Not in a hospital
not in a jail
not in a grave.
Thank you God for another day alive.
The “cowboy way of life” or the “Western way of life” is a blend of Enlightenment rationalism, the scientific method, capitalism, and the emphasis on liberal individualism and human rights. The Western lifestyle has been a big part of our lives for over 40 years now, but my daughter moving to Montana has brought it out even more.
- Individualism: A focus on personal liberty, unique identity, and the freedom to pursue individual goals.
- Democratic Governance: Representative democracy, rule of law, and equality before the law regardless of social background.
- Human Rights: A commitment to universal rights, including freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and the separation of church and state.
- Rationalism & Progress: A belief that the universe operates by logical rules (logos) that can be understood through reason, science, and technological innovation.
In a specifically North American context, the “Western way of life” also refers to the distinct ethos of the American frontier. This lifestyle is typified by cowboy culture and the “Code of the West,” which emphasizes:
- True Solitude: Montana has roughly one-fifth the population of Colorado spread over a larger landmass. The lifestyle prioritizes self-reliance, quiet rivers, and living far from your nearest neighbor.
- Overcoming adversity and figuring it out on your own mindset
- The Working Cowboy Reality: While Colorado has plenty of working ranches, Montana’s economy remains deeply dependent on massive livestock operations. Cowboy boots and denim are standard functional workwear here, rather than a fashion statement.
- Outdoors as a Way of Survival: In Montana, outdoor recreation like fly fishing, big-game hunting, and packing horses into the backcountry is less about a weekend hobby and more about a seasonal rhythm passed down through generations.
- Preserved Frontier Isolation: Towns like Choteau, Ennis, and Red Lodge operate largely out of the spotlight of major commercial tourism, keeping their 19th-century architecture and community dynamics intact without the luxury high-rises.
Highlights to explore
- Indian culture, powwows, rodeos and the rez
- Jewelry and the Turquoise Trail
- Turquoise Jewelry
- Turquoise Hunting
- The Turquoise Trail is a 52-mile National Scenic Byway (New Mexico State Highway 14) that connects Albuquerque and Santa Fe. It takes its name from the rich turquoise deposits historically mined in the region and offers a scenic, historic alternative to the Interstate 25 highway. The route weaves through the scenic eastern foothills of the Sandia Mountains and is dotted with distinctive high-desert towns, outdoor recreation spots, and artisan communities.
- Key Highlights & Towns Madrid: Once a prominent coal and metal mining ghost town, it has transformed into a vibrant, quirky arts community featuring galleries, unique shops, and the Madrid Old Coal Town Museum. Cerrillos: A step back in time with dirt roads, 19th-century storefronts, and the Cerrillos Hills State Park. It was once a major mining district dating back to 900 A.D.. Sandia Crest: Located near the southern end of the trail, the scenic drive to the top offers panoramic views spanning thousands of square miles of the New Mexico landscape. Cowboy Cuisine and Western Flavors
- Western Cuisine
- The market, the pantry and what you have on hand from gardening and harvesting decides the menu.
- Make unfussy food people will want to eat. Follow recipes loosely and adapt them a
lot. - Share food generously.
- Credit recipes borrowed from friends.
- Wild Rags, Rodeos and Horses
- Cowboy Boots
- Cowboy Hats
- Wild Rags
- A Longstanding Social History of Horse Sports from Racing, Foxhunting and Polo to Dude Ranches and Real Cowboys
- Mexican and Charro Influences on the West
- Hunting, Fishing and Ranching
- Big game hunting
- Upland and waterfowl hunting
- Fly fishing
- Coyotes
- Ranching
- Cattlemen, Sheepherders and Those Keeping the Way of Life Alive
- Homesteading and Ranching
