Montana is a one of a kind state. Most of Montana is accustom to “Arctic Vortexes” and extreme temperatures, it’s nothing new for Montanans. Wildlife is abundant in Montana, with the largest migratory elk populations in the nation, its normal to see herds of the animals grazing on mountainsides. Most people have heard of the book Huckleberry Finn, but did you know that huckleberries are really edible berries and grow wild in Montana? Who know that there is such a thing as the world’s shortest river? We all know there were famous California gold rushes, but Montana also rushed out $32 million gold and silver in the 1800’s. International mountains and glaciers attract numerous visitors every year to Glacier National Park. The majestic American Buffalo roams free in Montana as well as national preserved on the National Bison Range located on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Montana’s steamy, geothermic pools and geysers in Yellowstone National Park and attract many visitors every year. Have you ever thought about playing a game of golf with with a Frisbee and your dog? Montanans play this crazy game during the warmer months of the year. One more weird thing about Montana is possibility that the Swan Princess could have found her home in the south portion of the state. With all the weird things about Montana, this state is definitely a unique and one of a kind state.
It is Really Cold
With recent Arctic Vortexes rocking the nation, Montana is no stranger to the subzero temperatures. The lowest temperature ever recorded in Montana was a blistering -70, which occurred at Rogers Pass on January 20th, 1954.
Elk in Huge Numbers
The largest migratory elk population within the northwest region of the country find their home within Montana. In between 15,000 to 20,000 elk migrate through Yellowstone National Park into the heart of the Northern Rocky Mountains in Montana every winter.
Wild About Berries
One delicious, seasonal treat that grows wild in the Montana Rocky Mountains is the huckleberry. These delicious wild berries are cannot be farmed, due to the specific elevation needed for them to grow. Huckleberries are best harvested between the months of June and mid-September. Montana is the home of one of the only huckleberry businesses in the United States.
One Short River
Did you know that there is such a thing as the world’s shortest river? The Roe River is only 201 feet in length and flows from Giant Springs to the Missouri River. The Roe River is located near Great Falls, Montana and has a foot bridge that stretches over it for easy viewing purposes.
Gold Rush Montana
The famous ghost town of Elkhorn, Montana has a elevation that is over a mile high and started mining in 1872. Elkhorn mined $32 million in gold and silver. With the old 19th century buildings and mining town setting, this ghost town is a wonderful tourist attraction during the summer months.
International Glaciers
Glacier National Park in the northwestern part of Montana is the largest national park within the state with 1,583 square miles. The park stretches across the United States border into Canada, which makes it an international park. Glacier National Park is home to 68 different animal species and 277 documented bird species. Montana’s Glacier National Park has over a million national and international visitors every ten years and generates abundant amounts of revenue every year for the state .
Saving America’s Buffalo
The American Buffalo were nearly driven to extinction in the late 1800’s. However, Montana ranchers worked together to preserve these magnificent creatures. Today, the National Bison Range on the Flathead Indian Reservation has about 350 head of bison, not counting the new babies that are born every year. Wild herds of buffalo roam the mountains near Yellowstone National Park and one of Montana’s slogans is “let the buffalo roam”. Montana has saved one of America’s most beautiful and astonishing animals from extinction and will continue to do so.
Steamy, Geothermic Goodness
Montana’s other well-known and frequently visited national parks is Yellowstone. With the world’s largest array of geysers and geothermic pools, Yellowstone attracts numerous national and international tourist every year. At sunrise, the stream spools off the geothermic waters, spilling over the edges of Mammoth Hot Springs. It’s really a steamy show.
Crazy Games and Crazy Laws
Montana has some very interesting laws, one of which states that the game of “Folf” cannot be played at nighttime. If you don’t know the game of “folf” is, it’s a mixture of the games Golf and Frisbee. Many Montanans play this game with a cooler of beer and man’s best friend, their dogs. However, Montana had to develop a law for this regulating this game. Montana State Ordinance 2797, 6-23-1997, states the following; ” 5-13-2: Folfing Prohibited. No person shall play or engage in the game of folf or throw a golf disc at nighttime in any area within the business improvement district that has not been sanctioned as a designated folf course by the city.”
Home of the Swan Princess
Large populations of Trumpeter Swans find their homes in Montana. With the largest population of trumpeter swans in the south portion of the state, Montana holds the largest majority of the species in the northwest region of the country. Trumpeter Swans actively bred in Montana and migrate to and from the state seasonally. Montana could be the original home of the Swan Princess.
It’s so fun living in montana…great blog!
Montana is great, but, yes, pretty weird a times!