Big Sky Country Truths

Mountain goats will share their path and lead you over the top of the peak.

We discovered the remnants of wildlife in the trees: a red bra, a lacy bra, a floral bra all left their tracks in the forest.

Huckleberry lust is a must in Montana. Huckleberries are abundant in northwest Montana. Most huckleberry products come from wild Montana berries - it is impossible to raise huckleberries- they are all wild!

Mimicking elk bugles, wolf howls, grizzly roars, or hoary marmot squeaks are not allowed in the National Parks.

It is perfectly acceptable to name a wildflower what you choose, just don't mess with the Latin name.

Glacier National Park is named for the glaciers that formed the geology we see today. Glaciers come and go.

The crystal clear turquoise waters that run in the rivers and pool in the lakes are created by the fine granules grounded by the slow moving glaciers.

A new study by David Chadwick, long time Glacier Park devotee, on the wolverine has just been published, The Wolverine Way.

His study revealed that wolverines are not lone rangers, but hang out with spouses, kids, and friends. David's description of the 'wolverine way' may describe some people we all know or want to know:

"I've learned the wolverine strategy: Go hard, and high and steep and never back down, not even from the biggest grizzly, and least of all from a mountain. Climb everything: trees, cliffs, avalanche chutes, summits. Eat everybody: alive, dead, long-dead, moose, mouse, fox, frog. Warm or frozen."

Charlie Russell, the famous artist of the West, lived along the shores of Lake McDonald in the early 1900's. He loved to tell stories so if anyone walked by on their way to a favorite fishing spot, he would catch their ear, and swap some whoppers. It wasn't unusual for Russell to have a lump of clay in his pocket. During the conversation his hands would be maneuvering whatever was in his pocket and as they said their goodbyes, he would hand the visitor a perfectly shaped horse, moose, or bear!

Ashley, a park geologist that shared her knowledge during the week shared this story: As a park ranger, some days she was to just drive the Sun Road and pull into turn outs to talk to the visitors and answer any questions. She arrived at the first vista point and saw many dozens of Harley's - big, loud, chopped cycles - ridden by big, loud, tattooed, hairy, muscular critters. I must mention that Ashley is petite, not over 100 pounds, real cute. She cautiously put her hand on the radio set on her hip and took a deep breath walking toward the riders as they dismounted their bikes and walked to the edge of the overlook. She stood by to take any questions - not wanting to interrupt their time observing nature. Suddenly, the biggest, hairiest, wildest one turns and runs toward Ashley, grabs her with both arms, lifts her into the air - and as she is trying to catch her breath, he gushes with tears in his eyes, "This is the most beautiful place I've ever seen." She learned never to judge a rider by his tattoo again.

Forever wild.