Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry | Sweet Grass County, Montana

Lonesome Dove is one of the great 20th-century American epics written by Larry McMurtry. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 1985 and captivates readers with its sweeping scale, rich characters, and poignant themes.

This pilgrimage will focus on the story of Lorena Wood, the main female character. The novel begins and ends with Lorena, a sex worker who fights brutality and poverty, and the plot hinges on her story. In this epic tome, we will examine Lorena’s story through the theme of resilience.

On this pilgrimage, participants can expect to wrestle with questions like: When something feels impossible, how do you keep going? What is the difference between surviving and thriving? When do you hit the road and move on? 

Content Warning: The novel depicts sexual violence, and period-typical racism, and our pilgrimage will explore these themes in a supportive and caring setting.

In Montana, pilgrims will explore the landscapes and sites that color the setting of Lonesome Dove. We will delve into the world and ideas of the novel while gathering at P Bar Ranch, a gorgeous, private property with charming, individually designed rustic accommodations. At P Bar, the land is our classroom. There will be opportunities for pilgrims to enjoy a cup of coffee out on the beautiful porches, take in the mountain views, embark on riverside walks, explore the benefits of equine therapy, or delight in journaling and crafting.

This pilgrimage is the most physically accessible domestic trip we offer. Pilgrims will spend most of the time enjoying activities that require little exertion, with the exception of an optional guided hike. We won’t rush our hike, but pilgrims should expect some elevation (and altitude) changes.  Please note that the property is not ADA compliant.

The full tuition of the trip is as follows:

• Shared Room $4,850

Shared Rooming: If you wish to share a room with another person, you will each purchase your own shared rooms. This enables us to functionally receive one registration form per participant. Please do not purchase a private room if you prefer to share a room with another participant.

Meeting up:

We will meet in Belgrade, Montana after lunch on August 1st and end programming before lunch on August 5th. Specific meeting time and location will be offered privately to pilgrims upon payment; transportation to and from the ranch will be provided by Common Ground.

Travel Expenses & Arrangements

Each pilgrim is responsible for handling their own travel expenses and arrangements prior to our meeting on August 1st and after we say goodbye on August 5th. Flights are not included.

Accommodations

Our lodgings throughout the pilgrimage will be P Bar, a working cattle ranch at the edge of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. P Bar’s ethos is one of appreciating and learning from nature. Their core principles are: leave the land better than you found it, learn through nature, respect the power of weather and water, and bring kind people together.  

The ranch offers stunning mountain views, scenic pastures, cozy shared rooms and communal showers. The P Bar’s cabins have a sink and toilet in each shared room and a shower house nearby. There will be opportunities for pilgrims to unwind in the quiet and peace of the ranch’s remote surroundings, while also taking in the magnitude of nature around them.