Montana

Outdoorsy, backpacking types have always been attracted to Montana.  Lately they’ve been joined by many Hollywood actors -  Michael Keaton, Andie MacDowell, Tom Cruise, Keifer Sutherland, and Ted Turner have all bought their own pieces of "Big Sky" ranchland.  Montana is  a gateway to Yellowstone National Park (although most of the park is in Wyoming, three of five entrances are in Montana).  

Billings, Montana’s largest city, was established in 1882.  Back in those days, Calamity Jane was a local celebrity.  While in town, visit the Western Heritage Center and the Yellowstone County Historical Museum, both of which have exhibits that tell of the city’s frontier past.  If you are interested in camping, hiking, and water recreation visit the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.   

If close encounters with large predators, hiking cliffside trails, and venturing into remote, mountainous terrain are not your bag, then may we suggest driving past the entrance gate to Glacier National Park? On the other hand, if unparalleled scenery and the opportunity to see the full lineup of wildlife that greeted Lewis and Clark when they swung through Montana way back when is your notion of a great vacation spot, then Glacier is your kind of park.

Glacier National Park is rated the 10th most popular of the U.S. national parks.  This park is dotted with over 50 glaciers and 200 lakes, waterfalls, trout streams, cliffs, forests, wild flowers (which are spectacular in the spring and summer), and mountains.  This park is actually a joint preserve and recreation area maintained by the United States and Canada.   

Helena is one gold-rush town that survived.  Today it is the state capital and home to the Montana Historical Society Museum, which showcases western art, photography, exhibits, and state archives.  Another must see is the state Capitol.  It is covered with a dome of copper that was originally mined in Montana.  

 

 

Montana is bear country so be wary.

Try chocolate-covered Huckleberries - they are delicacy.

Try your hand at mining sapphires at the Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine.

If you aren't used to riding horses, plan a short ride - unless you want to be saddle sore and standing for days on shaky legs!

 

 

 
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