Little Bear…

…cabin! I know, last week it was teddy bear cholla, this week, Little Bear cabin, so next week? Goldilocks?

Three bears would love to live here
Three bears would love to live here

It won’t be about bears, real or otherwise, I promise. But back to this week! Little Bear cabin is where we stayed recently on the return leg of our road trip. Just outside Bozeman, Montana, this cabin has to be about the most perfect cabin imaginable. Or at least, in my imagination. Original, yet in a good state of repair? Yup! Isolated, but not too hard to get to? Certainly! Wonderful views on all sides? Definitely! Less than $35 a night to rent it? Unbelievably, yes!

Isolated yet reachable
Isolated yet reachable

For less than many a campground fee, you can stay in a pretty as a picture cabin. Keep warm by the fire pit in decent evening weather, or remain warm by the wood stove inside during less friendly weather. Does it have modern conveniences like indoor plumbing and wifi? Nope! But if you’re ok with an outhouse, and can make do with a solar shower, and don’t mind your beer being a little warmer towards the end of your stay, then you’ll do just fine up at Little Bear. When we got back, I sent my brother a couple of pictures, and an invite to join us next time. I do understand that places like these aren’t for everybody…

The
The “shower” tree (be honest, isn’t that better than an indoor bathroom? In summertime anyway)

If you’re more like my brother, you might find it a struggle. His definition of outdoors is being more than 30 minutes from pizza delivery, and he’d prefer his bathrooms to be attached to the main building. And for the building to have more than one room, and appliances that require a remote. (I’ve tried several times to get him along on a camping trip, but to no avail. I’d even let him bring a remote or two as a comforter, so he can adjust gently…)

You could easily reheat a pizza
You could easily reheat a pizza

To be fair, he did join me for a few nights in a cabin some years back. We were visiting another brother in WV, and I may have oversold how comfortable the cabin was. It did have an indoor bathroom and a rudimentary kitchen – with a real fridge. Luxury! But I might have skipped over the heat, humidity, bugs and mice part. He was flying in from the UK, so the look on his face when he arrived was priceless. As was the squealing and shoe throwing and interesting vocabulary throughout that first night when he confronted the mouse. And the second night. And third. Happy memories…He’s a really good sport, but has a long memory, and, as brothers should, he holds a grudge. So camping likely won’t be happening any time soon, or a trip to Little Bear. Oh well!

A wood shed is way better than a television!
A wood shed is way better than a television!

We weren’t plagued by mice, the bug count was low, and the beer remained tolerably cool. The days drifted by delightfully – daydreaming, have a beer, reading, have a beer, writing, have a beer, dozing, and daydreaming some more. Maybe even have a beer. Idle and not so idle chit chat; a wonderful chance to while away some time free of any outside influences or concerns.

Maybe even have a beer
Maybe even have a beer

Thank you Little Bear – I honestly do believe that we all should have a Little Bear in our lives, with the chance to truly unwind and breathe deeply. It doesn’t have to be on top of a mountain in Montana, but if it is, well, so much the better!

imageThanks for reading! As ever, please feel free to comment or share a story, and keep your guy ropes secure.

Published by

plaidcamper

I am a would be outdoorsman - that is if I had more time, skills and knowledge. When I can, I love being outdoors, just camping, hiking, snowboarding, xc skiing, snowshoeing, paddling a canoe or trying something new. What I lack in ability, I make up for in enthusiasm and having a go. I'd never really survive for long out there in the wild, but I enjoy pretending I could if I had to...

20 thoughts on “Little Bear…”

    1. First time we stayed there, we couldn’t believe it, simply wonderful. It doesn’t get old, that’s for sure. I love the area all around Bozeman. If we weren’t fortunate enough to be living in Western Canada, the whole Gallatin part of Montana could easily tempt us.
      Have a great weekend!

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  4. Looks like a perfectly isolated delightful place to unwind. I, too, have siblings who are not into the isolation scene, but what’s great is that your wife enjoys these places with you. What a great paradise you found! 😀

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    1. You’re so right – it doesn’t get much better than finding somewhere special and sharing it with your partner (especially when she’s happy to be a little lost in the wilds!)
      Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. I think it would be a great place to spend a summer and fall. Winter? If you’re fit and can ski, and can figure out supplies (Malbec is heavy!), winter might be fun. The road is closed about 10 miles short of the cabin once the snow flies, and it’s all uphill…so for now, I think our visits will be summer only!
      Thanks for reading and commenting, and have a great weekend!

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  6. I definitely could handle this. The shower part might take me a minute to get use to, but as you said….we should all have a “Little Bear” in our lives. Nothing much better.

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    1. It’s a wonderful cabin! Sometimes, we wish it was just a little closer – we could drive all out and get there in a very long driving day, but we’d arrive after dark. The final hour is on a “road” that tests our Jeep, even at a super slow crawl. Plus, the steep drop offs are pretty nerve wracking, and because we know they’re there, I’d rather do a daylight arrival. Also, somewhere like Little Bear ought to be a bit of a challenge to reach – makes it all the more worthwhile! If you don’t need to, don’t rush Montana…
      Have a great weekend!

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    1. Given the approaching change in season, how about the kelp stout from Tofino Brewing Company? Tried a bottle, and it seems to me to be a perfect fireside sipper for a chilly evening! Hopefully it won’t be too chilly just yet and it can wait a few weeks…

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  10. What a fantastic cabin! I agree that it might not be for everybody, but I sure wouldn’t turn down a week (or a lifetime) there!

    And I agree, a woodshed is far better than a television. Although we have something like 6,000 channels on the dish and tube, I’ve managed to watch less TV in the past few weeks than I normally would in a single day at home.

    Great post!

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