The clouds begin to break and open like windows revealing mountains covered with fresh snow. They look new and because of the cold clear air seem to have moved closer. I am always amazed that individual trees can be seen on the higher slopes from several miles away. This particular view is just north of Bigfork, Montana.

This northern portion of the Swan Range dominates the Flathead Valley to the east and is contained within the Flathead National Forest. Directly behind this part is the Hungry Horse dam and fifty miles of reservoir. It’s wild country and beautiful. There are few roads and the Forest Service keeps most of them closed for their own use. For all practical purposes the entire range is a wilderness area. A good thing for backpackers and horsemen. For the rest of us there are post cards and Forest Service brochures.

The National Bison Range is located in Western Montana, north of Missoula and south of Kalispell. It is one of my favorite places in Montana. My wife and I made the trip from Kalispell twice this month (mid-January).
In the winter the main part of the range is closed to visitors but the portion of the road that runs along the east boundary is open for several miles to a turn around point.
We didn’t see any buffalo, elk or bighorn sheep but the whitetail deer were everywhere. On the other hand we saw only a hand full of people. I like it like that. Unlike the blue sky and sunshine we had on the first rip the second was overcast and foggy. The whitetail deer were still in abundance. This was one of the better shots.

The Range, about 28 square miles, is bordered by cattle ranches and is contained within the boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation. This is cow country- a remnant of the old west. If you are interested in such things I recommend a short detour off of U.S. 93 above Missoula at Ravalli west to S.R 212 and north to the range. From Kalispell heading south on U.S. 93 just passed Ronan, take S.R. 212 west through the town of Charlo and on to the Buffalo Range. Make sure you bring your camera.

West of Choteau, Montana- the beginning of what use to be the Buffalo Plains. This was Blackfeet country.
It is dryer, less timbered, more wind and much colder in the winter than west of the divide. It remains cow country- real cowboys on horses working cattle on real ranches. Their land is measured not in acres but in ’sections’ (read- square miles).

The Great Divide is none other than the Continental Divide. In the U.S. it runs north to south through the Rocky Mountains- from Montana to New Mexico- from the Canadian to the Mexican border. Among other things it determines where water will go. West of the divide all water will flow to the Pacific Ocean- east of the divide it flows to the Gulf of Mexico/Atlantic Ocean. It stands to reason that conceivably it would be possible in the mountains to straddle the divide, take a leak and watch half heading east while the other goes west. Forget I said this- it’s something a guy ponders while sitting around the campfire at night. So, ladies, in defense of men everywhere- we have other things on our minds besides wine, women and song.

Above Two Medicine River- (not visible in deep gorge) flowing southeastward out of Glacier National Park and across the Blackfeet Indian Reservation on it’s way to the Missouri River. Located just east of the Continental Divide this area is the eastern boundary of the Rocky Mountains and the beginning of the plains.

It is a treat to drive through here in late summer or early fall. The term “high, wide and handsome” applies here. Actually, ‘high, wild and handsome’ is a better fit.

Located between Kalispell and Whitefish, Montana- the ‘Cowboy Church’ is a blend of country and western. It is a real church for real people. The atmosphere is laid back and friendly and the dress is jeans, boots and cowboy hats which can be worn during the service. Reservations can be made here for where you want to spend eternity- the good place ,as opposed to that other place.