A family connection to homesteading led me to do some research about it. Both my maternal grandfather and grandmother filed and proved up on homestead claims in Montana. I found homestead cabins that you can rent by the night at the little town of Virgelle, Montana and knew I had to book a visit. But first, here’s some history of how homesteading came to be in the United States. There were two homestead acts that … Read more
When talk of gathering the family for a camping weekend started I was so excited. There is nothing I enjoy more than spending time with my kids, their spouses and my grandkids, all of us together, relaxing and having fun. As the weekend drew closer though, all of my “things to do” kept swimming around in my mind. Weekends are when I can attack my list of chores and it seems like that list never … Read more
The time – 215 years ago – when the Lewis & Clark Expedition was at the location we now call Tower Rock State Park. This easily accessible and incredibly scenic location was where Meriwether Lewis climbed to the top of this volcanic rock, looked back and noted in his journal that he saw a “most pleasing view of the country they were about to leave”. If he had any idea of what arduous terrain they … Read more
Choose your weekend and begin exploring the diverse landscapes of Central Montana. This weekend suggestion will have you visiting a state park, doing your choice of activities – from hiking, fishing, floating, seeking out a waterfall, adding to your bird life-list and soaking in hot springs. Let’s start! We’ll begin by leaving Great Falls and driving east on a highway of many numbers – US Hwys 87 and 89 and MT Hwys 3 & 200 … Read more
Easily accessible, scenic and historic trails weave through several of Central Montana’s communities and offer a variety of recreation and scenery. Lewistown Trail System The Lewistown Trail System has 24 miles of trail for walking and running. Find the trailhead on Main Street (211 E Main) in the business district. The trail system connects all of Lewistown’s public schools, a nice perk for kids and teachers who want to bike or walk to school. Big … 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
It’s typically not top of mind on a crisp and breezy January day when you decide to visit a park. This isn’t just any park though – it’s the nation’s largest county park with some incredibly varied terrain. I only saw patches of snow, somewhat rare for January, but those beautiful endless blue skies had me captivated. The statistics. Beaver Creek Park begins 10 miles south of Havre. The park is a mile wide, 17 … 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
Joplin hosts an annual Art In The Park and Car Show each June and it was on my list of events to attend this year. And what an event it was! There were vendors of all kinds, live music and over 60 vintage vehicles in the car show. And, of course, I couldn’t pass up a yummy slice of pie at one of the food booths. What kind? Raspberry rhubarb with pecan topping. Homemade, unique … Read more
Last fall I was in Choteau and had a chance to visit with Maggie, one of the owners of Dropstone Outfitting, a stock-assisted hiking company. We met in a pasture and that ultimately led to my little crush on Ruby the mule. While Maggie and I were visiting, a mule wandered over and snuggled right up to her. I soon found out this was Ruby, a now-retired employee of Dropstone Outfitting. Ruby wasn’t overly persistent … Read more