A few days with the Grizzlies

We got to spend almost three days in Missoula, home of the Grizzlies. I admit it now, I’m smitten. The town is picturesque -- built along a beautiful trout stream.  And there is a lot to do! 

So what did we squeeze into our time there? I love that we got to do local stuff, in addition to seeing tourist attractions. Many thanks to Shawna Reinhardt, the hostess with the mostest!

Two signs read: YCJCYOBFTJ; and  IITYWYBMAD

We ate at some great joints! Including: Cafe Rio; Tamarack Brewing Company (bison burger!); Double Front Café (a reviewer on TripAdvisor said, “You don’t know what you want? Have the fried chicken! You want a light meal? Have the fried chicken! You’re a vegetarian? Have the fried chicken!” Guess what we had. The four piece dark meat dinner for $7.50.) (We also got snookered into paying for songs on the juke box. Look at the signs over the bar and see if you can figure it out.); the famous ice cream mecca, the Big Dipper (Fabulous and such great flavors -- I had one scoop cardamom and one scoop lemon coconut curry – both to die for); and Shawna’s house.

So we’re definitely not perishing. In case you were wondering.

We also had some great adventures.

Our biggest adventure was driving through the National BisonRange. The NBR was established in 1909 to bring back Bison from the brink of extinction. There are now 300 to 500 bison on the property. We saw so much wildlife, including a badger (my claim – Jan disputes this), many deer, pronghorn antelope and elk. And, of course, bison. Lots of them. Blocking the road kind of numbers. But really, the main thing we saw at the NBR was scary, windy, no-shoulder-sheer-drop-off, switchback roads. Shawna was our hero as a driver (except for that one time when she almost drove us off the cliff). As Jan said to her when we finished the loop, “Thanks for not killing us.” Adrenaline is a powerful drug.

The Saint Ignatius Mission is right near the Bison Range on the Flathead Indian Reservation. It was built in 1893. The interior of the church is full of gorgeous frescoes.

Perhaps the most unusual thing we did in Missoula was go to watch souped-up go-karts at the BigSky Kartway. Shawna’s son races there. It was fascinating. It’s always interesting when you realize that something you’ve never heard of before has a whole world unto itself.

Edulog, the company Jan buys school bus routing software from, is based in Missoula. (Our friend Shawna works there.) They held a tailgating party at the University of Montana campus before a Grizzly game. I don’t know how I got to 54 without going to a tailgating party, but this was my first. And the Grizz fans are pretty darn avid. There were over 25,000 people at the game, and seemingly all of them were tailgating. Yowza! It is clearly a huge social activity for this city of 67,000.

As the game was ready to start, Jan and I hiked the “M.” There are plenty of switchbacks to help you cover the 600 feet of climb. There are also benches strategically placed at points where you think your lungs are burning. Of course there are also plenty of fit runners and families carrying children, etc. Jan claimed to be the oldest person on the hill.

I have had a few "spells" while here in Montana, which worries me a little, but nothing bothered me on that great hike!

The best billboard we saw was for the “Testicle Festival,” or “TestyFesty” for short. Look it up.

Best activity not previously listed: WE DID LAUNDRY!!!!! Not that it was needed or anything. Should have been listed earlier, because it really was exciting.