March 5th, 2010
Last week you were good to me. Oh so good. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were trying to woo me.
I spent a solid amount of the week exploring and experiencing some of what you offer during winter. I’ve heard rumors of your winters scaring people, but not me. I know you’re just a big softy.
My explorations had me bunking in a yurt, backcountry skiing, snowmobiling near Olney (with races across Upper Whitefish Lake – it was frozen, I checked), dining on a delicious meal topped off by creme brule in Kalispell and spending ALL DAY (which was awesome!) snowmobiling in the Swan Mountains.
Snowmobiling with Ben and Jack of Rich Ranch in Seeley Lake.
On the side, I soaked in a hot tub
here, met some characters
here, bought some earrings (locally crafted)
here and even made a side jaunt to the
Crown of the Continent.
Trixi's in Ovando. Larry Turner photo
Snowmobiling near Seeley Lake and Ovando. Larry Turner photo
Glacier National Park West Entrance
So to you my dear state, I tip my hat to you. I’ll be back outside again soon…especially since the sun is shining!
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Tags: Snowmobiling, Winter
Posted in Glacier National Park, Seeley-Swan Valley, Winter | No Comments »
February 22nd, 2010
February 15, 2010
Latest Centennial eNews
Our latest Centennial eNews!
Highlights include:
February 22, 2010: Glacier National Park Associates Winter Speaker Series featuring Joyce Lapp at Central Museum in Kalispell
February 27, 2010: Winter Moonlit Ski in Apgar Village
March 18, 2010: Centennial Film Festival– A River Wild at Signature Theaters in Kalispell
March 19, 2010: 100 Years, 100 Straight Days in Glacier– Photography Exhibit Reception with Chris Peterson at Discovery Square in Columbia Falls
March 22, 2010: Glacier National Park Associates Winter Speaker Series featuring John Fraley at Central Museum in Kalispell
March 25, 2010: Columbia Falls High School Centennial Art Reception at Discovery Square in Columbia Falls
- Two Centennial Literary Contests: University of Montana Literary Journal– Camas and the Belton Chalet Centennial Poetry Contest
- Photos capturing recent centennial activities
Enjoy!
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February 12th, 2010
Just another beautiful day at Whitefish Mountain Resort.
ps: They also have some stellar deals happening right now, making it even more affordable to stay and play in Whitefish. For more info, visit www.skiwhitefish.com.
T
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February 2nd, 2010
Hi gang,
This last week I was out in “the field” doing some on-the-ground work and coordination. And I tell ya what, I loved every minute of it!
Which, to be honest, was probably a combination of things…it could have been the ride up Chair 1 at Whitefish Mountain Resort that gave me a BEAUTIFUL view of the peaks of Glacier National Park.
Peaks of Glacier National Park from WMR summit
Maybe it was the delicious stuffed peppers at the Belton Chalet (not kidding–they are awesome!). Or it could have been the full moon and clear sky that lit up Highway 2 between Essex and West Glacier Friday night. Or it could have been making friends here, here and here.
Beautiful family skiing at Glacier Outdoor Center
There’s something incredibly special about the authenticity and realness of the places and people in Western Montana. And while I may never know the exact combination of what it was, I want more of it.
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Tags: Glacier National Park, West Glacier, Whitefish Mountain Resort, Winter
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January 29th, 2010
As a part of the annual Glacier National Park Associates winter speaker series, Ranger Naturalist Bill Schustrom kicked off the event with a program on 100 Years of Wilderness in Glacier.
The program commenced with a discussion on what ‘Wilderness’ means to us– means to you, means to me. Words such as quiet, untouched, and solitude were suggested from the crowd of 60 attendees. Bill suggested untrammeled. Land that is fairly untrammeled, he said. This word comes directly from the 1964 Wilderness Act, “…an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man…” Section 2(c).
The evening continued with how humans have learned to appreciate our wild landscapes– as the land is a part of our heritage and the responsibility for those of us today to pass on these lands to future generations to appreciate as our ancestors have done for us.
Bill, a 50 year veteran of Glacier National Park, ended the program with a quote from John Muir, encouraging the audience to really think about Muir’s words: “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.”
As we move into the second century of preserving places like Glacier National Park, it is imperative to recognize our responsibility as citizens and care takers of these invaluable landscapes.
Join the Glacier National Park Associates for the next lecture on February 22, 7 PM at the Central Museum in Kalispell. Ranger Joyce Lapp will be presenting a program on botany in the park.
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January 15th, 2010
January 15, 2010
January eNews!
Check out our latest eNews!
This month’s highlights:
- Photos from the Belton Chalet Centennial New Years Party (if you click on the photo in the eNewsletter it will bring you to our photo gallery for more photos from the event)
- Glacier National Park Associates Winter Speaker Series will kick off with Ranger Bill Schustrom on January 25th, 7 pm at the Central Museum in Kalispell. Bill will talk about 100 years of Wilderness.
- The Montana Natural History Center in Missoula will be hosting a special reception for the centennial art on February 5th, 5-8 PM.
- Don’t miss the Whitefish Winter Carnival (Feb 5-7) This years theme is Glacier’s 100th Anniversary. Be sure to stop by the parade on Feb 6th at 3 pm!
- Books, patches, tshirts, and more can be found at the Glacier Association and Glacier Park, Inc’s websites!
Enjoy! And as always– for more information on Glacier’s Centennial, please visit: www.glaciercentennial.org
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January 15th, 2010
This past weekend, the boy and I did a little drive up to Glacier National Park. We went for a couple of reason…1) Why not? 2) The boy has never been to Glacier. 3) It’s winter! Glacier’s undiscovered season.
Snow-covered entrance
It was a lovely drive up along Flathead Lake and over to West Glacier.
View from West Glacier bridge
Our adventure took us to Apgar Village and Lake McDonald, where we trudged along the shore and I took a few photos. While I was aptly leaping/running back to the rig, I stepped in a snow bank that went up to my knee. I loved it!
Lake McDonald
We also drove along the Going-to-the-Sun Road…completely different, but utterly delightful in winter.
The boy is not a man of many words, but one thing is for sure…he loved it. I think we’ll go back soon.
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Tags: Glacier National Park, Winter
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January 8th, 2010
On May 11, Glacier will mark 100 years as a national park. Encompassing over one million acres, the beauty of the park includes rolling foothills, breathtaking vistas and incredible glacier-carved terrain.
Lake McDonald
Glacier and its centennial have been receiving significant coverage as people continue to fall in love with this national treasure.
Read more about the park and centennial through these journalist’s eyes…
Spokesman Review: Glacier Park Brimming with Stories
Boston Globe: 100 Days in Glacier National Park
Cowboys & Indians: Visiting Glacier National Park
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Tags: Centennial, Glacier Centennial, Glacier National Park
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January 5th, 2010
January 4, 2010
Happy Centennial Year, Glacier!
On December 31, 2009, the Belton Chalet brought in the new year, as well as the centennial of the Belton and of Glacier National Park. The historic chalet was the first of many chalets built by the Great Northern Railway. The Belton was completed in 1910 and opened to the public a mere two months after the park was designated. The New Year’s Eve evening began with a grand welcome by the Chalet’s staff in unique attire. Dressed to the nines in their historic ’swiss-like’ uniforms, guests were catered to with a luggage valet. Once arriving to your room, guests found champagne flutes with a bottle of bubbly awaiting.
The evening’s schedule was crafted as the following:
- Dinner marked with guest specific reservation time- in the Chalet Dining Room
- 6:00 pm-8:30 pm: Hors d’oeuvres in the Terrace Room
- 6:30 pm-9:30 pm: String Crossings in the Terrace Room
- 8:30 pm-10:30 pm: Old Time Photos in the Lobby
- 9:00 pm-10:30 pm: Dessert in the Terrace Room
- 9:30 pm-12:30 pm: Old Slouch Hat (band) in the Terrace Room
- 12:00 am: Champagne Toast in commemorative Centennial Flutes
- New Year’s Day Breakfast in the Chalet Dining Room
The evening proved to be memorable for all attendees. From top hats to historic hiking packs the guests followed suit in dressing the part. A delicious dinner in the Chalet Dining Room followed the String Crossings band in the Terrace Room. A traditional wave to the train that passed the Belton near 8 pm was something that everyone ran to the porch for– and no one could hold back dancing once the Old Slouch Hat band began strumming their strings. The night concluded with a clinking of commemorative centennial flutes as a toast to 100 years of the Belton Chalet and Glacier National Park.
Check out the pictures from this centennial commemorative kick-off event!
For more information about Glacier’s Centennial and our full calendar of activities, please visit: www.glaciercentennial.org
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Tags: Centennial, West Glacier
Posted in Glacier National Park, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
December 31st, 2009
Well it looks like another year has come and gone. Sometimes I look back on the last 12 months and can hardly believe how fast they cruised by me. But now, it’s on to 2010!
Here in Western Montana, 2010 is a BIG deal. Mainly because we’ve got our party pants on as we prepare to celebrate the centennial year of Glacier National Park. More on that later…
For now, I want to share some of my “Playing in Western Montana Goals” for this year…
1. Hike to Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park.
2. Eat a Bubba Burger.
3. Convince a “jammer” to let me talk in his microphone on a red bus tour. 
4. Ride Amtrak’s Empire Builder from Whitefish to East Glacier.
Belton Railroad Depot, West Glacier
5. Cruise the zip line at
Whitefish Mountain Resort.
6. Eat as much huckleberry ice cream as possible.
Huckleberry Ice Cream!
7. Kayak Brennan’s Wave.
Brennan's Wave - Downtown Missoula
8. Ride
“The Shadow” on Flathead Lake.
9. Hit up every
ski area in Western Montana: Snowbowl, Blacktail, Lookout Pass, Lost Trail, Turner and Whitefish Mountain Resort.
10. Go on a
“Sun Tour” in Glacier National Park.
11. Belt out some Montana-inspired tunes at open mic at the
Belton Chalet. And while wer’e on this subject, I’d also like to belt out some girly tunes at open mic in Whitefish.
Wish me luck…Happy New Year!
T
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Tags: Glacier National Park, Play
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