Montana Fall Roundup

  Did you know that today is the first day of fall? Of course you do. Turns out, so do the people at Montana’s official tourism regions. Back in the old days, fall meant roundups. the big ranches would bring their cattle in from their summer pasture to winter them closer to home. Today, fall … Read more

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Hiking Lolo Peak

Lolo Peak trail doesn’t actually lead to Lolo Peak. The trail switchbacks for 3.6 miles through beautiful lodgepole and larch forests and steep meadows to Carlton Ridge. Along the way, breaks in the trees offer stunning vistas as range after range of mountains tumble away in all directions. To the northeast, the jagged Missions cut … Read more

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Ashley Lake

Last weekend was not the rainiest most miserable camping trip I’ve ever been on. It was rainy, sure, but far from miserable. We went to Ashley Lake, about 25 miles west of Kalispell. Although surrounded by Flathead National Forest, there are quite a few private homes on the lake, which surprised me. After driving for … Read more

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Making a Home at the Homestead Cafe

The most seductive phrase in the English language is “Breakfast Served All Day.” Pair this with “Homemade Huckleberry Milkshakes” and you need look no further for your next meal. We found exactly such a place while driving through Lakeside: the Homestead Café. Part café, part antique store, everything is for sale at the Homestead. We … Read more

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Follow Lewis and Clark through Montana

Markers, monuments and interpretive centers scattered around the state bear witness to the time that the Lewis and Clark expedition spent in Montana. President Jefferson charged the expedition with the exploration of the Missouri River, with the hope that they would find the mythical Northwest Passage, a water route that would connect the Atlantic to … Read more

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Aboard the Empire Builder

  The lounge car of the train, with its arching tinted windows, chrome inlays and sturdy vinyl seats evokes a mid-century glamour. Occasionally a conductor will stroll through, stomach straining the buttons on his vest, one thumb tucked into a vest pocket, importantly checking the big round face of the watch at his wrist, calling … Read more

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Life on the Plains: The Museum of the Northern Great Plains

My favorite thing to do in fort Benton is to stroll along the levee eating ice cream from the Freeze. Unfortunately, weather doesn’t always cooperate. The weekend we went was muggy, windless and clinging on the verge of 90 degrees. On such days, the best policy is to visit one of the town’s five museums. … Read more

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Bannack Days

One of Montana’s premier events, Bannack Days is here again. Click here for a schedule of the packed full weekend. Click here, for SouthWest Montana’s video of Bannack Days from a few years ago (you may have to scroll down a bit).  With exhibits, performances, meals, tours, demonstrations and music, Bannack days is one of … Read more

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