Soldier Hollow may be best known for Olympic cross-country skiing and a mile-long tubing hill, but the beauty of the area in the summertime simply can’t be beat.

Rocky Mountain Outfitters offers horseback riding, and fly fishing in the summer, plus a unique chuck wagon dinner available to the public on Saturday evenings.

On a recent Saturday, I took my family to the equestrian headquarters near the Soldier Hollow lodge to catch the horse-drawn wagon that would take us to the “cowboy village.”

That night consisted of individual families like ours, and some larger family groups visiting Utah for a wedding. All were accommodated well and seemed to enjoy themselves.

We were greeted by Sparky, an “old codger” you might say, with silver lamb chop sideburns and a near-10-gallon cowboy hat. He greeted us with a cowboy “Howdy.” “Cowboy Doug” played a steady but subtle stream of cowboy tunes by the likes of John Denver and other traditional country tunes, and even Cole Porter’s “Don’t Fence Me In.”

While we waited for the dinner bell the group split among various activities: horseshoes, “branding” planks of wood with birthdates, house numbers etc. as a memento, and lassoing long horn cattle, which were actually bales of hay with plastic long horns attached to one end.

Our 2-year-old enjoyed running around the grounds, stretching her legs after the car ride up the canyon. We walked among the cabins, original structures from the 1800s constructed during the settling of the area, and soaked in the green mountains: bike and horse trails can be seen, the Soldier Hollow lodge with all the Olympic country flags are close, with golf courses in the background.

Two more wagons of people came after us, and shortly afterward Sparky clanged the triangle dinner bell and it echoed through the site: “Come and get it, before we throw it away.”

Forming a line, we piled our plastic plates with salad, roll, watermelon, Dutch oven baked beans, Dutch oven potatoes au gratin, and either chicken or steak cooked to order. My favorite was the potatoes, which had green chilis swimming in the mix, adding a little bite.

We found a spot at one of the picnic tables draped in red-checkered tablecloths. Once everyone sat down, Cowboy Doug kicked it up a notch, entertaining as we ate. Sparky broke in a few times with some great cowboy poetry. If you have never heard cowboy poetry, it is something that is better heard live. The surroundings, the delivery and even the cowboy himself contribute to the experience.

Stories of Utah-born Butch Cassidy — one that involved an actual relative of Cowboy Doug — and other cowboy tales were told to the group. The only thing missing was a crackling campfire and the marshmallows. Better than those sticky treats, however, was the Dutch oven peach cobbler for dessert.

As the evening wound down, we boarded the wagon and rode off into the sunset, full and satisfied, branded board in hand, back to the 21st century.

IF YOU GO:
To make a reservation, visit www.rockymtnoutfitters.com, or call 435-654-1655.

Open to public reservation on Saturday nights from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Private reservations available for groups on any other night.  We are unable to take reservation requests for private Chuck Wagon Dinners online.  Please call our office for details and to make a reservation.  This is a great activity for family reunions and corporate retreats!

Gift Certificates available.  Call for details.

For more information on Rocky Mountain Outfitters, which offers horseback riding, fly fishing, and wagon/sleigh rides, visit www.rockymtnoutfitters.com.