In Which a Merry Christmas is Wished to All

Christmas is a time for spending with family and friends, but lots of people in Montana in the 1800s ended up spending Christmas away from their families. Miners, and lumberjacks, and railroad workers all ended up spending many Christmases in camps scattered across the unpopulated plains and mountains of Montana. It may seem bleak but, … Read more

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The Montana State Park Where an Oasis Awaits

The transition between the days of the buffalo and life on the reservation was not easy for the Native American peoples.  As the white men continued to move across the country, and settle in the west, the Native American way of life was undergoing immense changes that would forever affect the people.  Chief Plenty Coups … Read more

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A Glimpse of Glacier

Reynolds Creek Fire Update I’m sure many, if not all, of you have heard about the Reynolds Creek Fire that is burning in Glacier National Park.  I mean it’s national news, and has even been mentioned on the Today Show. The fire has burned around 4,000 acres, but Glacier National Park covers 1.1 million acres.  … Read more

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HSTR 321: Helena and Its Origins

In one way or another, I am sure everyone has had the experience of saying, “let’s give it one last chance.”  Whether it was a relationship, hobby, business endeavor, or career path, the sentiment is far from foreign.  The Four Georgians, who are to thank for putting Helena, Montana on the map, also shared this … Read more

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The Montana State Park Where There is Ghost Writing

Fatigue grips your body. You have been travelling for hours with no shelter from the elements.  There is snow covering the ground and the wind is howling, freezing your extremities.  In the distance you hear the cry of a bobcat, and something rustles in a bush at your feet.  Along the horizon you make out … Read more

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The Montana State Park where I Refrained from Jumping Off the Cliff

The whoop and cry of the braves. The startled bellows of the bison as they plummet to their death. The schthichk of skin ripped from flesh. The chanting murmurs of the butchers. Wood smoke. Dust.  Blood crushed grass. Raw meat, slowly heating in the sun. This is the pishkun, the deep blood kettle. For over … Read more

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The Backbone of the World

I remember taking a family road trip to Glacier National Park as a child.  Driving from Helena, MT to East Glacier, we carefully followed US 89 (a route known as the National Park to Park Highway as it connects twelve National Parks, but we will save that for another post).  As we followed the trail … Read more

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Montana’s Mother Lizard

Every state has a variety of symbols that are meant to represent the history and heritage of the state in perpetuity: a state flag, motto, animal, flower, bird, and song.  Yet, there are 7 states that have not adopted a state fossil—lame!  Montana of course, rich in dinosaur bones, is not one of those states.  … Read more

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