Traditional Indian Games

This past weekend First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park near Ulm hosted traditional Indian games at the park. These kids are playing Double Ball and I think you could best compare it to lacrosse. The double ball is just that…two pouches or two sticks or bundles latched together. There is a loop or cord and those sticks waving in the air are trying to catch that cord. An umpire throws the ball in the air … Read more

Fort Benton Opens Starr Gallery

With all of the festivities I have come to expect, the community of Fort Benton opened a new section in the reconstructed Old Fort Benton. Last weekend seemed a bit cool and rainy but inside the reconstructed fort the fire was cracklin’, people were mingling and some were dressed in their finest fur-trade era decor. The newest building in the fort is called the Bourgeois House (I pronounce it boo-shway) and that’s close to correct! The bourgeois … Read more

Kite Exhibit – Visions of Lewis and Clark

Today the Great Falls International Airport officially unveiled a phenomenal kite display, hung throughout the airport terminal. This is one exhibit that you could not miss if you are in the airport! Colorful, large, and varied – you’ll see it in several areas but most prominently at the check-in counters and at baggage claim. The exhibit was commissioned in 2001, before a lot of us had “Lewis and Clark fever”. America’s most reknowned kite builders … Read more

Big Sandy’s Historical Museum

Many people drive right through Big Sandy, MT on US Hwy 87 without planning a stop. My advice – take a break and visit the museum as you are out and about this summer! I took some time last week and stopped at this neat and tidy building located just a couple blocks off the highway. This former depot building is a community center and a great repository of the area’s history. I was captivated by the “wall of brands” … Read more

Cabin or B&B – Tough Choice

After enjoying a short canoe/kayak trip on the Missouri River near Virgelle we chose our lodging for the night – options were B&B rooms above the Virgelle Merc or the unique homestead cabins. Hmm – tough choice for me. I really love the charm of the homestead cabins and the bath house. I was also pretty sure I would wake up at sunrise if I was in a cabin and then I’d get some great photos (if I got … Read more

Calm Waters of the Missouri

I had spent the day scurrying around, packing for a multi day trip, and getting odds and ends of things done at home. Mid afternoon I was meeting some friends in Virgelle to spend the night and hopefully work in a short canoe or kayak trip. The Sunday afternoon drive was a looker – changing scenery, green fields of winter wheat, the Highwood Mountains on my right and finally a glimpse of the Bear Paw … Read more

Shelby Salutes Veterans

A few weeks ago I was in Shelby, Montana and drove up by their large US flag to view their new Veteran’s Memorial. They hadn’t completed landscaping yet but I wanted a quick photo since I was there. This weekend is Memorial Day and I decided this was an appropriate time to use the photo, even without the landscaping. Many of the communities in Central Montana will have ceremonies to honor fallen heroes and we hope everyone … Read more

Catching Dinner

The big question here – will dinner be peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or will it be fresh-caught walleye or trout? This river has been known to offer quite a variety of fish, all in one day. An afternoon of fishing hadn’t paid off for this lady yet but there was still time. We were on the banks of the mighty Missouri fairly close to the Virgelle ferry crossing last weekend. Fort Benton was having their annual Spring Fishing … Read more

Fundraiser For Big Sandy Skate Bowl

If you know me, you know that I am NOT someone who rides a skateboard! It sure looks fun though and I get a kick out of watching all ages hop on a board and jump into a curved bowl of concrete. You gotta be filled with adrenaline when that happens! On my way to Chinook last weekend I stopped at the rest area in Big Sandy (US Hwy 87). Earlier in the week I … Read more

Pine Butte Guest Ranch Tour

It’s always fun to tour around our fabulous guest ranches in Central Montana and last week was no exception. Pine Butte Guest Ranch, owned by The Nature Conservancy, sits in Teton Canyon west of Choteau, Montana about 25 miles. It’s a beautiful setting and an easy drive. The guest ranch had not yet opened for the season but some of their training was scheduled to start the day after we were there. Once the season begins, … Read more