Why You Should Visit Montana!
The first time I went to Montana it was almost an afterthought. I was driving from Chicago to California. I had a friend in Bozeman, so I decided to go through Yellowstone and spend a few days in Bozeman. Like me, my friend was originally from the south and had lived in Chicago for years. I was curious about what drew him to Montana (besides his wife who was born and bred there). Once I arrived, I wasn’t curious anymore. I fell in love with the state.
Years later, when my husband and I were looking for a way to take advantage of my remote work situation and his reduced workload in the summers, we decided to pack up the kids and the dog and move to Bozeman for a month.
The line I really relate to here is “Montana inspires you to strip down and be yourself.” I think even my kids felt that the month we were there.
These are city kids, but the moment they arrived in Bozeman they were ready to explore. The slowed-down pace of Montana inspired my husband and me to explore a little as well. We tried everything from whitewater rafting to fly fishing. In the video, Turning Pages, the publishers of Mamalode talk about what a special place Montana is for raising children and how that led to their business.
It wasn’t just that we were on vacation that allowed us to spend more time together as a family, it almost seemed like the area was designed for us to do so. Hiking, camping, fishing, these are all much more family-friendly activities than what we have available in the city. We spent most of our month in Bozeman, but we also visited Billings and we went to both Glacier National Park, and Yellowstone. Through MOSS (Montana Outdoor Science School) my daughter even did an overnight trip in Yellowstone. Our Montana summer was two years ago. The kids have decidedly moved into the tween stage, and claim that there’s no way they’d want to go away with their parents for a month now.
But they still talk about our time there on a regular basis. I feel strongly that Montana gave us a chance to bond as a family in a way that we still feel the importance of today. I know that even with a month we barely scratched the surface of what Montana has to offer. Whether you have a week, a month or a lifetime choosing Montana is a great idea.
For 16 years, I have been the creator & full-time blogger of Mom Spark. I’ve also created content for numerous outlets such as Good Housekeeping, Better Homes & Gardens, & Huff Post.
9 Comments on “Why You Should Visit Montana!”
LOVE Montana! I love this video, featuring Elke, who I have the pleasure of meeting. She’s such a great marketer and entrepreneur. I love her passion for her home state!
I cannot wait to get to Montana! I’m so close to visiting all of the states and it’s definitely at the top of my list!
Montana is on my travel bucket list for 2017 – I’ve heard so many great things about this beautiful state but have never had an opportunity to visit. Would love to make it happen!
Same for me! I can’t believe that I haven’t been yet. It simply looks beautiful.
I’ve spent several summers and early falls in Montana. My parents are both from the Rosebud area of the eastern part of the state. There is more culture and life and fun to absorb in Montana than any other place on earth. I always enjoy going back, I learn something new every trip and hope that the rich outsiders don’t ruin it all trying to make it like California or New York before all of my grand children get a chance to take in it’s simple but most majestic elegance.
my classmates profile says it all— my body resides in Indiana but my heart and soul dwell in Montana. God’s sense of humor placed a mountain man on the flatlands of the Midwest. Go figure!!! My little sister Mary Francis (suicide in 98 )and oldest son Shon(2010) ashes find eternal rest below a tumbling waterfall falling hundreds of feet down a sheer rock face into the cold clear turquoise waters of Francis lake in Glacier National Park. These feet have traveled in quiet communion with the Great Spirit all over that paradise we are fortunate to call Montana,and ALL my boys and grandchildren know where my ashes are to be spread.The ONLY reason I stay in Indiana is because I love my wife Brenda more (by a nose at the 4th turn)and she won’t leave the grandbabies.So if she goes first get off the tracks the Murray train is heading to Montana!!!! It’s where God goes to think when he takes a break from us!!We ALL need to slow down and find our roots again,and Montana is the journey back to the quiet peaceful place, our soul.Yeah,guess I kinda like the state, too.
So if there’s a poet seeking release from your heart,a lover in search of something to love unconditionally, a wanderer ever wandering to distant horizons,then GO WEST young man or woman and create memories that in silent reverie will ever remind you of the happiest days of your life.AND if your none of the above,you probably will be after spending some time in the West’s own version of the Garden of Eden. It brings out all that is precious to you when you let it.Everyone should be required to go to Montana before they pass on,just so they can see just how truly blessed we are to live in this country. (Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, Washington and Oregon too.)But Montana— two thumbs up , three cheers to God,hands down MY number one choice.
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