A Great Family Vacation for All Ages

A Great Family Vacation for All Ages

If you are lucky enough to have adult kids still willing to travel with you, and if you happen to know of Nine Quarter Circle Ranch in Montana, then you have the makings of a fantastic vacation. If you have young kids, even better. And if you have no kids, then that's fine, too.

We just returned from a week at the ranch with our two adult children--ages 24 and 26. It was unlike any vacation we've taken before, and we all agree that it was one of our best ever. Here are a few reasons why:

>You will be awed. Montana is breathtakingly beautiful. I challenge anyone to NOT have a spiritual experience just standing and looking at the mountains.

>You will be well taken care of. The ranch has been in existence for a century (yes, a century), which has given the Kelsey family plenty of time to get things right. Everyone from the wranglers who lead the trail rides to the cooks in the kitchen knows exactly what they're doing.

>You will make friends. A brilliant ever-changing seating plan ensures that each meal time is a chance to meet fellow guests and bond over your latest trail ride, hike, or fishing adventure.

>You will learn to fish and/or ride a horse. If you already know how to do these things, you will learn how to do them better.

>You will eat well. Fancy food this is not, but it is authentic and fabulous and makes you feel like your grandmother or elderly aunt has taken command of the kitchen. A few highlights: lemon cake, revel bars, cheesy corn, rib eye, biscuits.

>You will laugh as you have not laughed in a long time. Whether at the daily happy hour or the fireside sing-a-long, prepare to laugh so much it hurts.

>You will challenge yourself. Two-hour daily trail rides, as well as a few all-day rides, offer ample opportunity to explore the glorious countryside and up your riding game.

>You will get to play. At 53 years of age, I did not think that barrel riding was in my future. At the ranch, it is. And it is great fun.

Go! We'll see you there.