The Story Behind the "M"

The "M" is 620 feet above the Missoula Valley floor. It is 125' feet long and 100' feet wide. University of Montana forestry students cut the switchbacks into the side of the hill in the early 1900's. The first "M" was assembled out of whitewashed rocks in 1909, and given a fresh coat of paint by freshmen every year, until 1968, when all those rocks were cemented together with concrete.

Photo by Nelson Kenter, kenterphotography.com

Archive for the ‘Senior Living’ Category

Senior Dating: Pros, Cons, and Tips

Senior dating is becoming more prominent in the modern day as people realize that they want love even as they age. ... more

Montana Homestead Declaration – Why it’s Important for Homeowners

By ALLISA WINBERG - The state of Montana has a wonderful Homestead Exemption Act that is designed to protect the investment you have made in your home. Here are the details.... more

The Future of Whole Person Care: How to Better Manage Serious Illness

The Future of Whole Person Care: Renowned physician and author, Dr. Ira Byock, to lead a community discussion on how to better manage serious illness - Tues. Jan. 26, 2016.... more

Residential Water Conservation

Conserving water in your home is much easier than you think. By taking just a few simple steps, you can save water and decrease your water bill!... more

Missoula – A River Runs Through It

Missoula - a river does indeed run through it. In 1992, the Oscar-winning feature film A River Runs Through It brought notoriety to a town in the Pacific Northwest and the world was introduced to Missoula, Mon... more

Hiking Blodgett Canyon Trail

By DONNA HULL - How long has it been since you’ve been to Blodgett Canyon, the Bitterroot Valley’s version of Yosemite? Long-time Missoula boomers have probably hiked Blodgett Canyon Trail more times than t... more

Trading the Road for the Sea in Alaska

By DONNA HULL - On the fourth and final week of our Alaska Highway road trip adventure, we parked the truck in the bowels of the MV/Kennicott and let an Alaska Marine Highway ferry captain do the driving.... more

Eye Candy From the Far North

By DONNA HULL - Scenery, scenery, scenery—that’s been the buzzword for Week Three of our Alaska Highway road trip. The scenery on the Glenn Highway from Tok to Palmer topped it all.... more

Watching a Grizzly Eat Breakfast

By DONNA HULL - Welcome to week two of the Alaska Highway road trip where my husband, Alan, and I are exploring Northern British Columbia, Yukon and Alaska. ... more

Riding on a Ferry to Prince Rupert

By DONNA HULL - Hello from the Alaska Highway. What is a Missoula boomer doing on a road trip in the wilderness of the Yukon, Northern British Columbia and Alaska? Come along and find out!... more

Let’s Take a Road Rrip to Washington Wine Country

By DONNA HULL - Ever wonder what’s on the other side of the Bitterroot Mountains? Well, I can tell you—it’s the wine country of Walla Walla, Washington.... more

Spend the Day (or Night) at Painted Rocks Reservoir

By DONNA HULL - Do you like to go exploring? My husband and I were curious about Painted Rocks Reservoir and decided to find out why friends and neighbors RAVE about it. All I can say is WOW!... more

Circling the Wagons at Western Heritage Days in Stevensville

By DONNA HULL - Ever wondered what eating on the trail was like during pioneer times when wagon trains headed across the West? You’ll find out this weekend at Western Heritage Days in Stevensville.... more

Escape to Victor

By DONNA HULL - Getting away doesn’t have to mean an exotic vacation or a multi-week road trip. Sometimes, a traveling close to home will do just fine. Why not escape to Victor in the Bitterroot Valley?... more

Breakfast in the Bitterroot: Pie and Paintings at Glen’s Cafe

By DONNA HULL - Missoula baby boomers, are you ready for another breakfast in the Bitterroot? Welcome to Glen’s Café in Florence, where paintings and pie accompany your breakfast. ... more

Spend a Romantic Winter Weekend at Broad Axe Lodge and Restaurant

By DONNA HULL - Are you looking for a winter getaway that’s romantic yet offers plenty of active things to do? Missoula boomers, do I have the place for you. Drive on down to Broad Axe Lodge and Restaurant in... more

13 Western Montana Travel Resolutions for 2013

By DONNA HULL - Do you make travel resolutions? As I sit here in front of a toasty fire at the beginning of 2013, I’m thinking of all the things I’d like to see and do this year in Western Montana. What do ... more

Take a Winter Day-Trip to Lolo Pass

By DONNA HULL - How long has it been since you took a day trip to Lolo Pass? Home to one of the campsites of Lewis and Clark, and the location of trails trekked by the Salish and the Nez Perce Indians, Lolo Pas... more

Start the holiday season with a Montana Celebration

By DONNA HULL - Do you enjoy holiday celebrations as much as I do? A little snow, some sparkly Christmas lights and maybe a cup of hot chocolate and I’m ready to celebrate!... more

Hiking Blodgett Canyon Trail

By DONNA HULL - How long has it been since you’ve been to Blodgett Canyon, the Bitterroot Valley’s version of Yosemite? Long-time Missoula boomers have probably hiked Blodgett Canyon Trail more times than t... more

Hanging Out with Scarecrows in Stevensville

By DONNA HULL - This boomer city girl had never seen a scarecrow festival. The Stevensville Scarecrow Festival, Oct. 5-13th is Not to be missed!... more

One last fall hike (or two) at Glacier National Park

By DONNA HULL - Do summer crowds discourage you from visiting Glacier National Park? Now is the time for one last fall hike in a national park that’s practically in Missoula’s backyard.... more

Breakfast in the Bitterroot: Memories Cafe

By DONNA HULL - Breakfast and a scenic drive just seem to go together, don’t you think? I’m starting a new series called Breakfast in the Bitterroot.... more

Road Tripping to Helena

By DONNA HULL - Once in a while my feet get itchy for a road trip. That’s how my husband Alan and I found ourselves in Helena earlier this summer.... more

Cool off at Skalkaho Falls

By DONNA HULL - How many waterfalls are in the Missoula area? I’m sure long-time residents could fill me in. My suggestion as a newcomer—Skalkaho Falls... more

Small Town Fun at Creamery Picnic in Stevensville

By DONNA HULL - Don’t you just love a parade? I do. And, that’s where you’ll find me on Saturday, August 4, 2012 for the 100th Creamery Picnic Parade in Stevensville, Montana.... more

Missoula Home to World Champion Cribbage Player

By ALYSE BACKUS - The best cribbage player in the world is DeLynn Colvert. He's one more example of the many intriguing, unique people who call Missoula home.... more

Valentine’s Day Lunch at the Missoula Senior Center

By PATRICK RECORD - A multimedia gallery of the Valentine's Day celebration at the Missoula Senior Center.... more

The Year in the Rear-View Mirror

By RYAN NEWHOUSE. From new trails and an additional roundabout to the launch of a new streets festival and record ridership, Missoula saw lots of bikes, lots of bus riders and lots of footpaths in 2010. Here’... more

Governor Schweitzer says “Welcome”

Greetings, I am pleased to welcome you to Missoula, one of Big Sky Country’s most dynamic cities.  Tremendous recreational opportunities available year-round and a vibrant downtown social scene make Misso... more

Pleasing Your Palate in Missoula

Hungry? You'll be able to satisfy just about any craving in Missoula! Whether it's a casual meal for the family, a fine dining experience, or dessert after a concert or play, Missoula offers a wealth of opt... more

Missoula’s Markets

Saturday mornings aren’t just for cartoons or sleeping in. In Missoula, Saturday mornings are for shopping Missoula’s outdoor markets – at least when the weather is warm. When market season hits, three... more

Missoula History

The first inhabitants of the Missoula area were Native Americans from the Salish tribe.  They called the area “Nemissoolatakoo,” which translates roughly to “river of ambush," and eventually gave rise to... more

Volunteer Opportunities

Missoula is known for its giving spirit. On a per capita basis, Missoula is home to more non-profit organizations than any other city in the nation. That means volunteer opportunities abound. ... more

Take a Hike

The seemingly endless hiking and backpacking opportunities in and around Missoula offer thousands of miles of trails in wilderness areas, Forest Service lands, and BLM lands. Information on hiking in the bac... more

Missoula in Motion

Missoulians embrace green living and you'll find sustainable transportation options readily available in the city. Missoula in Motion aims to promote the city’s popular sustainable transportation system and i... more