On my first visit to Big Bend region of Texas, I visited Cibolo Creek Ranch after hearing about its storied history and sweeping vistas. Upon entering the ranch, a winding gravel road brought me to this encounter with roaming bison – just like in the song we all know, “Home on the Range.” I slowly put my truck into park, trying not to startle the calves hanging close to their mothers.

There’s just something magical about wide open spaces … in that moment, there was nothing but the sound of the wind and sight of a majestic, once-endangered animal. No city, no phones and no worries.