After having a blast on last year's base-sponsored trip to Bryce Canyon, we jumped at the chance to go on another one the Outdoor Recreation Office organized. We were fortunate enough to secure a slot (the last one available as it is a very popular trip) to the Parade Rest Ranch and Yellowstone National Park.
Outdoor Rec trips are great fun and always always a great deal. This particular excursion cost us $125 per adult, $75 for Dylan and Sophie each, and Liv was free. This included your family's own cabin, ALL meals (B,L,D), horseback trail rides for 8yrs and up, and corrall rides for the young'uns. Plus, they bus you over there! No driving? We're coming!
The weather forecast, however, was NOT promising. When we arrived, it was 37 degrees F and wet, wet, wet. Miserable weather. Yet, Fam Och's spirits were high. The near freezing temps could not dampen this trip! We were lucky enough (true Fam Och style) to nab the two bedroom cabin called the Homestead. It was the original cabin of the couple who founded this ranch, the firt structure erected on this property more than a century ago.
Walking into it, you can feel the rich history of the place.
The view from the porch.
The cabin was on a bluff overlooking the entire property. There were a couple of other cabins in the immediate area, the stables and the view of the lake to the west, the Gallatin National Forest to the north, and the creek and the main grounds to the south.
The BEAST
This was a love-hate thing. The wood-burning stove, our only source of heat for the cabin, was a fickle little monster...embracing our presence with quick lights and long smoldering fires one minute, then snubbing us with hours of trying to get the wood lit the next.
The girls enjoying the first day of sunshine.
The boys gearing up for another trail ride.
Miss Sophie on Oreo, the horse.
Miss Cassie, her favorite "strangler" (it's "wrangler", Sophia)
Liv was in love with the horses. No fear whatsoever. Other kids would cry screaming off these beauties, but Liv was a natural. She would hold on to the horn with one hand, and point at the sights with the other. She would lean down and stroke his mane and coo, "Good horsey." The wranglers loved her as well, and would sneak the sisters extra rides when other kids were elsewhere. They also got to pick horseshoes as souvenirs.
Look at that smile. It never came off that sweet face.
Mister D and his much calmer horse. His previous ride with his dad and another group, he got put on a restless, playful stallion. The horse would trot ahead of the others in his group and insist on being the lead horse. This time around, he could control it more.
This is me and Dylan's group coming back from the ride. We had gone up into the mountain trails, across creeks and woodland, and witnessed amazing views. It was great weather that last day, the exact opposite of the Mister and D's ride in pouring freezing rain the first day.
What an amazing trip. We hear they offer it twice a year, once in the spring, and the other in the fall. Fam Och is awaiting the announcement date for the fall trip so we can hurry and reserve our slot. We would love a repeat of this adventure!
This young man (yes, that is a gold medal around his neck, btw, for his advanced reading skills) has truly been such a blessing in our lives. He is sharp and respectful, funny and reliable, and just a great all-around person. Watching him grow into this wonderful young man he is now just melts and breaks my heart at the same time. 
What a year this has been for our kindergartener. We give full credit to this fantastic woman, Mrs. Wendy Graham, for being such a great teacher that Sophie looked forward to school each day.
One of the songs the kindergarteners sang for us. Aren't those caps adorable?
