I’m a lucky girl. Seriously.
For the last two weeks, I’ve been perusing the countryside of Western Montana. I’ve put on a lot of miles and enjoyed every minute of it. Mainly because Montana is filled with some of the most incredible beauty that a person could ever by blessed enough to see. And judging by the place I live and the things I get to see, I’m pretty blessed.
The Daly Mansion in Hamilton
National Bison Range
Baby brother on a red bus tour
Sun Point in Glacier National Park
TT
It’s summer in Montana and that means it’s time to hit the open road and play, play, play. My last adventure had me visiting the Blackfeet Nation for North American Indian Days.
This year, NAID attracted more than 500 dancers and had members from 50 different tribes throughout the United States and Canada in attendance. During the festivities, we attended the dancing, stick games and rodeo. (And trust me, this Montana girl loves a good rodeo).
The parade at North American Indian Days in Browning
North American Indian Days in Browning
We also spent time in East Glacier and were able to head out and “help” (ok, we watched) the cowboys round up bucking horses for Sunday’s main rodeo event in Browning. And boy did we enjoy watching the roundup!
The part that sticks out is my mind the most is the sound of the herd–we could hear them before we could see them–as they stampeded toward us with five cowboys on horseback wooping and hollering bringing them in.
And the icing on the cake?
This cowboy gave me his rope. We may be in love.
TT
There’s been some pretty happening stuff in Missoula the last few days. Not only was it Downtown Tonight last night, but since Wednesday Missoula has been hosting the US Freestyle Kayaking National Championships at Brennan’s Wave. Around 200 competitors have been in the Garden City this week trying their hand, and performing tricks, to earn a spot representing the US at the World Freestyle Kayaking Championships in Germany.
And we couldn’t be more tickled. It was such a treat to have something like this in Western Montana. To all the guys and gals that participated, we hope you come back and paddle our waters again soon. And keep bringing those tricks!
A few photos for your viewing pleasure.
Some random tidbits:
-A new wave, The Max, is being built on the Clark Fork River. Which means Missoula will have TWO play areas for kayakers in the heart of downtown.
-Summer is here. Ah, yea.
-If you’re looking for a water based adventure/activity, consider 10,000 Waves Rafting & Kayaking. I did a kayaking trip with their guides a few weeks back. In three words: It was awesome.
Until next week, happy travels!
TT
Well party people, it’s official. The Going-to-the-Sun Road (that little curvy number that laces its way through the park on 52 miles of asphalt) is officially open for the 2010 summer season.
And we couldn’t be more tickled about it!!
The road opens up much of the interior of the park and gives all that drive it an insider peak at some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
Opening day, summer 2009.
A few tidbits about the Going-to-the-Sun Road:
-It is the only American roadway designated both as a National Historic Landmark and a National Civic Engineering Landmark.
-The name of the road is borrowed from nearby Going-to-the-Sun Mountain. Local legend tells the story of the deity, Sour Spirit, who came down from the sun to teach Blackfeet braves the rudiments of the hunt. On his way back to the sun, Sour Spirit had his images reproduced on the top of the mountain for inspiration to the Blackfeet.
-The road crews and park service work very hard to ensure the road is open and safe for travel. A tip of the hat to all of them.
-It’s currently undergoing a multi-year rehabilitation project, so you may experience a few delays when driving the road (no more than 40 minutes from 7 AM – 9 PM).
-There are a few ways to travel the road.
Option #1: Drive it yourself.
Option #2: Take the Sun Road transit system for free (July 1 – Sept. 6).
Option #3: Take the east side hiker shuttle (fee).
Option #4: Hob aboard a jammer (red bus) for an interpretive tour of the park.
Option #5: Take a Sun Tour and learn about the park from the Blackfeet perspective.
Whatever way you choose to explore the Going-to-the-Sun Road, be sure to take your camera. Because the views are going to knock your socks off.
Waterfalls in the mountain valleys below the road.
When I was growing up along the Rocky Mountain Front, we would make a trip to Glacier every summer. And along with that trip came the annual stay at Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier. I always looked forward to staying at the lodge…it was such a wondrous place for a little girl who dreamed of princes and castles. Grand and beautiful, it seemed to hold something magical inside.
Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier, MT
Nearly 20 years later, this girl found herself at Glacier Park Lodge again. Sure, a few key differences stood out–like being able to see over the railing without standing on my tippy toes and I brush my hair now–but besides that, it was the same lodge and experience I had fallen in love with all those years ago.
And while I live on the west side of the Rocky Mountains now, I’m quite confident I’ll be going back to Glacier Park Lodge as often as I can. Especially when I’m looking to reconnect with that feeling of childhood wonderment or when I need to remember how life is supposed to be. Beautiful, majestic and completely wonderful.
PS: For your viewing pleasure, a few photos from my visit.
Traditional Blackfeet Dancing
Jammer (red bus) at Glacier Park Lodge
A yearling grizzly
Have you heard about the lastest battle between Montana’s two jewels? Currently, there’s a good-natured and spirited battle going on between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park.
The concept came about as a way to celebrate and highlight the very two different parks, Yellowstone with its geysers and Glacier with its…glaciers. The competition has been heating up in the last few weeks and there is quite the tug of war between Glacier’s red buses and Yellowstone’s yellow buses on the better than website.
Which leads me to this…We want YOU to get in on the fun! Log on to www.better-than.com and cast your vote (with comments if you feel so inclined) for your favorite park. And while you’re there, check out what other people have to say, what we have to see and be sure to watch our video features on both parks.
PS: GO TEAM GLACIER!
TT
As many of you have probably seen on facebook, twitter or in the local media, the Montana Office of Tourism campaign is creating quite the buzz in Chicago.
Recently Ms. Barbara Brotman wrote an article for the Chicago Tribune about the campaign and…we totally love it.
A little excerpt, “Montana is thrusting its mountainous finger right in our Midwest faces, taunting us with its magnificent scenery and world-class outdoor recreation.” And of course my presonal favorite, “Join me, friends. Let’s tell Montana to fly-fish this.” Click here to read more.
Well sure, we are, but only in our sweetest “come see our beautiful big sky, hike through Glacier National Park and eat huckleberry pie with us” way. Because really, we just want you to party with us.
So now will you come? Please?
PS: Quit fighting it. You know we’re fun! And we have bighorn sheep, so you’ve got to like us.
(TT)
In this Montana girl’s mind, summer kicks off officially in Montana each Memorial Day. Sure, sometimes it may bring beautiful sunshine and comfortable 80 degree days, while others times it rolls in with wind, rain and a touch of snow. But any way you slice it, it’s summer in Montana.
If you’re looking for things to do in Western Montana on this, the inaugural weekend of summer, you choices abound. Here are a few ideas to get your weekend rolling.
1) St. Regis Flea Market: This is Western Montana’s LARGEST flea market, with more than 150 vendors attending and booths open from “daylight to dark.”
2) Bigfork Whitewater Festival: The annual event happens over Memorial Day in the “village by the bay,” Bigfork. The festival hosts between 65 and 80 paddlers competing in events like the slalom race, a down river race and boater’s cross. PS: One of the great things about this festival is that spectators can see the action from the Swan River Nature Trail.
3) 100 Favorite Things in Glacier National Park Presentation: This Saturday, world-known wildlife photographer Sumio Harada will present his thoughts on Glacier National Park in the Montana House at Apgar Village inside Glacier National Park. Sessions are free and open to the public at 11 AM and 2 PM.
4) Hit the Whitewater! This time of year makes the rivers of Western Montana very fun for paddling and rafting. Our two cents: Book a trip and go with a guide. (Not only will you be in good, trained hands, our guides know the river and will make sure you have a stellar time). Try 10,000 Waves in Missoula, Flathead Raft in Polson or Glacier Raft, Montana Raft and Wild River in West Glacier.
As for me, I’ll be wishing for rainfall during the night and some sweet summer sunshine during the day.
TT
Sometimes a girl just needs a burger. There’s been a lot of talk about burgers this week and the need to sink my teeth into one of the best burgers around was growing stronger by the day.
So on Wednesday, we hopped in the car and headed south through the Bitterroot Valley to Hamilton and our final destination of Nap’s.
The blessed menu
Loading it up
Finished product
When I was just a little towheaded girl, I used to sit and dream of summer vacation and the fun and freedom it would bring. I’d make plans to go tubing at the lake with my cousins, visit Glacier National Park and pack in as many adventures as my little eight-year-old head could dream up.
Well, it’s 20 years later and not much is different. I still look forward to summer with giddy anticipation…it’s almost silly how happy it makes me! And since I like to share (my mom made me learn when I was knee-high to a grasshopper), I’m going to share some summer vacation ideas of things to do and see around Glacier National Park with you!
Idea #1: Head to the water. Take a guided whitewater rafting trip or scenic float on the Middle Fork of the Flathead on the southern border of Glacier National Park. Glacier Raft Co., Montana Raft Co. and Wild River Adventures all operate from West Glacier.
Idea #2: Jump in a red. Instead of driving yourself through Glacier, park your car and hob aboard a red bus. Glacier Park, Inc. operates bus tours in the park, including day trips that head to various points in and around the park.
Idea #3: Saddle your steed. Hiking is a beautiful way to explore the park, but you can also see it with a nice horse on a guided trail ride. Trail rides leave from Apgar, Lake McDonald and Many Glacier.
I hope this has your wheels turning…I’ll see you in the park! 
TT