Our beautiful 21 acre 4M Ranch, sanctuary, is located in Pray, Montana. We are just 30 miles north of the Historic Roosevelt Stone Arch, the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
Livingston, the original gateway to Yellowstone, is 30 miles south. Famous Chico Hot Springs, Dailey Lake, Yellowstone River, fly shop, grocery store, laundromat, bakery, saloon, post office, horseback riding, whitewater rafting and several restaurants are all within 8 miles. Highway 89 is only 7 miles away.
We are surrounded by the Gallatin, Absaroka/Beartooth and Crazy Mountain Ranges. Emigrant Peak, at nearly 11,000 feet, is accessible from the front door of the house. The 6 Mile Creek flows through the 4M property. Native cottonwoods, pines and junipers, some over 50 feet tall, grace the property.
It’s a spectacular setting for a memorable wedding or special event. Read more about that here.
In the front yard of the house there are two authenticated teepee rings which were used by the Crow, Shoshone and Clovis Indians some 10,000 years ago. Larry Laren, a local archaeologist, examined the artifacts my two youngest sons sifted out of our garden and explained the contents of the box. There was a fire pit between the teepee rings, but it was difficult to mow the lawn with it there, so it was put to rest. Years ago I had the teepee rings filled with soil so I could have flowers in them all season. I honor this land for its beauty, location and sacredness; we are tucked away in quiet seclusion and if you listen, really listen, you can commune with the spirits that reside here.
While hiking, we found and still have several bison horns with lichen growing on them. When I moved here 24 years ago there were also drivelines (long stone walls built by the Indians to guide the buffalo toward high cliffs and over.) Read more about it at: visitmt.com or montanakids.com.
The 4M Ranch is named after my four sons. All four of them have the initials MMO, the O is for their last name, Oghigian. In order of birth: Marty(Air), Marcus(Fire), Michael(Water), Matthew(Earth) The 4M symbol came about when I was trying to draw an Indian symbol. As luck would have it it turned out looking like 4 M’s around an O, amazing!!! I thought so.
Our spacious log cabin, 859 sq.ft, is surrounded by trees, tall lilac bushes, potentilla bushes and an irrigation ditch. A privacy fence separates the house and cabin. The organic garden, available to guests, is just down the hill near the creek and red wiggler worm compost pile. Read more about the log cabin here.
I encourage you to feed the worms with your garbage, they are surface feeders and eat my garbage all year long. I then add the nutrient rich composted soil, with worm castings to the garden. We have a lovely sub-irrigated meadow where you can rest, play croquet, kick the soccer ball around or play with any number of outdoor toys.
While you wait you can sit on the swing on the back deck and listen to the creek or sit out front and marvel at Emigrant Peak. If you are early enough there are deer around the house daily and lots of other wildlife. Seeing is believing!
I have personally spotted moose, elk, fox, coyote, bear, mountain lion, badger, wolves, weasels, raccoons, chipmunks, skunks and more, many of which have been caught on film. This is a bird-lovers paradise. Gray partridge, eagles, hawks, woodpeckers, owls, flickers, bluebirds, meadowlarks, ducks, hummingbirds, tanager, buntings, finches, geese, duck, cranes, just to name a few. Bring your binoculars!
We also have 3 brood Bat Houses that are occupied every year and help keep the bugs to a minimum.
I was born and raised in NY and lived in Palos Verdes Estates after I left, but this is where I want to stay. I love the peace and quiet, the beautiful rainbows, sunrises, sunsets, wildlife, the changing seasons, it all bring up so much gratitude from my being daily. I have traveled extensively and I can’t think of a more magnificent place to call my home. … Brings up gratitude from my being every day.
Come visit and you will know what I mean. I love sharing the Montana experience with my guests.
~ Virginia
