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A Week Of Playing

Friday, August 20th, 2010

This was the year. The year we decided to take a family vacation. That’s right, a FAMILY vacation…one with my folks, all my siblings/spouses and two of the cutest nephews in all of the land.

This may not seem like a big momentous occasion, but for our family getting everyone together is no small feat. The big sis and her hubbster live in NYC and don’t make it home often, my parents have a few jobs that keep them busy, and this is the first summer the little bro has been home with his own little family without being gone for chunks of the summer.

Long story short: We were so excited to vacation as a family!

And did we ever vacation. And just to spice it up even more, we had two cousins and their families join us for part of the trip. Which for this Montana girl means pure perfection.

Our trip had us playing in Whitefish, zipping down Big Mountain, driving through Glacier National Park (combined with short hikes and numerous photo opportunities), jet skiing on Whitefish Lake and spending time together under Montana’s big blue sky.

Here are some photos from our perfect week of playing…

The crew overlooking Two Medicine

We heart Glacier Park Lodge

Ahhh

Just off the Highline Trail--We could hear them ramming each other

Logan Pass & a sea of red buses

Crusing the zips at Whitefish Mountain Resort

Happy girls after conquering the zip lines

Alpine slide at Whitefish Mountain Resort - Perfect for kiddos (and adults!)

And from our family to yours, if you’re thinking of vacationing in Western Montana, you won’t be disappointed. Heck, we’ll even help you plan your trip!

Tags: Glacier National Park, Musings, Play, Summer, Whitefish Mountain Resort
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Summer Vacation: Missoula

Friday, August 6th, 2010

Fact #1: It’s summer.
Fact #2: Missoula is a pretty fabulous place.
Fact #3: You’d be hard-pressed to find anything better than Missoula in the summer.

There’s good reason that Missoula is one of the most popular “play places” in Western Montana. It has the Clark Fork running through the heart of downtown and recreational opportunities are everywere you turn your head. Plus Missoula has that big city vibe to it, with a thriving arts scene, tons of live music and some pretty stellar restaurants.

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 Missoula. Kind of like a “YOU MUST DO THIS IF YOU’RE IN THE GARDEN CITY” list.

Idea #1: Hit the water. Take a guided rafting or kayaking trip on the Clark Fork River with 10,000 Waves Raft & Kayak Adventure. No matter you’re skill level, you’ll be in good hands with these guys. PS: I speak from experience. A group of ladies (including me) hit the water with their guides in mid-June on a juicy river and it was an absolute blast!

Kayaking the Clark Fork (photo by Suzanne Ahearne)

Idea #2: Explore downtown. Missoula’s downtown is incredibly walkable and was recently designated as a historic district. Peruse the shops, grab a cup of coffee from a local shop or catch live tunes.

Downtown Missoula (photo by Donnie Sexton)

Idea #3: Hike the M. A shork vertical hike up Mt. Sentinel (less than one mile) brings you to the giant white M that watches over the city. Plus, you’ll get a nice view of the valley and your cardio workout for the day. Reward yourself with a scoop of ice cream from Big Dipper.

For more ideas on things to do in Missoula, click here or here. Happy playing!

Tags: Missoula, Musings, Summer
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Play Time

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Guess what. It’s summer. I’m in Montana. And it’s Friday afternoon.

To celebrate all three of these things, I’m getting out of town. And I’m going to get my Montana groove on. “How?” you may ask.

Easy. By hiking here.

Glacier National Park

Eating here.

Acting like I’m 7 1/2 here. (I plan on being the person behind all the water).

Big Sky Waterslides!

And getting in some bonding time with this girl.

We're excited to play in Western Montana

Summer, I totally heart you.

Tags: Glacier National Park, Musings, Play, Summer
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The Rope

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

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.
wild horses

mom and colt

And the icing on the cake?

This cowboy gave me his rope. We may be in love.

Tags: Summer
Posted in Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Native American Culture, Summer, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Going-to-the-Sun Road

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

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.

Tags: Glacier National Park, Summer, Travel Deals
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Memorial Day Happenings

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

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.

Tags: Glacier Raft Company, Missoula, Summer, West Glacier
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Summer 411

Friday, April 30th, 2010

Tomorrow is May. Hard to believe isn’t it? I know I’ve mentioned this a tad, but I’m REAL excited for summer.

Reason #1: The WHOLE family is going on a summer vacation this year. This alone is reason to celebrate. I was visiting with the babies (20 & 22 respectively) about family vacations and recalling how long it’s been since we’ve done one. Well, it looks like this is the year. And we’re vacationing here at home with plenty of time spent on Flathead Lake, Whitefish Lake and Glacier National Park.

Reason #2: It’s the 100th birthday of Glacier National Park! And to celebrate, numerous events and activities are scheduled for in and around the park, including the official rededication on May 11, the Huckleberry Festival (I heart huckleberries) and the Centennial Hootenanny (which by its name, sounds like something I’d be into).

Lake McDonald. If you can't find me this summer, you may want to look here.

Reason #3: Farmers Markets. Plain and simple, I love these. It doesn’t matter where, when or how. If there’s a local market, count me in.

Market in Missoula

Reason #4: These two jokers are coming to play with us! They live far away and we don’t see them enough, so we’re excited for their visit.

Big sis and bro-in-law

For now, I’ll keep counting down the days. And maybe go paddle a canoe in this late spring snowstorm. Oh wait, I did that yesterday!

Tags: Glacier Centennial, Glacier National Park, Musings, Summer
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Antsy Pantsy

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

The weather has been just warm enough that I find my mind wandering to summer. Which is fine and dandy, except that it’s been wandering there A LOT.

Hands down, my favorite thing about Montana is the summer. It brings visits from family and friends, farmers markets, rafting the rivers, sun-kissed tan lines and late-night visits to the local ice cream shop.

A few things I’m excited for this year: the two new zip lines at Whitefish Mountain Resort (300′ and fast!), celebrating Glacier’s Centennial, rodeos, camping, summer concerts and spending time at the lake.

But until it comes, I’ll continue my countdown to summer by remembering memories made in summers past.

Hiking to the falls with the girls.

Rodeos - one of my Montana favorites.

The Backbone of the World

Mini-golf action in Columbia Falls.

Family bonding. We love Pepsi.

PS: Dear summer, please come soon! Love TT

Tags: Musings
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9.9.09

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

In honor of today, the ninth day of the ninth month of the year 2009, I’ve put together a list of NINE thing I love about Western Montana.

1. The Big Dipper.

This place kills me softly. Sometimes I daydream about it and my all time favorite flavor: Vanilla Reese’s. Personally, I don’t view daydreaming about ice cream as a bad thing, except that it happens in the morning and then I have to justify to myself that ice cream is not that bad of a breakfast food. It’s got milk. And peanut butter. That’s okay, right mom?
2. Rafting Guides. Is it just me or are most rafting guides here adorable?
3. Glacier National Park. I spent many a summer as a young lass in the park: hiking around, paddling a canoe in circles on Lake McDonald and eating family style meals in St. Mary. Today, you may find me doing the same thing. Except that I can now paddle in my desired direction.
4. The Bitterroot Valley. Q: Do I really need to taste test the sweet potato fries from the Bitter Root Brewery AGAIN? A: Um, yes I do.
5. The Blackfoot River. Nothing beats floating the river on a hot summer day.
6. The Great Northern on a Saturday night. Have you tried it? I guarantee you’ll have a good time. Bring your boots, your sundress or your alter ego. (Sometimes I bring all three.)
7. Sitting on the deck at The Raven on Flathead Lake.
8. Griz football games. Nothing I’ve ever felt delivers quite the same feeling as sitting in Washington-Grizzly Stadium during a home game and cheering with the 27,000+ crowd. griz
9. It’s home.

Tags: Glacier Country
Posted in Glacier National Park, Missoula, Summer, Whitefish | 1 Comment »

Weekend…You Just Stole My Heart

Friday, August 14th, 2009

Weekends in Western Montana are a treat…usually because they are jam-packed full of playing that begins at sun up and continues until sun down–or later! With so much to do, it’s crucial to consider the options. This weekend is staring me dead in the face with all of its splendor. To which I say, bring it on weekend fun. Bring. It. On.

Here’s some of the choices on the docket:
*Huckleberry Festival, Trout Creek: First of all, they’ve got huckleberries. Second of all, they’ve got music. And finally, they have a Miss Huckleberry Pageant! Although I may have passed the young and cute requirements a few years back.
*Aurorafest, Polebridge: Have you ever tried the huckleberry macaroons at the Polebridge Mercantile? Those by themselves are about reason enough to visit Polebridge. But heck, combine those with live music, the Northern Lights Saloon and sushi from Wasabi in Whitefish (catered at the event) and Polebridge, I think you’ve got yourself a visit.
*Darby Fun Day, Darby: Doesn’t the name say it all? A community market, paired with an evening dance with some of Western Montana’s finest cowboys, and you may have just stolen me away from my huckelberry macaroons.
*Montana Knifemaker Show, Missoula: Okay, I know it seems random. But I am a Montana girl and I like to make my brothers proud every once in a while. I’m sure this would do the trick.

Or maybe, I’ll just go sit in this canoe.

What are you up to in Western Montana this weekend?

Tags: Events
Posted in Missoula, Summer | No Comments »