Wisdom and Grace: Raised in the Saddle – Part 4

To my dearest and beloved grandchildren,

I know in my last letter to you I said that that one would be my last about growing up riding horses. But the other night Grandpa and I were sitting outside enjoying a cool evening after a very hot summer's day. As you know, from where we live just off the Amos Trail, we have a wonderful view of the Bear Paw Mountains. They are probably 35 miles away.

Grandpa (from Wyoming and Nebraska) asked "Now, what do they call that tall mountain in the middle?" Having lived here for 26 years, I'm sure he knew the answer to his question. He was searching for my response.

"Mount Baldy," I answered.

"Not 'Old Baldy" ... "New Baldy'?" he probed.

"Nope. As far as I can remember, it's always been just Baldy. I've been to the top."

And then as we sat there, my mind went back to 1961 and I remembered another "horse story" that I wanted to share with you. It's not scary and it isn't something that will ever go down in the annuls of history. It's just a good memory that your grandma wants to share with you.

It must have been during Junior Week at Bear Paw Christian Service Camp because my brother Delbert and my good friend Cynthia Couch didn't go with us. I'm thinking mid-July.

Dad put the stock rack on the grain truck and loaded up our horses Roxie, Rosie and Midge for himself, my sister Myrna and myself. Then we headed to our neighbor's, the Couch Family, and picked up Blondie and Tony for Phyllis and Calvin. It must have been a packed cab as the five of us headed south to the Bear Paw Mountains and Old Baldy. We not only had our saddles (strapped to the stock rack sides) and bridles with us but some sort of bedding and clothes for the next day ... and some food.

My dad was a friend of Keith Edwards whom he had met through a mutual preacher friend Clayton Kent. Keith had a lease on land on the southwest portion of Old Baldy and ran cattle there. I can't begin to tell you the location of where that land is today.

With a packed cab and five horses, the five of us made our way to the place Mr. Edwards had given us permission to be. We arrived in the late afternoon and got settled in for the night. I had never slept out under the stars but I can still remember the clear summer night with all the bright stars and a full moon. It was not easy to fall asleep but nestled between my sister Myrna and our friend Phyllis, the excitement for the next day was soon taken over by the exhaustion of the present day.

Before I knew it, the sun had risen and Dad was beckoning for us to rise and shine. We ate a quick breakfast and saddled our horses.

Dad rode Roxie, followed by Myrna on Rosie, then came Calvin on Tony and Phyllis on Blondie. I brought up the rear on my trusty Shetland pony, Midge. I recall going through a large pasture and then following a fence line. It seemed like we rode and rode and still we weren't very close to the summit. But eventually we made it to the top.

Oh! How I wish I could share the view that we had! It was a beautiful summer day, very clear. It seemed as though we could see forever. Dad identified various geographic places that we saw: the Missouri Breaks, the Little Rockies and north past the Milk River to where we lived.

I think that was the first time that I truly appreciated the beauty of God's creation. My gratitude for this beautiful area that we are honored to live in was magnified. We are so blessed to live in a region with beautiful prairies, coulees, rivers and mountains so close. It is absolutely awesome!

Before we knew it, it was time to mount up and leave. Dad passed the canteen and then simply said, "Don't forget."

Well Dad, I haven't forgotten and I never will. I'm sure as you were growing up in the Simpson area, you gazed at the beautiful Bear Paw Mountains and dreamed of traveling to the top of Old Baldy. Probably you were able to check it off your Bucket List. Thank you for sharing that experience with us.

Well, dear grandchildren, I hope you will have many life-changing experiences. I understand that access to climbing Old Baldy is restricted now. You probably won't be able to ascend Mount Baldy but there will be many other mountains to climb, both literally and figuratively. My advice is: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5 and 6

So, what do you say? Let's saddle up and go for a ride across the beautiful prairies. We'll look to the west and see the Sweetgrass Hills, and then to the east and view the Cherry Ridge. But we'll stop and gaze at the Bear Paw Mountains and we will lift our hands and say, "Thank you God for the beautiful area we live in!"

"I will lift up my eyes unto the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth!" Psalm 121:1 and 2.

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Ila McClenahan is a retired chaplain and activity director living in the Amos Trail area north of Havre, Montana. She keeps busy writing, speaking at various events, volunteering and trying to be a good grandmother, mother and wife.