It seems as though
Montana is on everyone's itinerary these days, especially the
town of Big Sky. Located in the southwest corner of the state,
just south of Bozeman, this little piece of paradise seems to
have it all. This is a four season destination and it's easy to
fall in love with the mountains, the rivers and the people. After
all, this is where the movie A River Runs Through It was
filmed.
I stayed at the Big
EZ Lodge and was pampered beyond belief. The Lodge, built two
years ago, is the cherished project of husband and wife team Steve
and Donna Stockton-Hicks. They selected a location for its perfect
view of the Madison Mountain range and then built a 12 bedroom,
one suite lodge. The structure is made with Lodgepole Pines taken
from the property itself.
Donna, an interior
designer who is presently working on actor Dennis Quaid's home
located just over the ridge, put her heart and talent into making
the Lodge the type of place where guests can wander into the great
room, throw their feet up and sip a single malt scotch whisky.
Working with local architect Frank Cikan, Steve and Donna employed
local artisans to ensure that the flavor of Big Sky was evident
at the Big EZ.
Donnna Stockton-Hicks
said, "I wanted to use the artisans of Montana as much as possible.
David Fjeld, who did the stained and etched glass, is located
in Bozeman and the timber framing contractors were from the area.
Stonemason Bill Ward who lived on-site for three years. We really
got to know the artisans and the wonderful, talented people in
Montana."
When I first entered
the lodge I stepped into the "Circle of Life" anteroom where a
circle of pines supports a wooden valance hand-painted by Julia
Dworschak. Julia painted all the animals indigenous to Montana,
as well as trees that grow on the property. On the floor inside
the circle is a marble and slate star shaped like the star of
a compass. In the center of the great room is the most magnificent
fireplace built of river stones which were placed to resemble
bear claws.
Big EZ Chef John Rolfe
and sous chef Chris Kimmell are known for their culinary
artistry with game. I tried caribou, bison, and a roulade
of free range chicken, rabbit, and quail that was a five-star
treat. I did some fly-fishing with local guide and expert Jeff
Labbe from East Slope Anglers, in one of the two stocked ponds
on site and caught a Rainbow Trout, which I promptly released.
The lodge also offers
a fully equipped workout room and when I heard they could arrange
on-site treatments and classes such as yoga, Pilates, facials,
massages, and salt scrubs, I opted for a massage. Lianne arrived
with table in hand, which she set up in my huge bedroom. She played
some wonderful new age music, and used aromatic lotions throughout
the massage. It was blissful. She managed to work out all the
kinks in what I call my "mouse arm" -- the one I use to move around
my computer mouse. This was more luxury than a woman could expect
in this elegant wilderness.
Big EZ Lodge is only
15 minutes from the entrance to Yellowstone National Park, the
first national park in the world. So Saturday morning I set out
to see just one of the five regions or "countries" located in
this 2.2 million acre park -- Geyser Country. My guide, nationally
known biologist, Kevin Sanders, is called the "Bearman." With
his knowledge of the park and animals, I was able to learn a great
deal in a short period of time.
Built on an active
volcano, Yellowstone has 10,000 hydrothermal features that bubble
and seethe from below its thin crust. We visited boiling mud pots
that sent up so much nontoxic steam that I felt as if I was in
a sauna. And we visited Old Faithful who spews thousands of gallons
on water into the sky with each eruption. Park rangers post the
time when this world famous geyser will blow, and she has rarely
missed an eruption during the more than 120 years of observation.
She lets off steam first and then let's her blow approximately
every 81 minutes.
I stayed at the new
Old Faithful Snow Lodge with their award-winning accommodations,
and visited the original Old Faithful Lodge built in 1903-04,
when guests would arrive by stage coach. The center room at the
Old lodge is a must-see, open to the sky and approximately eight
stories high, the Lodgepole Pines and the 500 ton stone fireplace
speak of another in time in the history of this park.
Skiers love Big Sky
Resort because with 18 lifts accessing 100 runs, there are no
lines and there is no wait. I rode the gondola to the top of Lone
Star Mountain and looked out upon this area first conceived and
built by newsman Chet Huntley. Shopping, accommodations, golf,
fly-fishing, spa, and skiing make this a wonderful year-round
destination. Local places to eat include the Corral Bar, featured
in many a western movie, and the Big Horn Cafe, where ice cream
flavors include Montana Moose Moss and Moose Tracks, both delicious.
Side
Bar: Websites mentioned in this story >>
Susan Purdy is a freelance
writer specializing in travel, food, and lifestyle. She is a member
of the American Society of Journalists and Authors and her work
has appeared in many publications including the Saturday Evening
Post, Brides, Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Meridian, Ms., Woman’s
World, First for Women, Country Accents, and Country Inns. Susan
Purdy can be emailed at Suepur@aol.com
for comments and questions.
