It's August 2022 and so much has changed since I wrote this blog in 2013 and 2014. I'm now 82 years old and living in the Wild West State of Montana in the North West part of the United States. In 2020 my husband passed away just before Covid started. I moved to Tennessee to live with my daughter. After a year of working remotely, her company decided she could work that way permanently. She chose to move to Montana to be close to her sister, so now all three of my children and two of my great grandchildren live within ten miles of me. Where we live is in a small town (population 300). Dutton is located about 80 miles south of the Canadian Border and about 50 miles east of the Rocky Mountains where you can find hiking trails, ski areas, camping areas, etc.. Although we are surrounded by rolling fields of grain - wheat, barley, hops, etc. - we have beautiful views of the mountains in the distance.
I enjoyed writing the blog about my country and I hope you can get a glimpse of it through my blog. No matter where I live I have found there are friendly people and wonderful local "sights" to see. When we moved here I was afraid that there would be nothing to do or see nearby. Was I ever mistaken!
These small rural towns make their own activities and the people completely support the local sports teams. In Power, where my older daughter lives, they have an annual fund raising weekend called "Harvest Fest". They have lots of activities including street dancing, a Fireman's Breakfast, Pie Social at the Senior Center, a Silent Auction, a Steak and Shrimp Dinner followed by a live auction of many items that have been donated by the townspeople, farmers and sponsoring companies that buy the grains from the local area. This raises money to support the Fire Department, Senior Center and the High School Sports Program.
Just a few miles away is a town by the name of Bynum. They have a wonderful Dinosaur Museum. It's not large but they have the first "baby" dinosaur skeleton found and a number of dinosaur eggs that have been found in the Two Medicine and surrounding areas. Next door is a Rock Shop that has many beautiful items to explore from simple polished rocks to kitchen or bathroom sinks made from polished stone. Naturally they have jewelry pieces and other items from quartz, onyx and other stones.
About half an hour's drive south of us is the city of Great Falls. It is where we buy groceries and anything else we need. There are several museums including the Charles M. Russell Museum of Art, Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Malmstrom Museum and Airpark among others. The Fairgrounds in Great Falls have exhibits and shows, along with rodeos, concerts and exhibits throughout the year. In the summer is a fun filled State Fair. Western Art Week , a huge Art Show, is held at the Fairgrounds in March. There is a Symphony Orchestra, Mansfield Center for the Performing Arts, unique restaurants, nearby parks and nature areas. Malmstrom Air Base is on the East side of Great Falls. Shodown Ski area is just over an hour's drive south of Great Falls. Lots to see and do!
https://www.planetware.com/montana/top-rated-things-to-do-in-great-falls-mt-us-mt-47.htm
Montana doesn't feel like an isolated, lonely place to live - it's alive, vibrant and exciting with much to do and see. I love the small town life and don't miss living in large cities at all. Everything I would like is within a short distance of home. I do miss the crazy city traffic - gladly!
