Wagon ride takes travelers to dinner in a tipi

By Pat Hansen - 07/12/2008

For the past five summers, Bruce Anfinson and his family have hosted dinners at Moose Meadow Tipi on the ranch, located south of Helena. People access the tipi via horse-drawn wagons.

The historic past is brought to life as horses’ hooves clop, clop, clop on the roadway, and wagons roll through a forest of tall evergreens and shimmering quaking aspens.

Rounding a bend, we enter an idyllic sun-washed mountain glade with two large tipis and a cabin.

An enchanted evening at the Last Chance Ranch is just beginning. Amid the beauty of this lovely spot guests will eat a gourmet prime rib dinner and be entertained by Montana’s musical ambassador, singer-songwriter Bruce Anfinson.

Anfinson, a native of Great Falls, might be considered the Charlie Russell of music because he delights in sharing his love of history and Montana’s beauty with visitors through stories and songs.

“I enjoy people and showing them a little piece of Montana,” he said. “They get the real McCoy up here because I don’t try to paint anything that isn’t real.” The Boone family home- steaded the ranch 102 years ago, and it’s now owned by Anfinson. For the past five summers he and his family have hosted dinners at Moose Meadow Tipi on the ranch, located south of Helena, beyond Unionville.

Words from his title song, “Home is Where Montana Is — where the coyote howls and the wind blows free” are epitomized by a painting of a coyote howling at the moon emblazoned on the exterior of the 30-foot diameter Moose Meadow Tipi — Montana’s largest lodge.

Inside, the atmosphere was relaxed with candles flickering on the rustic hand-hewn log tables and friendly conversation as strangers from far and near got acquainted.

Dinner, prepared by Miles Anfinson, Bruce’s son, featured fresh green salad, tender prime rib, pan-roasted red potatoes du jour, sautéed spring vegetables, fresh, hot rolls, huckleberry cheesecake and pots of steaming cowboy coffee.

Anfinson’s favorite foods — huckleberries, fresh-baked bread and homegrown tomatoes — have inspired his songwriting muse to create popular signature food songs, a perfect accompaniment to dinner.

Anfinson began playing the guitar and singing when he was in junior high school; since then he has traveled the world entertaining audiences. For more than an hour he captivated our group with cowboy poetry, original songs and ballads.

“We love Montana, the friendly people, fresh air, and the mountains — it’s so beautiful,” said Steve and Diane Wilson of North Carolina. “Bruce tells the story of Montana, what it’s all about when he sings about the Great Divide and his father’s saddle. This is heaven on earth.” All too soon, the distant mountains turned purple and an evening of Western fun drew to a close. We climbed aboard the wagons and headed back to ranch headquarters and the bus that took us down the mountain to Helena.

Whether you are vacationing in Montana or if you live here, Last Chance Ranch Wagonride dinners and entertainment are a delightful snapshot of Montana’s historic past.

— Correspondent Pat Hansen may be reached via e-mail at phansen@blackfoot.net.

If you go Reservations for Last Chance Ranch Wagonride Dinners can be made June through September by calling 442-2884, (800) 505-2884 or at www.lastchance-ranch.biz.

The price of $69 per person includes bus transportation to the ranch and back to Helena, dinner and entertainment. If you are having a reunion party, a group tour, business dinner or any other special occasion, call for more information.