B Bar Gazette – July 2025
| B Bar Gazette |
| Issue #26 July 2025 |
| A Sacred Place. A State of Mind. The wildflowers are at their peak: lupines standing tall in the wind, geraniums scattered through the grass, and warm light settling over the ridgelines in the long hours before dusk. It’s in this season of still beauty and slow days that we’re preparing for something special. On July 30th, B Bar Ranch will host Echoes in the Basin, an outdoor concert with the Lake String Quartet. The event is open to the public, and we hope to welcome friends old and new into the heart of Tom Miner Basin for an evening of music, shared meals, and mountain air. |
| Indian paintbrush, catching fire in the grass. |
| Last week, the Basin was full of voices and laughter as more than thirty family members and friends gathered for our annual reunion. Some were seeing the ranch for the first time, others returning to a place that has shaped their lives for decades. And as always, the land greeted them with something just a little different. I watched a dozen folks on horseback, garbed in yellow rain slicks and damp hats, approach headquarters through an afternoon rainstorm. Their white smiles stood out against the gray light. While I was worried about our guests getting wet, their spirits were lifted by the ride—each person buzzing with stories full of color and surprise. We celebrated the Fourth of July, our family and friends’ last night together, illuminated by campfire and a waxing moon, until the Milky Way made its quiet appearance. To my surprise, the gung-ho spirit of pre-breakfast yoga held strong the next morning. I stepped into the yurt to find ten yogis already seated, ready to begin. After class, one friend told our group, “I reflect on life through the lens of gratitude—and this week alone brought me three or four new experiences to be thankful for.” |
| The rain didn't wash Julia's smile away! |
| It’s a rare privilege to share this place with people we love, and to steward it alongside such a dedicated, compassionate team. Chef Cory and Natalie continue to craft meals that are as nourishing as they are delicious. Their food is a bright thread in the fabric of our summer gatherings, and I’m thrilled for more guests to experience their talents in the weeks ahead. The pastures are painted with wildflowers. Lupine stands tall in the breeze, Indian paintbrush hides in the shade, and this year’s geranium bloom is especially striking. With the July sun warming the valley and grasses nearing their peak, we’ll soon be opening a new pasture—a space that will host a one-of-a-kind evening. |
| The venue for the Lake Strings Quartet concert. |
| The remodeled A-Frame cabin waiting for your Ranch-to-Table stay. Click here to visit B Bar Ranch |
| So once again, on July 30th, we invite you to join us for Echos in the Basin, an open-air concert with the Lake String Quartet. Reserve Your Spot for Echoes in the Basin Set in the heart of the ranch, with Sheep Mountain rising in the distance, this event offers a rare opportunity to leave behind the noise of city life and hear music where the only backdrop is the natural world: untouched, wild, and ancient. We’ve designed this gathering to be simple and immersive—live music in the open air, a quiet meal made with care, and the chance to stay overnight in one of our cabins. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be held by both the land and the sound, this evening might be the answer. Until then, may your summer be filled with moments of stillness, beauty, and connection. Warmly, Jackson |
| Natalie makes the best desserts and takes beautiful photos. Our B Bar Family Maryanne Mott- General Manager and Owner Matthew Tousignant- Guest Ranch Manager Cory Dragone- Chef Natalie Holl- Cook Amy Berndt- Administrative Assistant Kenney Berndt- Maintenance Foreman Troy Lerwill- Maintenance Technician Collin Layng- Maintenance Technician Mark Rose- Land & Livestock Manager El Stone- Bookkeeper Mary Malley- Tom Miner Office Assistant Jackson Stewart- Marketing & Sales Manager Mihail Kennedy- Production Manager Shea Kennedy- Cattle & Grazing Coordinator Randy Mesce- Maintenance Technician Kristian Mesce- Big Timber Office Assistant Esme Wessel- Big Timber Ranch Hand |