Montana - The Big Sky State

OK, so this isn’t exactly Montana, but it is your “virtual” visit to the Treasure State. My goal with this Montana blog here on Today.com is to introduce folks to Montana, show them some of the highlights, sprinkle in a bit of history (we’ve got a lot!), and share information about all of the amazing scenery and people that call Montana home. Let’s start with some basic information to give you an idea of what Montana is…

First, you have to understand that Montana is big. It’s the fourth-largest state , in area, just behind the big three (AK, CA, TX). We’re just a little bit larger than Germany, in fact. And under our Big Sky, we’ve got an incredible array of geography and terrain. Covering the western 1/3 of our state are the Rocky Mountains, including the Continental Divide. This section of Montana is covered with green trees and rocky terrain. The eastern 2/3 of Montana, however, are pretty flat, with only occasional “island” ranges. The farther east you go, in fact, the flatter it gets. But don’t let that fool you: the terrain in the eastern portion of Montana is as beautiful as the majestic mountainous region to the west, albeit in a different way.

So what does all that space look like? According to just about anyone who lives here or has ever visited Montana, it looks absolutely stunning. In fact, that’s what draws so many of our visitors - both summer vacationers and wealthy part-time residents.  Obviously, Glacier National Park is a huge tourist attraction, with breathtaking peaks, majestic glaciers, and wildlife galore. In fact, it is often referred to as “Crown of the Continent.” And the rest of Montana’s mountains , covered with evergreens, pines, and spruces, and often flecked with snow even in the summer, never cease to amaze. The less-majestic - but no less stunning - eastern portion of the state is dotted with buttes , island ranges, and badlands , also boasts some incredible wildlife.  Check out some Google image searches of Montana, or browse the Flickr Montana pages , and you’ll understand what makes Montana so special.

Oh, and of course there’s the sky. The Big Sky. One of our unofficial nicknames, based on Pulitzer-prize winning author A.B. Guthrie’s novel of the same name.  I’ve lived and traveled in many states, from California to Florida to Oklahoma and Texas, and I’ve got to admit that there really is something unique about the Montana sky. It seems so close that you can reach up and touch it, while at the same time so large and expansive that it encompasses your whole world. Blue? Oh yeah.  Big and blue.

So there’s a brief introduction to Montana - what it looks like and what makes it special. Coming up next: the people of Montana! Demographics, working, recreation - living under the Big Sky!

Trackback URI | Comments RSS