While I was in the office at work one day, I overheard a couple of my coworkers conversing about Charlie Russell. One of the women happened to be married to a relative of Mr. Russell’s wife. Through her husband, she’d learned the following story: During his times of poverty, Charlie Russell would frequently stop […]
Historical
The Spirit of the West: Unchanged
It was once mused that the character of a city is formed by the character of its founders; this rings true especially when we discuss the towns of the Flathead Valley. Late in the 19th century, the city of Kalispell was brought to life by settlers hailing from all across the country. They all shared […]
Visiting the Shay in Columbia Falls
Adventure on the edge of the wilderness can take on many forms… We crossed the railroad tracks and were heading into town when I made the decision to stop at Depot Park. My family and I had passed the park going to and from town since moving to Columbia Falls; the park is small […]
Louisiana Bald Cypress Meets Western Larch
As Northwest Montana reaches its peak of fall color, let’s talk about trees. Not a major lecture, just a couple of elementary basics and a few connections. Most of you know that trees fall into two categories; deciduous and coniferous. Deciduous trees have leaves that change color and fall off early […]
Before They Had Cat Ladies and Old Maids….
…the Flathead Valley had these fellows. This photograph taken from a historical book about the Flathead Valley caught my eye. Two of the men in the photograph advertising “Wives Wanted” are holding cats. Adventurous men traveled to the Montana frontier in the 1800’s and 1900’s looking for work and hoping for success. Many […]
A Lecture – Voices from the Little Bighorn
As they say, there are three sides to every story – Yours, Mine, and the Truth. David, the girls, and I were there to hear the Lakota side of the story. As we entered the auditorium, we passed up the snacks and coffee and took our seats. Watching the chairs fill up, I said to […]
Mesa Verde – A Western Wonder
President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill that created the National Parks Service “…to promote and regulate the use of the…national parks…which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such a manner and by such means as […]
The Quaint and Colorful Historic Wallace, Idaho
Nestled beneath I-90 in the panhandle of northern Idaho about 40 miles west of St. Regis, Montana, is the town of Wallace. Every building in the business district of Wallace, Idaho is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the only city in the United States to have this distinction. […]
Looking for Chief Cliff
There is one major highway that runs north and south through Kalispell. It is Highway 93 and many of our adventures begin there. Heading south it winds through rolling countryside with fine views of the Rocky Mountains and Flathead Lake. Many times while gazing out the window on drives past the towns of Dayton […]
Homemade Milkshakes – An Old Fashioned Soda Shop, Norm’s News
Don’t you just love the magic of an old fashioned soda shop where you can take a step back in time and feel like a kid again? I do, and that’s why I love going to Norm’s News, but when I can’t get to Norm’s, I make homemade milkshakes at home. _________________________ Established in 1938, […]