Ryan's Last Ride
Off the Grid: Ryan Edition
Seven days in the mountains with Ryan — fishing, hunting, and stories that'll last forever
Home Base
Bozeman Mountain Cabin Rental
Private 4-bedroom cabin with outdoor space
Cabin with a wraparound porch, fire pit, and mountain views — perfect HQ for an outdoorsman crew. Close enough to town for nightlife, far enough to feel remote. Pricing is estimated based on market rates for July in Bozeman.
$350–$450/night (split 5 ways = $70–$90/person/night)/nightDay 1 — Wheels Down, Boots On
Arrive at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)
Rent one car (SUV preferred for mountain driving). 15-minute drive to the cabin in Hyalite Canyon. Drop bags, grab snacks, settle in.
Tip: Stop at Town & Country supermarket on the way — grab beer, ice, charcoal, and ingredients for wood-fire cooking.
Cabin Check-In & Setup
Get keys, walk the property, assign beds. Stock the fridge and coolers. Fire up the fire pit if weather allows. This is HQ for seven days.
Tip: Designate one person as 'house manager' for the week — they track keys, coordinates group meals, and handles the Venmo.
Hyalite Canyon Hike — Pika Lake Trail
Easy 3-mile round trip to a pristine alpine lake. Ryan gets to stretch his legs in his element — mountains, water, fresh air. Back by 7 PM.
Tip: Bring water and snacks. The trail is well-marked but can be muddy in July — wear hiking boots.
Dinner at the Cabin — Grilled Burgers & Beers
Cook at home. Burgers on the grill, baked beans, cold beer. No fuss, no reservations. Everyone contributes to cooking and cleanup.
Tip: Have Ryan man the grill — he'll love it. Wild Turkey 101 neat for him, whatever the crew wants.
Settle In — Porch Drinks & Cards
Poker at the cabin. Low stakes, high laughs. Get to bed early — tomorrow is a full day.
Tip: Bring a deck of cards and some chips. Keep it chill — this is Day 1.
Day 2 — Water & Adrenaline
Breakfast at the Cabin
Eggs, bacon, toast. Everyone pitches in. Coffee and hydration — big day ahead.
Tip: Prep the night before so nobody's scrambling in the morning.
Montana Whitewater Rafting — Gallatin River
Class III-IV rapids through a narrow canyon. Half-day trip with a guide. Ryan and the crew get soaked, laughing, and pumped. Back by 3 PM.
Tip: Wear water shoes and bring a dry shirt. The water is cold — embrace it.
Downtime at the Cabin — Porch Drinks, Cards, Shoot the Shit
Three-hour unstructured block. Dry off, crack beers, play cards or just hang on the porch. This is where the best stories happen.
Tip: No phones. Just the crew, the mountains, and whatever conversation flows.
Dinner — Ted's Montana Grill
Bison burgers and classic American fare. Downtown Bozeman, casual vibe. Cheap, filling, and Montana-authentic. Cash or card, no reservations needed.
Tip: Order the bison burger — it's the signature. Get a pitcher of beer to share.
First Night Out — Dive Bar Crawl
Start at The Crystal Bar (historic 1900s saloon, shuffleboard, cheap pitchers). Then Haufbrau House (Bozeman institution, late-night burgers). End at The Rocking R Bar (rowdiest spot, DJ, dancing). Three bars, walking distance, low cover charges.
Tip: Pace the drinks — it's a long week. Tip the bartenders well and they'll remember you.
Day 3 — Two-Trout Ryan's Moment
Early Breakfast & Gear Check
Light breakfast at the cabin. Coffee, toast, fruit. Pack water, snacks, sunscreen. Ryan's fly fishing charter departs at 7:30 AM.
Tip: Ryan should wear layers — mountain weather changes fast. Sunscreen is non-negotiable.
Fly Fishing Charter — East Fork Madison River (Full Day)
This is THE day. Ryan's obsession is fly fishing, and the East Fork Madison is legendary. Full-day charter with a professional guide. The crew comes along — some fish, some watch, all of them witness Ryan in his element. Cutthroat and brown trout. This is where the Two-Trout story gets a sequel.
Tip: Bring a camera. This is the moment you document. Ryan will tell this story forever.
Return to Cabin — Debrief & Dinner Prep
Back at the cabin by 6 PM. Everyone's tired, happy, and hungry. Shower off, change into dry clothes. Prep for a wood-fire dinner.
Tip: Have someone start the fire pit while the crew showers.
Wood-Fire Dinner — Elk Tenderloin Over Coals
This is Ryan's dream meal. Elk tenderloin cooked over the fire pit, with roasted vegetables and bread. Ryan should help cook — he loves wood-fire cooking. Simple, primal, perfect.
Tip: Season the elk with salt, pepper, and garlic. Let it rest 5 minutes after cooking. Pair with cold beer.
Chill Night at the Cabin — Cigars & Whiskey
Sit around the fire pit. Cigars, Wild Turkey 101 neat for Ryan, whatever the crew wants. Stories, laughter, no agenda. This is the vibe — not a big night out, just the crew being together.
Tip: Keep it low-key. Save the big night for tomorrow.
Day 4 — Guns & Grit
Breakfast at the Cabin
Eggs, bacon, toast. Coffee. Fuel up for a shooting day.
Tip: Keep it simple and quick.
Bozeman Gun Club — Rifle & Pistol Range
Ryan's a hunter — this is his lane. Rifle and pistol ranges. Competitive group shoot. Friendly wagering on targets. Outdoorsman energy all morning. Back by 1 PM.
Tip: Bring ear protection and eye protection. The club provides targets. Bring cash for ammo if you want to shoot your own.
Downtime at the Cabin — Pool, Porch, Cards
Three-hour unstructured block. Hang by the fire pit, play cards, nap if you need it. Recovery time before the big night.
Tip: Hydrate. Eat a snack. This is where you recharge.
Dinner — Sidewinders American Grill
Late-night kitchen with pizza, burgers, and a full bar. Downtown Bozeman, casual vibe. Cheap and filling. No reservations needed.
Tip: Order the pizza and share. Get a pitcher of beer.
THE BIG NIGHT — House Party at the Cabin
This is the main event. Private poker tournament at the cabin. Buy-in $20–$50 per person. Chips, cards, whiskey, beer. Cigars on the porch. No cover charges, no Ubers, just the crew playing cards and telling stories until 2 AM.
Tip: Set a tournament structure before you start — blinds, antes, payout. Keep it fun, not serious.
Day 5 — Tear It Up
Recovery Breakfast at the Cabin
Eggs, bacon, toast, coffee. Aspirin and water. Hangovers are real.
Tip: Have Gatorade and electrolytes ready.
ATV Tour — Bridger Bowl Backcountry
Half-day ATV tour through technical trails with mountain views. Ryan gets to tear it up on four wheels. Pure adrenaline. Back by 2 PM.
Tip: Wear a helmet and protective gear. The trails are rough — embrace the mud.
Downtime at the Cabin — Pool, Porch, Nap
Three-hour unstructured block. Shower off the mud, dry off, relax. This is a recovery day — no big plans.
Tip: Nap if you need it. You've earned it.
Casual Dinner — Cook at the Cabin
Tacos, beans, rice. Everyone pitches in. Cheap, easy, filling. No fuss.
Tip: Prep the ingredients the night before.
Chill Night — Porch Drinks & Music
Sit around the fire pit. Bluetooth speaker playing Tyler Childers, Colter Wall, Charley Crockett — Ryan's favorites. Beers, whiskey, cigars. Low-key vibe. Early to bed.
Tip: Build the playlist ahead of time. This is the soundtrack to the trip.
Day 6 — Soak & Reflect
Breakfast at the Cabin
Eggs, bacon, toast, coffee. Slow morning.
Tip: No rush.
Bozeman Hot Springs — Pool Day
Twelve pools ranging from 59–106 degrees. Soak, relax, recover. Live music on weekends. This is the final recovery day before departure.
Tip: Bring a towel and sunscreen. The hot springs are healing.
Downtime at the Cabin — Porch, Cards, Reflection
Three-hour unstructured block. Hang out, play cards, talk about the week. This is where the memories crystallize.
Tip: Take photos. Write down the best stories.
Final Dinner — Blackbird Kitchen
Wood-fired everything with seasonal menus and excellent cocktails. This is the nice dinner — not fancy, but elevated. Downtown Bozeman. Reservation recommended.
Tip: Order the wood-fired fish or meat. Get a craft cocktail. This is the send-off meal.
HONORING MOMENT — Toast Round at the Cabin
Gather in the living room. Each person shares one specific memory of Ryan + one wish for his marriage. Keep it to 90 seconds each. This is the moment the trip becomes legendary.
Tip: Have someone take notes. These toasts are gold.
Final Night — Porch Drinks & Stories
Sit around the fire pit one last time. Beers, whiskey, cigars. Tell the Two-Trout story again. Laugh. Soak it in. This is the last night.
Tip: No phones. Just the crew and the mountains.
Day 7 — Wheels Up
Recovery Brunch — Jam!
Buzzy brunch spot with benedicts, french toast, and a lively patio. Downtown Bozeman. No reservations needed for 5 people. Cheap and filling.
Tip: Order the eggs benedict and coffee. Hydrate.
Cabin Checkout & Cleanup
Pack up, clean the cabin, return keys. One person does a final walkthrough. Leave it better than you found it.
Tip: Assign cleanup tasks the night before so it's fast.
Drive to Airport
15-minute drive to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN). Return the rental car. Check in for flights.
Tip: Leave by 1:30 PM to have buffer time. No rushing.
The Bars
The Crystal Bar
Historic 1900s saloon with shuffleboard and cheap pitchers
Bozeman institution since 1900. Neon signs, wood paneling, shuffleboard tables. Cheap pitchers and a gritty vibe. This is where locals drink.
Haufbrau House
Dive bar with cheap pitchers and late-night burgers
Bozeman institution since 1973. Cheap pitchers, late-night burgers, pool tables. The kind of place where everyone knows your name by the end of the night.
The Rocking R Bar
Rowdiest bar with DJ nights and dancing
Bozeman's rowdiest bar. DJ nights, dancing, cheap drinks. This is where the night gets loud. End-of-night energy.
Spectators Bar & Grill
Sports bar with wall-to-wall screens and cheap pitchers
Wall-to-wall screens, MSU Bobcat game days, and cheap pitchers. If there's a game on, this is where the crew watches it.
Where to Eat
Ted's Montana Grill
American — Bison Burgers • $12–$18/person
Bison burgers and classic American fare in a casual setting. Cheap, filling, and Montana-authentic. No reservations needed.
Sidewinders American Grill
American — Pizza & Burgers • $10–$16/person
Late-night kitchen with pizza, burgers, and a full bar. Downtown Bozeman, casual vibe. Perfect for a casual dinner before a big night out.
Blackbird Kitchen
New American — Wood-Fired • $22–$32/person
Wood-fired everything with seasonal menus and excellent cocktails. Elevated but not fancy. Perfect for the final dinner.
Jam!
Breakfast — Brunch • $12–$18/person
Buzzy brunch spot with benedicts, french toast, and a lively patio. Perfect for the final morning.
Budget Breakdown
Pack This
- - Hiking boots (Hyalite Canyon trails are muddy in July)
- - Fly fishing gear if you fish, or just bring a camera to document Ryan's moment
- - Sunscreen and sunglasses (mountain sun is intense)
- - Layers — mountain weather changes fast
- - Swimsuit (hot springs on Day 6)
- - Casual clothes for dinners (nothing fancy — this is a budget trip)
- - Cigars if you smoke (or buy them in Bozeman)
- - Headlamp or flashlight (fire pit nights)
- - Toiletries and any medications (small-town pharmacy might not have everything)
Pro Tips
- - Ryan's a fly fishing obsession — the East Fork Madison charter on Day 3 is the centerpiece. Book it 4 weeks ahead.
- - July in Bozeman is peak season — book the cabin 8 weeks ahead. Prices spike in summer.
- - Hyalite Canyon trails can be muddy in July — wear hiking boots, not sneakers.
- - The group Venmo is non-negotiable with 5 people. Designate a treasurer on Day 1.
- - Wild Turkey 101 neat for Ryan — stock the cabin fridge before arrival. His favorite drink waiting is a legendary touch.
- - The Two-Trout story will come up — lean into it. Have someone ask Ryan to tell it on Day 3 after the fishing charter.
- - Bozeman is a college town — downtown bars get packed on weekends. Hit them early (9 PM) or late (midnight+).
- - Rideshare coverage is solid in Bozeman, but it's cheaper to stay at the cabin and drink there. The house party is the move.
Group Logistics
Transport: One rental SUV for the week (estimated $400–$500 total, split 5 ways = $80–$100/person). Rideshare for nights out if anyone's had too much (Uber XL in Bozeman is $10–$25 per ride). Gas for the week is ~$40–$50 total.
Nightlife Strategy: Two big nights: Day 2 is a dive bar crawl (Crystal Bar → Haufbrau House → Rocking R Bar, 3 bars walking distance, $5–$10 cover at the last one). Day 4 is the house party poker tournament at the cabin (no cover, $20–$50 buy-in per person). Day 5 is chill (fire pit, music, cigars). Day 6 is the honoring moment + final porch drinks. No bottle service, no VIP tables — this is a budget crew.