I’ve always felt it is hard to put into words how special Autumn in Central Montana can feel. Ther air becomes light and crisp, the sky holds a new shade of blue and everything inside of you is compelled to get outside and soak it all in. It’s an experience that almost makes you light headed and giddy. Speaking of getting outside, the other part about Autumn in Central Montana is all of the … Read more
Memories seem to pop up as I watch each season change. This time of year the changing colors of Montana’s fall landscape remind me of family times spent hunting. We rarely went upland game bird hunting although I’ve grown fond of that in recent years. Antelope (fastest land mammal in the Western hemisphere) and deer were on our hunting list. They’d provide good lean meat for the freezer and were usually nearby. I first remember … Read more
Most kids seem to have unlimited energy and an endless curiosity to discover new things. Quench that thirst for exploring and take your kids for a hike. Learning moments often begin with finding something new – a pine cone in the forest, a trail that ends in a waterfall or discovering unique shaped rocks. With just a bit of pre-planning, it can be fun for all and the kids will come back excited about what … Read more
Was I looking for ghosts or was I looking for gold? Neither. I think ghost towns are interesting, a bit sad when you see the remnants in disrepair, but you realize there are lots of memories there. I had heard about the ghost town of Kendall and I had some spare time so my journey began. I had a brochure from the Lewistown Chamber of Commerce (406-535-5436) about Ghost Towns & Gold Mines for Fort … Read more
The Kings Hill Scenic Byway on US Hwy 89 is 71 miles of scenic beauty for those who just want a beautiful drive with diverse terrain. It’s also a year ’round recreation playground with public lands surrounding most of the highway. The Byway begins about five miles east of the town of Belt at Armington Junction where US Hwy 89 turns south. Private ranches border the highway here with public access to Belt Creek. As … Read more
Last week I enjoyed two vastly different sections of the Missouri River, one in a canoe, the other in a raft. I first strapped on my river shoes to slide a canoe into the water on the southwestern edge of Fort Benton. Mid September usually means low water and this year was no exception. The Bureau of Land Management has a convenient launch site but I’ll just say, we did not resemble eels gently slithering … Read more
Central Montana offers an amazing variety of outdoor activities as the fall season approaches. Top of my list of favorites is an evening canoe or kayak trip on the Missouri River. In Fort Benton you can launch at the edge of town at a campground managed by the Bureau of Land Management. To access it you drive through the Chouteau County fairgrounds. It’s an easy launch. Water levels and flow on the Missouri River in … Read more
It seems like when I am out of the area marketing Central Montana I am asked why we call ourselves Big Sky Country. For travelers who have been to Montana, they understand. But sometimes my response is…you just have to experience our skies. My favorite sky is filled with puffy white clouds, what I refer to as cotton ball clouds. But, every now and then we have some amazing moody skies too. Follow along as I remember … Read more
First of all, thanks to Carol Ann Schaeffer in Winnett, Montana for sending these two beautiful photos. Three weeks ago I drove by Winnett enroute to a meeting in Sidney. I had a fair amount of miles to go and I didn’t take the turn in to Winnett. Now I can enjoy photos of the fall beauty that may have just been starting when I was there. Winnett is in Petroleum County and both of those names will usually … Read more