between the car wash and storage units, “acting weird”.
- An officer responded when a caller reported a U-Haul truck was all over the road in the westbound lane of I-90, mm387. The responder explained the man was trying to read a map and drive.
- No action was ultimately required when a woman reported she had placed her wallet under the seat of her vehicle while doing some volunteer work; when she returned it was not there. She later called back to report she had found the wallet underneath the gas pedal of her car.
Big Timber Sheriff’s Report 3
Weather dictates much of the news in this area (or…..most of Montana). Drifting snow and fierce wind play roles during this week’s report. A snow storm often isn’t the main problem, its the drifting that happens a few days afterward. And the wind – the WIND! It’s a four letter word that holds a strong presence in this region. Highway I-90 closes multiple times a year due to wind. I drove by a semi that had blown over – and it hadn’t just plunked down beside the road. It had sailed a good 10 or 15 feet, and the driver was literally walking on the side of the cargo load.
Big Timber Pioneer 1/5/17 “On the Record”
12/25 – A driver reported a large drift near the sixth mile marker on Maine Boulder Rd. Dispatch notified the Montana Dept. of Transportation, which reported they would clear the drift as soon as they could.
12/30 –A caller on Bramble Street reported they were concerned for their neighbors, whose door had been open for a few hours. No lights were on in the home, they said. A deputy responded to the location and reported everything was fine – they had a new door knob and the wind possibly blew the door open.
12/31 – A driver reported the wind was blowing them around on 1-90 near mile marker 369 and requested an escort to town. A reserve deputy escorted the driver to town.
Skijoring
Have you had the thrill of watching a skijoring competition? Many Western states embrace the sport throughout the winter, including Montana – it combines two essential activities of Montanans: horseback riding and skiing. Horse and rider race around a track at full speed, pulling a skier who goes through a course of jumps, gates and rings. I’ve attended two events, one in Bozeman, and one in Red Lodge (there wasn’t much snow that year in Red Lodge as you can see – it was a muddy mess!). It is really fun to watch and a great social event. Only in the West could you find this type of sport!!
Welcome to the Boulder River Valley
“If you want the big hills that wear white robes and where the teeth of the world tear holes in the clouds the trail to my lodge is not grass grown and my pipe will be lit for you.” –C.M. Russell
We call it “the Old Red River House”. I live down there to the left, along the Big Rock Fishing Access lane that goes to the Boulder River. The Crazy Mountains you can see behind that ridge there on the other side of the river. All those big cottonwoods you see are along the river.
Home sweet home! Walk out any of the three doors of my little house, pause and listen ——the murmur of the Boulder River can be heard summer and winter.
Sonny was my parents beautiful Corgi, who came to Montana the last 4 years of his life. We hung out a lot – he was such a good companion!