Monthly Archives: May 2011

A Montana Memorial Day Weekend

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

From the girls of Glacier Country to you, we hope this weekend kicks off your summer right.

Happy Memorial Day!

Whether you’re spending time with your family (that’s what this girl will be doing), hanging out at the lake with friends, enjoying a backyard BBQ or taking a weekend getaway with your sugar, I hope it’s awesome. Especially as this weekend is the official kick-off to summer.

And if you’re looking for something to do in our neck of the woods, here’s an overview of events, activities and good clean fun for your Montana Memorial Day weekend.

Bigfork Whitewater Festival
Taking place in Bigfork this Saturday and Sunday, the Bigfork Whitewater Festival is a kayaking race on the ‘Wild Mile’ of the Swan River that runs through Bigfork. With all of the snow we’ve had this winter, rest assured there will be some pretty stellar whitewater for the paddlers. Saturday will feature beginner and expert slalom, while Sunday will showcase a downriver race, triathlon race and boater’s cross. Plus, there will be great food and entertainment throughout the area all weekend long.

We dig kayaking.

St. Regis Annual Flea Market
This Saturday, Sunday and Monday marks Montana’s largest flea market in the community of St. Regis. The flea market boasts more than 200 vendors selling everything from antiques to arts and crafts.

Loon & Fish Festival
The community of Seeley Lake welcomes summer with its annual Loon & Fish Festival, a family friendly event that features art sales, wildlife programs and children’s activities this Saturday and Sunday.

For more events, live music and weekend fun ideas, click here.

Have a very happy Memorial Day weekend!

Montana Bus Hunt: It’s On

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This year, our friends at Montana Office of Tourism decided to go big or go home, placing stellar photos from Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park on buses throughout Chicago, Minneapolis and Seattle.

And to that we say, BRAVO. Because when you’ve got scenery like Montana, it needs to be shared.

To add to the fun, folks in Chicago, Minneapolis and Seattle have been taking photos of the Montana wrapped buses they’ve spotted and tweeted the images with the hashtag #mtbushunt.

For us, it’s been a kick to see the buses in action, courtesy of Montana lovers throughout these cities. And since they shared with us, we want to share the photos they’ve taken with you.

MT bus in Chicago. Compliments of @myrarubin

Glacier bus in Chicago. Compliments of @KaraChicaGo

MT bear bus in Chicago - Compliments of @MNealDoherty

Beautiful landscape of GNP. Compliments of @KaraChicaGo

Yellowstone National Park image. Compliments of @KaraChicaGo

Thank you to all our tweeters that have been sharing your photos with us. And remember, if you see more Montana wrapped buses, take a photo and tweet your find with the hashtag #mtbushunt. Or feel free to share them on our facebook page.

Happy hunting!
TT

PS: If you’re looking to follow Montana Office of Tourism on twitter, you can find them at @visitmontana. We also invite you to follow Glacier Country on twitter at @glaciermt.

Northwest Montana’s Tobacco Valley

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Earlier this week, I grabbed my trusty boots, pinned up my crazy blond hair and headed to one of Northwest Montana’s loveliest locations: The Tobacco Valley.

Located about 45 minutes from Whitefish and approximately five minutes from the Canadian border is the community of Eureka, Montana. Eureka is the hub of the Tobacco Valley and home to about 1,500 residents. It’s also a popular stopping point for travelers going to and from Canada.

But don’t let that fool you. Even though Eureka is home to the Port of Roosville (open 24 hours/day), the area is much more than just a place to cross the border.

During my time in the Tobacco Valley, I strolled through downtown, ate at an organic diner (so good!) and met plenty of friendly warm-your-heart folks.

Mmmm...more, please

And I realized something that I probably already knew: Eureka is a treasure. It’s one of those communities that makes you want to stop and stay a while, golf a round (or two) with a local boy, hit the waters to boat and fish or explore the incredible hiking terrain found all around the valley.

But enough of me telling you about it. Here’s a little peak…

Lake Koocanusa Bridge - the longest and highest bridge in Montana

Stone Hill, located near Lake Koocanusa, is a popular rock climbing destination

Ah, sunset...

For more information on Eureka, click here or visit the Eureka Area Chamber of Commerce website here.

Meet you in the Tobacco Valley…next weekend work for you?

Montana May: Events & Travel Deals

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It’s officially May in Montana and that means: summer is on the way!

While typically a quiet time of year, it’s also a pretty prime month to visit. Sure, you can expect showers and cooler days but there are also fewer crowds, a quiet peacefulness and the distinct clean smell that means spring has arrived.

May. Even the Grizzly Bears love it! Photo by Tony Bynum - www.tonybynum.com

And please, don’t let May’s temperamental nature fool you. While she is a bit rough around the edges, you’ll find that under her layers, cloud cover and sporadic snowstorms, she’s hiding sunshine, the most brilliant blue sky you could ever lay your eyes on, Glacier National Park (open year-round) and some absolutely stellar events and vacation deals.

May Events
International Wildlife Film Festival
-Held annually in Missoula, the film festival (May 7 – May 14) brings award-winning wildlife films to downtown with showings at the Wilma Theatre and special events at the Roxy Theater.

Glacier Outdoor Center: Spring Boat Swap & Tent Sale
-Looking for a new raft, kayak or inflatable? On May 14 – 15, head to West Glacier’s Glacier Outdoor Center for fresh May deals on boats, rafting accessories, flies, clothing and cabin home furnishings.

St. Regis Annual Flea Market
-Each Memorial Day weekend (May 28 – 30), St. Regis hosts Montana’s largest flea market, with more than 200 vendors selling treasures. Warm up your casting arm for summer by bringing your fishing pole and trying your luck on the waters of the Clark Fork River.

Fresh Vacation Deals
Play Dirty in May
-Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish has a special package that’s valid through the end of this month. Their “Play Dirty” package includes two night’s accommodations, dinner for two (with a Mud Pie Dessert!), two muddy martinis and more. Check out the full package details here.

Spring’s On Sale
-Marina Cay, located in the adorable town of Bigfork on Flathead Lake, is offering a 25% discount when you make your reservation online. The offer’s valid from May 6 – June 9. Book online here. Enter promotional code: SPRING.

And just for fun, check out local Missoula musician John Floridis and his song “Late May Moon.”

Happy May!
TT