Missoula

Story & Photos by Jan Krause

My friend Cynthia and I have a loose competition going–to see who can check off the most listings in Montana Off the Beaten Path by Michael McCoy.

I think we're about tied in the Flathead County Section. She and Joe recently visited the Creston Fish Hatchery to watch the trout breed, and last year took the bone-jarring drive to Kintla Lake–neither of which we've attempted. On the other hand, Rick and I stayed at the Hornet Peak Lookout two years ago, enjoyed three Flathead Festival concerts last year, and hiked the Danny On Memorial Trail a few years back. Cyn recently boasted that they'll be checking off the Festival and the Danny On trail this year, but Joe, who's had a career in the Forest Service, swore he wouldn't stay in another lookout unless forced by the powers that be. I'm not sure, but I think we're still tied.
Because of the contest, it was only natural to suggest to Rick that we visit some unexlpored places in the book for my birthday excursion this year. Off we went to Missoula , targeting at least three attractions to visit.

The first checkpoint was The Shack, a Missoula breakfast tradition. Selections ranged from the more traditional sausage, mushroom and swiss omelet (Rick's choice), to banana bread French toast (my preference), to panfried trout or lamb chops with eggs. Fortified, we ventured out into the pouring rain for the second checkpoint, the Farmer's Market. (Thankfully, we had our Gore-Tex rain jackets in the car.) I wish we had also remembered the cooler, so we could have stocked up on the amazing assortments of just-picked vegetables displayed at the Hmong booths.We settled for a bunch of Walla Walla onioin bulbs to plant in our backyard, and an apple twist coffee cake for the next morning's breakfast.

 
The carousel at Caras Park was the third checkpoint–it's listed in the 2nd edition of the book, but not in the first, so we had to write it in our copy. The horses have been beautifully restored, and adults seem to enjoy the ride as much as the kids. It ws my lucky day and I caught the brass ring and won a free ride (which I'm saving for our next visit).

"Paint," is one of the most colorful horses on the carousel.

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St. Michael's Church, constructed in 1863, was moved to the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula in 1981.

Our fourth and last official stop was the Historical Missoula Museum at Fort Missoula. Although the book stated ther was no admission fee, $2.00 per adult is actually charged to visit the main museum building ($1.00 for seniors and students, and free to museum members and children under 6)–it's well worth the fee. The displays of historical photographs with descriptive texts are fascinating and the museum is a good place to get a feel for the past.

From the museum you can walk around the grounds and visit the other buildings (several of which were moved here from other locations), including: the Grant Creek Schoolhouse (built in 1907), St. Michail's Church (built by the Jesuits in 1863), Sliderock Lookout (constructed in1933), and the Internment Camp Barracks (constructed by Italian internees detained during WWII).

Sliderock Fire Lookout now sits on the gronds of Fort Missoula.

 

In between, we stopped at shops and galleries on Higgins and Front streets, made a quick trip to the Southgate Mall for an Eddie Bauer fix, and ended the day with a wonderful Italian dinner at Zimorino's Red Pies Over Montana. Montana Off the Beaten Path is a quirky resource guide, whether you're searching for unique spots to take your company or yourself. Watch for future "Day Tripper" ideas, whether off or on the beaten path.

P.S. I didn't gain any points this time. Cyn & Joe had already been there and done that!