Montana ideas for summer trip
 

IF the fares for flights drop a bit, I plan to return to Montana this summer - probably in July. I'm looking for suggestions for things to see and do that aren't usually on the first round of ideas for Montana vacations.

I'll hang out for a few days at a ranch near Livingston, and then head back up to Great Falls. We had far too little time up there last trip. I plan to loop on over to Helena to visit a friend who bought a ranch with her new husband and then will drop down into Yellowstone for at least a day - and probably into the Grand Tetons too. I can't imagine staying away.

In the Tetons - I'd like to get on the water this trip - perhaps a float trip. Other suggestions?

In Yellowstone - I'd like to take a ranger led hike. 20+ years ago I took one to standing petrified trees on a ridge. Any suggestions on similar or unique ideas?

In Great Falls - LOVED the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center and First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park. Rushed too fast through the C. M. Russell Museum and want to go back and really enjoy it. Other suggestions?

I know nothing about Helena or anything or the western side of the state. On the last trip we flew out of Kalispell. Glacier is always a possibility again, but I think I'd rather see something new than go back to Glacier.

I may dip down to Island Park, ID to see where we stayed YEARS ago (30? egads!) while the "boys" fished the box canyon of the Snake River - and then go into Yellowstone from there.

I like scenic drives, seeing different stuff (smaller state parks, etc) and new experiences. Your ideas/suggestions are much appreciated.

Well stars, you've just taken me back 50+ years. Because of your post, I Googled Glasgow Air Force Base. We were stationed there 1961 to 1964. I was a young bride of 18yrs. The base was closed in 1976. The housing was brought by a private individual and renemed ST Marie and the Flight LIne was brought by Boeing. Boeing is still there but the rest is a ghost town and very sad. Base housing actually falling down as is the hospital where our son was born. So sad. When we were there the town was 20 miles from the Base and nothing in between except fields, King Springs trailer court and Rose Hill Trailer Court where we and countless other airmen lived. Wonder what's there now, if anything...

I'll go look! :-)

Any desire to see Glacier NP and/or Flathead Lake?
When checking for flights, consider flying to Spokane and then the overnight Empire Builder to Whitefish. The train leaves Spokane at 1:30AM PT every night and is in Whitefish about 8AM MT. Car rentals are available in Whitefish in the summer.

OK! :-)

Helena is state Capital..Butte has the largest copper mine in the world and in interesting. Near Boise is a wonderful interp.center about Oregon Trail..I15 from Gr. Falls goes through some absolutely breathtaking areas ie:Wolf Creek, MT. Just came back from Jackson Hole area and as always loved it all. Train from Spokane to
Whitefish sounds nice but you will miss some pretty nice scenery. You are in for a lovely ride!!

I just read this and I'm saving it here -
http://www.examiner.com/article/from...n-hole-wyoming

Helena has an attractive center. The Garnet ghost town is worth a visit.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...th/4235954990/

Well I didn't get back two years ago. Hope this summer works out. Still interested in more ideas. Thanks!

Starr's

I will be in the Whitefish area in mid June for a week. Part relo trip part vacation.
Then I will head to the gorgeous Paradise Valley. If you have never been consider it on the way to Yellowstone. I have a couple places I can recommend for lodging if interested.
I may visit a couple of the places mentioned above too since I'm also looking at Helena and Bozeman.

We did the Barker-Ewing float trip in the Tetons last summer - the early morning trip. It was amazing. Our guide who has been with them for over 15 years knew exactly where to spot the wildlife. We saw 6 bald eagles on our trip. Dress warm. Even though it was around the last week of August, the trip down the Snake River was quite cool.

http://www.barkerewing.com/