Whitefish, Montana

What exploration would not include a day to shop, eat locally (which means another huckleberry ice cream cone), and take in the local charms.

Whitefish is a look back at what Jackson may have been fifty years ago. Art, expensive boutique shops, brew pubs and souvenir stops line the two streets that make downtown. The large building above is the train depot and across the street is the public library and a local repertory theatre. Again, this is a place I could get used to - lots of homes and condos for sale - if anyone is interested.

The best part of Whitefish, though, were the murals of original poetry of students who wrote about real people in Whitefish, ordinary folks who are really extraordinary. The poems were illustrated and painted on the sides of the buildings for all to read and admire.

I spent the afternoon licking my ice cream and reading the poems. I thought how wonderful for the subjects of these words of love to drive into town and see someone reading "their" poem or parking their car and reading their poem for the hundredth time.