This past summer my mind was blown as I was introduced to Montana in a completely foreign way. Growing up a Montana local in the small town of Anaconda, I am no stranger to the multitude of activities Montana has to offer.
I had heard of this prestigious and almost fictional resort where people who want to enjoy the ‘Montana Experience’ can come and take part in a whole range of activities from going on a cattle drive to white water rafting. This place is called Paws Up Resort.
Paws Up Ranch Entrance, Greenough, Montana
Paws Up resort is located in Greenough, Montana. This resort is not your typical getaway, five star service is delivered on 37,000 acres of Montana countryside. The famous Blackfoot River runs through the middle of the property and the resort captures all of what Montana has to offer.
The ‘Tank & Trough’ at Paws Up Resort.
Along with cattle drives and the white water rafting activity mentioned above, the resort also offers guided ATV rides, horseback trail rides, repelling, fly fishing trips, covered wagon rides, sporting clays, paint ball, archery, mountain biking, and hot air balloon rides. Guests are also able to spend time on Seeley Lake at a private lake house with the ability to rent powerboats and personal watercrafts.
The location that guests lay their head is also not the typical hotel room or even luxury suit. There are many different log homes located throughout the property that include a hot tub on the deck and a complementary vehicle to travel around the property. Some log homes also have a tent included.
A popular option for guests is camping alongside the Blackfoot river. Any outdoor enthusiast who has explored Montana’s beautiful backcountry can attest to the relief once the tents have been constructed and camp has been made. One of the most popular amenities at Paws Up is the option to camp glamorously, or Glamp. Paws Up coined and pioneered the glamorous camping experience.
Glamping threw everything I knew about backpacking and camping into a blender, added some ice, tequila, fresh squeezed lime, Cointreau, Damiana, and blended that shit into the best margarita possible. A camp butler then served that margarita in a salted glass to a guest on a leather couch, sitting by a fireplace overlooking the Blackfoot River. This act of Glamping astounded me every time I walked into the camp pavilion.
This is one of five camp pavilions associated with the Glamping tents.
The tents are a whole different story. Each pavilion is home base for six different wall tents, a camp butler to assist guests, as well as a private chef for breakfast and dinner. Each insulated wall tent is complete with electricity, running water, a full sized bed, sometimes bunkbeds for the children, heated blankets, heating/cooling unit, tiled bathroom, walk-in glass shower and the occasional hot tub on the deck. One of the most known and favorited tents is the ‘Honeymoon Tent’ at Cliffside Camp. This tent is perched on a cliff and has a copper tub that overlooks the Blackfoot River.
As you can see, this is not the normal camping experience that a majority of people are accustomed to. A bell staff is on call for all Glampers for rides to and from all activities. Fresh linens are supplied daily, a fully stocked fridge awaits at the pavilion and a campfire awaits marshmallows.
The Wealthy and the Famous
Throughout my employment at the resort I was a bellman for a short period then an activity guide for the remainder of the summer. Paws Up stays fairly full throughout the busy months- June, July, August, and attracts a large range of customers. As you could conclude from the lavish amenities, the price tag to put your family up at the resort in Montana is far from comparable to a night at the Days Inn. This resort caters to a clientele that is very well off financially. One large car company had a week long demo at the resort debuting their new electric sports car. Other big corporations hold massive company retreats inviting management to come and enjoy what MT has to offer.
Included with the wealthy, is the famous. Due to non-disclosure agreements and not being able to gain permission from publicists I cannot say exactly who I interacted with so aliases will be provided.
Many of the famous travel for pleasure just as everyone else does. Movie stars and even royalty enjoy the activities with their families and loved ones, and have a blast doing it. I had the pleasure of meeting a Princess from Saudi Arabia. Her group was a complete blast, I was the archery guide for her group one afternoon and the lake guide another day. During archery, everyone got their turn in learning how to use a compound bow. Everyone really starts to have a great time once they start hitting the targets with the arrows. The competition between family members ensued shortly after.
I also had the pleasure of meeting a guy that has starred in some great action movies. I’ll call him Tim, his publicist wouldn’t grant me permission to use his name. He was a great, down-to-earth guy who thankfully wasn’t as fierce as some of the roles he has played. Tim was there with his family and also had a great time with me on the archery course. His son really started to excel with the bow and Tim was a natural, hitting the vital area of the target multiple times.
In conclusion, I was glad to meet everyone I encountered throughout my employment, at Paws Up Resort. All the guests were enjoyable and a pleasure to guide and interact with, while the management and fellow employees made working there a very fun experience.
With only 1,023,579 (2014) people in the 4th largest state in the U.S., it’s hard to imagine that in a place like San Francisco, with 852,469 people (2014), there are some bazillion coffee houses pulsing throughout the peninsula. This guide examines the top 15 coffee houses in the treasure state.
Geography
Let’s take into account of the space of Montana for a second. It’s pretty big-meaning that if everyone got their own piece of land, it would be 6.8 miles square. So it is difficult to navigate a coffee scene that is divided by this much space and not buildings.
Roastery
We also gave brownie points to brew spots where they had roasted their own coffee. Montana has a small intimate economic environment and so it’s no surprise that the roastery business seems like nurturing a relationship rather than performing business. A lot of coffee shops examined were using similar beans and similar espresso machines. The key diffferences between coffee shops then become softer and less factual than geography and roastery. In researching our sample size, which included 70+ coffee shops around the state, the cheeky question of ‘on average, what quantity of espresso beans do you use each day for crafting espresso drinks to drink on site?’ was asked. Some were reluctant to reveal this number, others felt no pressure, and for some it is difficult to estimate. However the specificity of this question can be referenced to provide a general inference for how much revenue is made with those beans, kind of like through-put in a manufacturing plant.
Coffee Connoisseuring
“To recognize, develop and promote specialty coffee.”
After accounting for the coffee shops location, and the to roast or not to roast question, the ability and efforts of the cafe to include the community and share coffee knowledge was taken into consideration. Some cafes or roasters do not have the capacity to utilize traditional coffee engagements, but other forms of community involvement were taken into account based on the audience of each individual organization and their geography, again.
The Best of the Last Best Place
Polebridge Mercantile-Polebridge
This cafe is a weird one. It is a jack of all trades by far. Nestled over the river and through the woods, literally, this little shack is the place of gathering over a good espresso for many. There are plenty of specialty coffee spots around the state but this one tops the list for being geographically located right next to Glacier/Waterton National Park. Canadians and Montanans enjoy lattes and, the local favorite, a bear claw whilst gazing at the iconic scenery. The espresso machine is a bit old, like the character of the building, and the town, and the park, but that is what makes it so infinitely beautiful. Give the latte a try and breathe in the freshest air in the state and try and tell me you hate it. Just try.
Coffee Factory Roasters-Redlodge
This tiny ski town is similar to those trickled along the continental divide. The powder falls and the mountaineers crowd the area. This little roastery becomes a port to skiers and boarders alike, fueling them for the day’s new runs. The tourists that arrive in the summer for the idyllic drive up the mountain and nearby pig racing attraction often stop and chatter about with the locals. In the winter, after the mountain warms and the ice melts and the lifts stop, the crowd slowly and sometimes sorely, saunters back to the coffee shop for a warm up.
Rock Creek Coffee Roasters-Billings
Rock Creek Coffee Roasters is one of the older roasters in the area. It has a perfect location in the heart of the downtown of Montana’s largest city. Inside, the roasting is done right next to where the drinks are served. Bags of beans, roasted and not, are scattered throughout the cafe making a meaningful impression on those who visit. The company has stayed true to its italian roots in keeping drinks simple and not adding all the ‘loaded extras.’ If coffee isn’t your best friend, but after this place it might be, they offer a small selection of bottled beverages and light snacks. If anything, stop by, grab a latte, and shmooze with the barista over that week’s upcoming concert next door.
Rockford Coffee Bar and Roasters-Bozeman
Cyclists and coffee experts gather at this local watering hole. Rockford coffee bar is a mecca for integration of roasts and espresso drinks. The roaster boasts the nickname ‘Bozeman’s coffee of choice.’ This is a true statement based on the number of people in the coffee bar at any given time of day. The roaster sells their beans online so those traveling or those who stopped in and fell in love with their techniques-like I did-can have the fresh roasts delivered straight to their door just after roasting has ended.
Wild Joe’s Coffee Spot-Bozeman
Wild Joe’s sounds like a safari or something not related to coffee other than the word Joe. But do not be fooled by the name. WJ’s is spot in the heart of downtown Bozeman and is sure to ignite a curiosity for coffee in anyone. The interior features a coffee bar structure as you order from the barista and further along the cafe are a wide variety of seats expanding all the way to the back of the building. In the back, is the best area. The cafe features local coffee information and new updates on brew methods and where their coffee source is currently. I read a fascinating article about the history of coffee from 1974 while waiting for my latte. While the store doesn’t roast their own beans, their impeccable coffee knowledge and adoration are something to be admired. I highly suggest stopping in after a snowy day on the mountain.
Sunrise Coffee-Missoula
While this coffee picture wasn’t from the actual cafe it still represents the attention to detail at Sunrise Coffee. Pat, the owner, and coffee specialist has dedicated a day once a month to sharing coffee expertise. The Coffee Lab, as he calls it, is a workshop like orientation to explore variations and brew methods of coffee. This cafe is a hidden gem and rightly so for the treasure state. Not too many locals know about it, but the cafe is slowly joining the local coffee hype.
Off The Leaf Coffee Company-Billings
Anyone and everyone seems to know of Off The Leaf in Billings. You’ll be hard pressed to find someone that hasn’t gathered at the 819 location. Started in 2008 and still going strong, the company uses profits to help fund nonprofits, both local and those pertaining to coffee growing. The bar is also home to a pay it forward board on which locals pay in advance for others drinks. Thus many firemen and policemen can be found reading the newspaper with their morning cup. If you ever have time, try out their new location just down the street for a more intimate feel. This new location also has a drive through, so if you’re on your way out of town it’s a quick minute for one of the best coffees around.
Morning Glory Coffee-West Yellowstone
When I spoke to the owner of this wayside cafe located just feet from the oldest National Park in the country I was enamored with his affection for the industry. In such a rural area, but also highly trafficked during seasonal periods, it is rare to find such a commodity. The owner was extremely aware of the coffee scene nationally and has been in past years a member of the Specialty Coffee Association of America. The coffee house also features Montana Made goods and Teas. It is the ultimate spot for Yellowstone visitors, souvenir hunting, and coffee lovers.
International Coffee Traders-Bozeman
International Coffee Traders is the perfect study sanctuary. Located less than a block away from Montana State University, this roaster and cafe is a picturesque sample for any prospective student magazine or publication. But don’t let their demographic fool you, their coffee is just as in top-notch as any Blue Bottle-esque cafe. While they don’t offer any cupping classes they do encourage coffee passions and anything related to the nearest ski hill.
Gil’s Goods-Livingston
Gil’s goods is a one part to a menage a trois of entrepreneurial endeavours. The coffee part comes from the restaurant slash bakery. The building is part of an old hotel, The Murray, and is definitely a must see if you’re ever in Livingston. The small town encourages tourism and travel, especially being on the gateway to Yellowstone National Park. This shop provides the perfect pick me up and one of the best lattes in the area. You might even be lucky enough to bump into Kesha or Leonardo, like some of the locals have.
Colter Coffee-Kalispell
Colter Coffee is the epitomy of western when it comes to a cup of Joe. The coffee collective of Kalispell knows too well that Colter Coffee is the center for good coffee. If you’re looking for a true western experience and happen to be near Glacier National Park, I highly encourage going here. The company was one of the firsts in the area to integrate light roast coffee. The friendly barista’s will always tell you about the weather, what activities are going on that weekend, and always, always share their love of coffee.
Montana Coffee Traders-Whitefish
Montana Coffee Traders roasts their own beans making it a highlight of the Whitefish downtown scene. The company has locations across the northwest region of the state. Since 1981 the company has been roasting beans out of its iconic farmhouse. A fact the company likes to share is that the beans are roasted at the same altitude as they are grown. The company also sells to multiple coffee houses and retail organizations across the state. Polebridge Mercantile, a middle-of-no-where-place we will see later, is a recipient of the beans.
Black Coffee Roasting-Missoula
Quonset huts are corrugated galvanized steel structures that usually aren’t utilized as coffee houses. But when Black Coffee Roasting Company expanded it seemed like the perfect design for a unique experience in sharing coffee. The shop now features other beverages other than their homemade beans but with local ingredients. The simplicity and minimalism is the perfect interior to harbor a specialty coffee crowd. The shop does not offer wifi to explicitly create a more meaningful and intimate environment.
Revel Coffee Roasters-Billings
The most hipster of the selection of coffee shops in the state. You’ll be fortunate to find this one if you have time in Billings, MT. The craft coffee connoisseur and owner of the biz is Gary Theisen. He’s been featured in Sprudge and noted in numerous local publications. His goal is to change the perception of coffee and roasting strategies. He began roasting when he was fifteen and continues to share his passion and insatiable curiousity with customers frequently. His operation is small but no less in quality. His coffees are featured around the community in various restaurants, retail locations, and other coffee houses.
Cold Smoke Coffee-Bozeman
Fairly new into the coffee scene, Cold Smoke arrived in Bozeman, MT in 2011. The coffee house was started from a passion to share coffee. The roaster and cafe promotes awareness of where the sources come from. The roastery is off site, but I’m sure with a nice smile and little conversing about the love of coffee, owners Caleb and Laura would let any coffee aficionado in for a tour. With regular cuppings and various other community engagements this little cafe can easily boast being, if not number one, in the top five coffee house around the state.
Conclusion
While this coffee shop list is not exhaustive, the shops in here were specifically looked at for the three above engagements. This survey was conducted only on studies basis and was not paid for by any organization. Photos taken from Instagram accounts of businesses or related location tags.
James Rahr is a Marketing Major at the University of Montana. He anticipates graduating in the Fall of 2016. Coffee is a passion of his.
We all know of The Walt Disney Company, one of the world’s biggest entertainment companies. Whether through its movies, television shows, or theme parks, Disney plays a huge role in millions of children’s lives all around the world. Growing up a Disney fanatic, I thought I was updated on all the magical secrets of Disney. It wasn’t until recently, when I began applying for the Disney College Program, that I realized how much I had been missing out on. Whether you are a fanatic or not, these facts about The Walt Disney Company are sure to blow your mind!
1. The Walt Disney Company is the largest single-site employer in the United States.
The Walt Disney World Resort, in Orlando, Florida, employs over 62,000 people. That’s practically the entire town of Missoula!
2. Disney’s Annual Revenue has only decreased twice since 1991.
As shown above, the only time that Disney’s revenue decreased was in 2002 and 2009. Disney’s stock market price has gained over 48,000% in the past 50 years, even gaining over 180% in just the last 5.
3. Disney is an owner of some massive entertainment companies you wouldn’t necessarily expect.
It makes sense that Disney has ownership in entertainment companies such as Pixar Studios and Marvel Studios, but did you know Disney also has ownership in companies such as ABC Family, Hulu, and even ESPN?
4. Walt Disney holds the record for the most Academy Award wins AND nominations in history.
Walt was personally nominated 59 times and won 32 times in his career. He even once took home 4 Oscars in one night back in 1954!
5. Speaking of Oscars… On the year Walt Disney won the Academy Award for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs he received a special Oscar.
Just like the picture shows, Walt Disney was presented with one regular sized Oscar and 7 miniature Oscars the night he won the Academy Award for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs back in 1939. Awwww!
6. Only 2 out of Disney’s top 5 grossing films are animated.
Usually when people think Disney films, the first ones that come to mind are animation films. However, the top 5 grossing films for Disney are: Marvel’s The Avengers, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, Toy Story 3, Iron Man 3, and Frozen.
7. Disney’s animators are notorious for hiding characters of its own movies in other films.
The picture above includes one of my favorite examples. If you look closely you can see that Boo from Monsters Inc. is giving Sully a Nemo toy. This is clever on Disney’s part, for the movie Monsters Inc. (2001) was actually released 2 years prior to Finding Nemo (2003).
8. Although Monsters Inc. was released 2 years earlier than Nemo, the ideas for both films actually came from the same lunchtime brainstorming session back in 1994. Other ideas that were plotted at this session included the films Wall-E and A Bug’s Life.
The original Toy Story had not even been released yet by 1994. It’s insane to think that all these films were crafted just a year after I was born.
9. Walt Disney was once the only animator in the world allowed to make films in color.
How is that possible you might ask? Walt Disney held the patent for Technicolor for two years in the 1930’s, which gave him the exclusive rights to making films in color.
10. Steve Jobs was Disney’s largest single shareholder at 7% and was on the Board of Directors.
If you look closely in the Pixar movie Cars, you will see the above car on the racetrack, symbolizing Steve Jobs. The 84 painted on the side represents the year the first Apple computer was released. Disney World also honored Jobs by flying its flags half-mast on the day of his death in 2011.
11. Disney World, which is about the size of San Francisco, was evacuated in just under 30 minutes on September 11th, 2001, as staff were concerned it could become another target for the attacks.
Safety is Disney’s number one priority and is taken very seriously. Disney staff members also worked through the night on September 11th to put up Fourth of July decorations in order to reopen the following day with a feel of national solidarity.
12. After September 11th, Disney also successfully established a no fly zone at both of its theme parks.
Disney isn’t kidding about its safety precautions! These are the only “planes” you are going to be seeing around their theme parks today. Disney has successfully established a no fly zone, extending out in a three mile radius from Cinderella’s Castle.
13. There is an exclusive club at Disneyland which is said to have a wait list of 14 years.
Club 33 is a private club located in New Orleans Square and includes a beautiful five-star restaurant. At one point, Club 33 was also the only place in Disney which served alcohol. It is rumored to have an initiation fee of $25,000 with annual fees of about $10,000! I highly suggest if you ever visit Disneyland to take a trip to New Orleans Square and get a picture with the famous door.
14. Wayne Anthony Allwine, who voiced Mikey Mouse for 32 years, ended up marrying Russi Taylor in 1991, the woman who voiced Minnie.
Talk about happily ever after! The adorable couple above stayed happily married from 1991 until Allwine’s passing in 2009.
15. Disney really is “The Happiest Place on Earth.”
This one may seem a bit obvious, but Disney Enterprises is the official owner of the trademark “The Happiest Place on Earth.” There is really no other company or place in the world like it.
This blog was written by Kayleen Woodin, a marketing student at the University of Montana. Kayleen has been a “Disney fanatic” her entire life, but was just recently accepted into the Disney College Program, where she will spend her next semester in Orlando, Florida at Walt Disney World .
Ever since we entered kindergarten many of us have dreamt of this time in our life: growing up. Growing up has always sounded so glorious. You finally get to have complete freedom to make your own decisions. This time in your life is now only a blink away and reality is starting to set in. You are now able to do what you want, when you want, and live where you want. You are no longer under the constant watch of your parents or instructors. With that comes the filthy truth you are also now in charge of the bills! We all hope to land a kick ass job right after graduation, and if you did, congratulations! But if you didn’t, here are some budget hacks for you, my fellow young professional, to help you through this transition period until you are the CEO of your dream company.
ONE: I’ll do it tomorrow… I’ll do it tomorrow… NO, TODAY!
If there was a degree given for procrastination, I would have my PhD. You might too, I know, I saw you in the library beginning that case analysis at 1 AM the night before it was due. Sure, I have some success stories that resulted from my procrastination, but I also have a lot of stories I never want to think about again. We do not want our financial situations to look like those failed projects, poor test scores, or garbage papers. Money does not grow on trees people! We cannot wait until the night before we leave the comfort of our college town to figure out how we are going to have enough money to get where we are going, to pay the bills, and to put food in our mouths.
TWO: 9-1-1 I need money, right now!
Emergencies happen, life happens. You can never be too careful. Be prepared so if your nightmares become reality you do not have to worry about how you will support yourself during a crisis period. It is vital to have a savings account with money that you do not touch unless absolutely necessary. It is likely that some of us will get fired, quit a job before we have a new one, have a family or medical emergency, etc. It’s not going to be all smooth sailing from here, we’re going to have some waves come and try to take us down. Let’s be prepared. Let’s not add eviction on top of a job which doesn’t work out. Word of advice: when you receive each paycheck put some of that into your emergency savings account. Put aside enough money that you are building up your account but not too much that you are forced to eat Ramen for every meal. This emergency fund should have enough money to at least support your basic needs for two months. Start this fund today!
THREE: Make budgeting your buddy.
Set a reasonable budget for yourself and stick to it. This will not be easy at first, but it is going to be an important habit for any young professional. Create a monthly budgeting accounting for rent, utilities, groceries, any basic medical needs, and a little bit of fun money. If you have debt, make sure to have your monthly payments included in your budget. If you do not have debt, consider putting that money in your emergency fund. Write your budget down and track it closely. Insider tip: Excel is an easy tool to help you stay organized and on track with your budget. Start a spreadsheet and update it regularly to make sure you are still within your budget for the month. This could also help you to notice trends in your spending and areas where you could cut down your expenses. There are many apps that can be downloaded to your smartphone or tablet for easier budget tracking. There are so many of these apps that different apps may appeal to different users, so you have to do some exploring on your own to figure out which one works best for you. Here are my top three favorite budgeting apps to help get you started; Spending Tracker, HomeBudget, and Mint.com.
FOUR: Debt free with a degree!
You may feel as though you’re drowning in debt, but you’re not alone! You’re a young professional and having debt is normal. The task is to tackle this debt so that it does not impact you for the rest of your life. The last thing you want to be haunting you while you’re trying to get your feet on the ground is the big bad debt! College is expensive, I get it. Let’s take care of any debt you have acquired soon, as in start paying it off NOW! Once you have managed your debt you can begin saving for luxuries such as a Michael Kors bag, a weekend away at the beach, or whatever you wish. Be patient, those things will come over time but your debt has to be taken care of first. Also, be reasonable the point of paying off debt is not to accrue more.
FIVE: Credit cards: your best friend today, your nightmare tomorrow.
Credit cards can be fantastic. It might feel like play money, in-fact you might not even remember that you spent it until the end of the month. Sounds great, until the bill arrives and you were expecting a $75 credit card bill that somehow crept up to $750. If you want to use a credit card for the rewards they offer or to improve your credit, make sure you have the money to pay it off when the bill arrives. You do not want to acquire debt and end up paying interest when it is unnecessary. Credit cards can be helpful when thinking about applying for loans in the future for your next car or your first house, but they can also be so very dangerous if you are not responsible. So be very careful! If you cannot use a credit card responsibly, get rid of it until you are in the habit of closely tracking how you spend your money. Remember: as I mentioned previously, two ways you could track your spending would be through Excel or a financial app that tracks your spending.
SIX: So you’re in love… What about money?
You’ve found the one. He or she is absolutely perfect in every way. Moving in together would help with this whole budget thing too right? Maybe. Here are a few financial issues to consider before you take your relationship to the next level. Do your financial situations and goals match up? Does your partner have debt? If so, how much and is there a plan to pay off that debt? Consider this carefully before you decide to marry your partner and take on their debt. If you have a serious partner, make sure you are having conversations about one another’s current financial situation and future financial goals. If you are both on the same page, wonderful! If not, seriously consider the impact of this on your personal future and your relationship. It will be difficult for you to stay focused on your goals when you are around someone who is not as financially responsible.
Yes, I know, you’re only 20-something. Retirement is so far away but before you know it the time will come. Wouldn’t you rather be financially prepared than having to work forever? Start a retirement fund at your first job. Even contributing a small amount to a retirement fund is a significant contribution to your future. Because retirement funds are not taxed, you often can contribute with minimal impact on your take home pay. The sooner you start, the more security you acquire, so do not delay!
This blog was written by Anne Hagerty. Anne is a senior graduating from the University of Montana in May of 2016. She is about to take on the real world as a young professional.
The ‘Tank & Trough’ at Paws Up Resort.
This is one of five camp pavilions associated with the Glamping tents.
