Bozeman

The drive from Helena to Bozeman was fairly quick and with an abundance of colorful rockies standing bold and vibrant This was the drive that made me say “Montana is nature’s runway” Less snow capped mountains filled with trees and other greenery, and much more reds, and purples, and oranges popping out of the big massive boulders. Rivers on one side, creeks on the other, it was gorgeous!

I traveled through East Helena, Three Forks, and Belgrade to get to Bozeman, and arrived right at the start of Downtown’s Restaurant Week

The Cannabis Scene

I spent a day with Alyssa at 710 Montana, a business owned by Stephanie who is loud and proud with posted messages that read: Buy Weed from Women. I visited the location in Bozeman, an old bar that was called the Scoop in Bozeman’s Barmuda Triangle; it’s so classy yet comfortable and inviting.

I visited their greenhouse and outdoor site which is home to 700+ plants, and 1 of 6 licensed outdoor grows in Montana I also visited their indoor cultivation and extraction Another compound filled with passionate people This was my first time seeing how a cultivation facility is cleaned after harvest, getting things ready for planting the next round of 1200 plants totaling 24 strains.

-My 710 Montana favorite: Stephanie, who is the kind of business owner that helps find/provides her employees with affordable housing when available Before moving on to the next location, Collective Elevation reached out to me and asked if I could stop in to pick up a welcome to Montana gift bag they put together for me They gave me some living soil grown magic so fire! My favorite was Ice Cream Cake

Things to See and Explore

Sculptor Park was a great experience; it offers a beautiful quiet and scenic walk. The Bozeman Library is a gem worth visiting, especially the Labyrinth Circle. Bozeman is home to the Museum of the Rockies, American Computer and Robotics Museum, and just outside of Bozeman, Big Sky. I didn’t make it there but everyone talked about how beautiful it and the sights seen from the area are

Vegan Food and Dining

Have you ever had curry fries? I love curry and I’m Caribbean born and raised so, it feels wild that it took Bozeman to show me what I was missing Backyard Burgers got me together; the curry fries bang! I also feasted at Nova Cafe and Jam who have vegan menus and dishes that can be made vegan; so good!

Billings

Located just above Crow Reservation, about two hours north of Wyoming, and along the Yellowstone River is this industrial city with a vibe very different than I experienced in other parts; but equally enjoyed

I couldn’t wait to get to my final stop on the tourBillings! And not because I was over Montana, I love it there! Before I landed in Montana, and throughout my journey, those I’d tell what I’m doing in Montana said things like: “Montana is great but Billings is different”, or “Don’t go to Billings”, or “Billings isn’t as nice as the rest of Montana”. When I got to Billings, it was the warmest place of them all; 72 degrees and sunny and I instantly fell in love. How is that not nice and pretty? Billings was the nicest and prettiest to me for certain; warmed my Floridian blood right up (LOL)!

Frosteez Cannabis Company, freeze dried cannabis, infused ice cream, and the best trail mix I’ve had infused and not. I met with Kianna and Jason, Director of Operations and Director of Cultivation. There was something about Frosteez that made me want to ask them if I could have a work space anywhere under their roof.

Prior to landing in Montana, I was asked about my favorite flavors and plant milk base. When I arrived at Frosteez, I tasted a newly created vegan ice cream with coconut as the base. It was so good and made for me. I was in love. I think I was the final taste tester because after my many reactions, all saying: “this is so good!”; I was told that it’ll be for all vegans because Vee’s Vanilla is launching!

-My Frosteez favorites are: Vee’s Vanilla and FrostDeez Nuts

I visited and met with Isabella and Candace at Elevated Montana and Twisted Biscuit. What a fierce duo of women in cannabis overseeing 10+ locations in Montana- the second largest cannabis provider in the state of Montana. Their energy is unmatched. I toured my very first commercial cannabis kitchen where the biggest variety of edibles I’ve seen are made Cookies, brownies, muffins, and cannabis leaf shaped gummies to name a few While spending time with them, I learned about Isabella’s work beyond Elevate her fight and willingness to go to battle to keep cannabis legal an

-My Elevated favorite is: Sour Diesel

In addition to this visit, Isabella and Canda me to see and meet other cannabis dispe cultivations, and business owners in the Billin MariMint who has a cool discount progra allows customers to save 10% if they sho wearing MariMint merch; and family own operated Sensic Montana, who firmly beli quality over everything

Vegan Food and Dining

I had Indian cuisine from India Grill, Asian from Hokkaido, and smoothie bowls from K Smoothie. Even in Billings, no trouble eating

Things to See and Explore

I was so happy about the heat that I ma outside while smoking and writing (LOL) Bu plenty to do in Billings: Yellowstone Nation the Rim Rocks, Pictograph State Park, a outside of Billings, Red Lodge

Final Words

These big skies and massive mountains full of treasures have something for everyone. Though the weather wasn’t consistently pleasant, what locals say is in fact true; that within a 4 hour drive, you can enjoy all seasons. Montana gave me the appearance of spring–colorful landscapes with life returning to trees– while sitting in winter in 35 degree temps, looking out into a snow storm in the mountains, with so much white blowing around you can no longer see the mountains, while seeing a clear and flowing river just beneath you and no signs of ice in sight, with the sun shining down on your face feeling like summer

Montana is beautiful and everyone should see it at least once! Go there, get lit, grab up some peace, connect with yourself, take in all of nature's beauty, and then- go home! The kind folks of Montana say that if we keep moving there, they have to keep building, and all these buildings take away from nature and the calmness of the land They love that we love it there, come enjoy it, but don’t move there!