Big Sky Blog

Wanna go for a helicopter ride over the Crazy Mountains in central Montana? Marnee Banks, a reporter for KXLH in Helena, did a story on the Montana National Guard, and she got to ride with them in a Blackhawk helicopter – and kept the camera rolling while airborne – cool!

Awww, how cute. Randy tipped me off that the city of Chicago is trying to whip up its citizenry in a “battle” against Montana.  Apparently, the state of Montana has launched an ad campaign in Chicago urging residents to behold the majesty of the Treasure State, and the Chicago Tribune isn’t taking to kindly to it; here’s some excerpts from the paper’s challenge:

Chicagoans, the time has come to defend our civic honor against a large enemy: Montana.
They are trash-talking us, Chicago! Montana is thrusting its mountainous finger right in our Midwest faces, taunting us with its magnificent scenery and world-class outdoor recreation.
Are we going to take it, Chicago? Are we just going to let Montana kick Lake Michigan sand in our faces?
Join me, friends: Let’s tell Montana to fly-fish this.
The Chicago Tribune hereby announces “Take THAT, Montana,” a photo campaign in which we are asking readers to assert their civic pride.
Post your best photos of Chicago-area nature to chicagotribune.com/nature: woodlands, wildflowers, lakes, birds, deer, butterflies — anything that proves that we’re in the outdoor beauty game too.
Let’s show our civic pride, people, and show Montana — and each other — what we’ve got.
It’s on. Bring it, MT. We are going to make you IL.

It’s all in good humor, of course, and I have no problem with Chicago trying to generate some civic pride in their community.
But…really? As if ANY place could top Montana in natural beauty and scenic wonder, much less a major metropolitan area!

Someone from Nebraska visited Montana and offers up some opinions; here are a few excerpts:

I try to avoid Montana in the winter for obvious reasons, however, I got sent to a small town about eighty miles from Glacier National Park, so I had to go.

I left Butte Montana, headed North to Great Falls, and wow, did I get hit with ole man winter. It took five hours to drive 154 miles.

The view of the Rockies from this little town of Choteau was breath taking. Marvelous. As far as you could see from right to left were fantastic snow covered Mountains. It was like looking at a winter paradise.

In the middle of the mountains was the small town of Lincoln. Yup, there is a Lincoln Montana. They were knee deep in snow, and one guy was out in a t-shirt shoveling snow in eight degree weather. I guess he must be used to it.

Full article here.

A Kossack is breathless over the possibility that Gov Schweitzer might be named as Obama’s VP pick; also of note is that Obama is visiting Montana again.

Some cool Montana train pics over at Dogcaught; best line: “Don’t let anyone tell you this part of Montana is flat!”

Dirty Red Commie caught Tom Servo and Crow watching the Olympics – at least on an NBC affiliate in Montana.

(Begging everyone’s indulgence, I thought I would repost this item — a week or so late from the Hebgen Quake anniversary. Originally posted here.)

Growing up in a small town in the middle of nowhere, the loudest and most oft-voiced lament was, “Nothing exciting ever happens around here.”

As fairly recent events have proven, this isn’t always the case.

Of course, being a relatively young western town, there are plenty of stories about exciting stuff that had already happened.

Hi, it’s me, bonkrood. I’m testing my posting abilites. In case you don’t know, I live in Butte. I was born here, raised elsewhere, and now I’m back and I’m usually very unenthusiastic about that.

Seems we got a national AP mention this weekend, a story all about how Butte’s Berkeley Pit reels in the tourists. There’s some other, historical information about Butte in the story too.

I can say what I want about the Butte of today (and I usually do) but I still contend that it’s a pretty interesting place historically. We are kind of the roughneck stepchild of Montana, and most of us are fine with that. Politically, it’s almost the only place in the state where I’d fit in anyway. I think I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I’ll probably be here a while. Which means, look for more Butte stuff from me on the Big Sky Blog.

Of course, Kalispell, isn’t really in the boonies but we’re really close! I’m Jen and big thanks to David for setting this blog up.

It should look smashing when it’s done or at least that’s what I’m hoping for.

Currently in Kalispell, the weather is a cool 71 degrees but you could never tell it by looking outside, there’s a slight wind and cloudy skies and it looks like it’s going to storm.

I am a native of Montana, born and raised in Kalispell. In fact, I’ve lived in the same building since I was born – so yeah – really native. However I hope to move in two years, probably to California for schooling and then off to see wherever Uncle Sam puts ole Jen.

I’m also on the FHS Debate Squad and I told David that when we come to Great Falls – we’re kicking their ass. So hopefully I can carry through on that promise/threat.

Have a great Sunday everyone.