Bitterroot Valley Vista 2013

BITTERROOT VALLEY 2013

vista

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Bitterroot Valley

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is published by the Ravalli Republic Newspaper Publisher: Jim McGowan Editor: Sherry Devlin General Manager: Jim Coulter Production & Design Jodi Lopez & Dara Saltzman Project Sales Frannie Cummings Kathy Kelleher Jodi Lopez Justine Morris Bitterroot Valley Vista 2013 is a publication of The Ravalli Republic, a division of Lee Enterprises. Copyright 2013 by the Ravalli Republic.

Florence...........................5 stevensville...................13 victor...............................22 corvallis........................28 hamilton.........................37 darby, conner, sula....46 salmon.............................53 cover photo: Perry Backus

232 W Main, Hamilton, MT 59840 406-363-3300 www.ravallirepublic.com

photos this page: Perry Backus, David Erickson and file photos

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DAVID ERICKSON / Ravalli Republic

WELCOME TO THE BITTERROOT VALLEY! All of us here at the Ravalli Republic love sharing the beauty and vitality of our communities with all the friends, neighbors and newcomers who visit our valley each year.

Inside this edition of Vista, you’ll find a guide to our towns and the many events that fill our days. Ice cream socials. Rodeos. An awesome county fair. Cultural festivals, and music. Dance and theater. Sporting events and recreational pastimes.

Over the years, we’ve all found our favorites - those dates on the calendar we look forward to each season. Who doesn’t eagerly await

the fresh-baked apple pies on Apple Days in Hamilton? Or the Creamery Picnic and its sweet dairy treats in Stevensville? Or the looks on the faces of the 4-H kids during judging at the Ravalli County Fair?

And best of all, there are new events added each year, and new twists on old favorites. So off we go to enjoy another year out and about in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley of western Montana. Enjoy!

Sherry Devlin Editor, Ravalli Republic

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Florence

The town of Florence, named for the wife of lumber titan A.B. Hammond, sits at the northern edge of Ravalli County on Highway 93. The prominently Irish-settled area had previously been referred to as One Horse.

Hammond was instrumental in the development of the timber industry in the Bitterroot, and also brought the railroad into the area. The town of Florence was established in 1888, and later merged a northern neighbor called Carlton, still seen in the name of the Florence-Carlton School District.

During its heyday as a farming area, as many as 100 carloads of wheat a day were shipped out of Florence.

Surrounded with stunning scenery, the Florence area has ample opportunity for outdoor recreation, including hunting, hiking, biking and wildlife observation.

Perry Backus / Ravalli Republic

Visit Yesterday...Today.

Visit the summer home of Copper Baron and Millionaire Marcus Daly, his wife Margaret and their four children.

Tours May through October 10am to 3pm on the hour.

$9 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for children, 6 & under free

251 East Side Highway, Hamilton

363-6004 • www.dalymansion.org

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Bass Creek Recreation Area

The 1,600 acre Bass Creek Recreation Area south of Florence provides myriad options for getting outdoors. Its popularity is evidenced by the more than 50,000 people who visit the area annually.

Bass Creek contains six trailheads, ranging from quarter mile loops to longer routes exceeding 7.5 miles. The trails are also a popular destination for horseback riders. It is the perfect stop and use the picnic tables for a meal, while enjoying the stunning nature of the Bitterroot. The Charles Waters Campground is open from April through September for those wishing to stay overnight.

Bass Creek Recreation Area can be reached by taking Bass Creek Road four miles south of Florence on Highway 93. Call 406-777-5461 or drop by a ranger station for more information.

Chief Looking Glass fishing access

Visitors to the Bitterroot area are always looking for a way to enjoy the Bitterroot River. The Chief Looking Glass fishing access northeast of town is just one of the easy and convenient ways to get to the water.

Whether putting in to float, swim, fish, or just looking for a place to take a break, Chief Looking Glass is a convenient way to do it.

Just turn off on Chief Looking Glass road north of Florence on Highway 93 at mile marker 77.

Another fishing access is located just east of Florence on the Eastside Highway, just before crossing the bridge.

Theresa’s Dolls and Gifts

Theresa’s Dolls and Gifts, located on the Eastside Highway in Florence, has a collection of more than a thousand dolls on display in

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Perry Backus / Ravalli Republic

glass cases. The dolls are made of everything from wood to porcelain and vinyl.

The dolls themselves come from all around the world, including Germany, Japan and New Zealand. Some of them are more than 200 years old. Some are fashioned to look like U.S. Presidents, celebrities, British royalty or literary characters.

Theresa’s Dolls and Gifts, often called simply “the Dollhouse” is located 5908 Eastside Highway outside of Florence. Look for the light yellow house. For more information, call 406273-6332.

Parsons’ Pony Farm

Parsons’ Pony Farm, located near Florence, is the perfect way to introduce children to riding horses, or in this case, ponies. Young riders will learn about grooming, hoof care and saddling before being taken on a ride led by an experienced guide.

Bring a camera during the ride up into the Pony Wood Forest on the property, situated up against the Bitterroot Mountains. Parsons’ offers one and a half hour rides for kids, with parents welcome to walk alongside or wait at shaded picnic tables.

Ponies are available year round but rides require a reservation in advance. Contact

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Parsons’ Pony Farm for directions and reservations at parsonsponies.com or by calling 406273-3363.

Hideout Mountain Park

Hideout Mountain Park, located on Florence Carlton Loop, is a kids playground in the town of Florence. Children can climb up into turrets, run across bridges connecting different areas of the park, or use slides to let loose some pent-up energy.

A water park feature is also open during the spring and summer months. Hideout Mountain is a great place to stop for a rest, picnic, or just to let kids run around. Scenic backdrops and plenty of shade mean parents will enjoy the stop as well

best dining around. Serving authentic old world Italian cuisine, and with stunning views of the Bitterroot Mountains, cap off a day with wine and osso bucco or a locally brewed beer and pizza.

Opening at 9:00 a.m. means customers can also enjoy breakfast, brunch or lunch as well.

Take out and drive through are also an option.

Caffe Firenze

Caffe Firenze, just off Highway 93 on the Eastside Highway in Florence, is some of the Perry Backus / Ravalli Republic

“CULTURAL HUB OF THE BITTER ROOT VALLEY” Bitter Root Valley Historical Society 205 Bedford Hamilton, MT Phone: 406.363.3338 www.brvhsmuseum.org

34 th

3 rd

Home of: McIntosh Apple Day Bitter Root Day Art & Treasures Appraisal Event An Afternoon of Cowboy Music & Poetry Peterson “Photograph Montana” Contest Ghost Tours

WITH 9 EXHIBIT ROOMS FEATURING PERMANENT COLLECTIONS & TRAVELING EXHIBITS April May May June June June June July September October October

19th...Event: A Spring Evening of Eclectic Music 11th...Event: Art & Treasures Appraisal Event 17th...Event: A Night of Baroque Music 6th.....Exhibit: The Literature of Prescription (Toured by NIH) 15th...Event: 33rd Annual Bitter Root Day 22nd..Exhibit: Thomas Cole: Wild Land & the Birth of the American Landscape (Toured by NEH) 29th...Event: An Afternoon of Cowboy Music & Poetry 25th...Exhibit: Life & Limb, The Toll of the American Civil War (Toured by NIH) 26th...Exhibit: Against the Odds (Toured by NIH) 5th.....Event: 34th Annual McIntosh Apple Day 12th - 31st..Event: Ghost Tours

Check our website for current information on programming and ticket sales!

205 Bedford Street, Hamilton 406.363.3338 brvhsmuseum.org : Ravalli County Museum : ravallimuseum

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Perry Backus / Ravalli Republic

See caffefirenze.com for details, including a menu, or call them at 406-273-2923.

Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge

The Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, located between Florence and Stevensville along the Eastside Highway, is a birdwatchers

dream location.

Established in 1963 as a habitat for migratory birds, Lee Metcalf has come to be a home for many varieties of animals and more than 235 species of birds in the Bitterroot Valley.

The refuge provides everything from wildlife observation and photography to limited hunting and fishing. The extensive list of animals and birds on the refuge include osprey, bald eagles,

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great horned owls and tundra swans, as well as elk, wolves and beaver.

Drive through the park on the road or walk the 2.5 miles of nature trails in the refuge. See fws.gov/leemetcalf or call 406-777-5552 for details.

Whitetail Golf Course

The Whitetail Golf Course, situated up against the Lee Metcalf Wilderness between Florence and Stevensville, is a nine-hole course with more than 2,800 yards of golf.

In addition to the course itself is the setting, with panoramic views of the Bitterroot and Sapphire mountain ranges. It also has cart and club rentals. Other courses in the area include the 18-hole Hamilton Golf Course, and the Montana Pro Golf in Florence.

Call 406-777-3636 or visit whitetailgolfcourse. net.

Kootenai Creek Trail

The Kootenai Creek Trail dips back and forth along its namesake, and is one of the more popular in the region. The creek has several small pools of water along the way, making Kootenai Creek Trail a perfect fit to walk and stop to put your feet in the water before heading back.

The trail ends at Kootenai Lakes, nine miles in, but the journey there is spectacular, so walk as much as you like. The last six miles get steeper.

To get to the trailhead, take Kootenai Creek Road west from the highway south of Florence, just before the cutoff to Stevensville. Go up the road two miles to reach the start of the Kootenai Creek Trail.Head in to a ranger station for maps and other hikes in the Bitterroot.

Threemile Wildlife Management Area

The Threemile Wildlife Management Area sits

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2013-2014 EvEnt SchEdulE 4-H Carnival ................................................. April 6 Ravalli Republic Indoor Garage Sale ................ April 13 Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Banquet ........ April 20 My Kid’s Closet Sale .............................. April 27, 28 Find Your Future Fair ..................................... May 2 Farm Fair .................................................... May 3 BGMS Gem & Mineral Show .................... May 18-20 Five Valley Kennel Club Show ....................... May 18 Montana Mule Days & Big Sky Fiber Arts Festival .. June 14-16 Concert w/ Dave Stamey ............................June 27 Senior Pro Rodeo ................................... June 28, 29 Fireworks on the Fourth ..................................July 4 Bitterroot Motor Sports Jamboree .................. July 5,6 Looking Back, Riding Forward Celebrates the Horse.. July 19-21 Junior Rodeo ........................July 26, 27, August 1, 2 Ravalli County Fair ................................ August 28-31 Sports Connection Gun Show ...........September 20-22 My Kid’s Closet .......................................October 5, 6 Fall Freeze Marketplace ............................October 26 Harvest Festival ....................................... October 31 MT Artist Showcase & Sale ................ November 1, 2 Bitterroot Bounty Show ....................... November 16 Bitterroot Art Guild Holiday show ...... November 22, 23 Sports Connection Gun Show .................December 6-8

east of Florence, and is more than 6,000 acres of natural habitat for everything from elk and deer to grouse and black bears. It is now a popular spot for hunting and wildlife observation in the Bitterroot.

The Threemile is open from May 15 until the start of December. It is an excellent place for hiking, biking or horseback riding, and of course, nature and bird watching. It is also a great place to camp, or to set up a quick picnic.

Just remember, if you pack it in, pack it out.

Hunting is allowed in the Threemile area, which also has limited access for two-wheel drive vehicles when the weather is dry.

To reach the Threemile Wildlife Management Area, take the Eastside Highway from Florence for 6 miles, before turning onto Threemile Creek Road. Call 406-240-0558 or visit fwp.mt.gov for more information.

2014 EvEnts

Ravalli Republic Wedding & Event Fair ....... January 11 Bitterroot Building Association Home & Ranch Show .. Feb 1,2 3rd Annual Bitterroot Cowboy Ball ............. February 8 Sports Connection Inc. Gun Show ........ February 14-16 Fish & Wildlife Association Banquet ......... February 23 Friends of NRA Banquet ..............................March 1 Spring Thaw Market ...................................March 15 KLYQ Everything Spring Fair ........................ March 22

100 Old Corvallis Road, Hamilton 363-3411 • rc.mt.gov/fair/

Perry Backus / Ravalli Republic

Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013 - Page 13

Stevensville

Stevensville is the genesis of Montana. With the St. Mary’s Mission, founded by an Italian priest in 1841, Stevensville is recognized as the first permanent settlement in the state. The mission was later improved by Antonio Ravalli, who the county is named after.

In the 1850s, Fort Owen, a trading post, was established in the town, and in 1863, the town’s first store was built. Stevensville is named after Isaac Stevens, who had been the governor of the Washington Territory at the time.

The town of Stevensville is flanked by the Bitterroot and Sapphire mountains, and holds frequent festivals and activities, especially through the summer.

The town has no shortage of small town charm.

Perry Backus / Ravalli Republic

Phone: (406) 961-3001 Fax: (406) 961-3230

Web: www.ravallielectric.com Email: service@ravallielectric.com

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Perry Backus / Ravalli Republic

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Farmers market

Every Saturday from May through October, there are farmer’s markets in the park in downtown Stevensville. Local food and art producers set up tables and booths to sell their wares, and wandering the farmers market is a great way to see the people of Stevensville and take home a memento of what makes the town unique.

Farmer’s markets start in the morning and continue through the early afternoon. Food vendors also set up there, so it is a great way to grab a quick lunch as well.

St Mary’s Mission/Founders Day

St Mary’s Mission is likely the most historic location in all of the Bitterroot, the capstone of Stevensville’s claim as “Where Montana Began.”

In 1841, forty eight years before Montana

became a state, Pierre Jean DeSmet, a Jesuit missionary, established the mission for the Native American Salish and Nez Perce tribes. It was the first church in the Pacific Northwest and the first pioneer settlement in the state. Several years later, after being attacked by Blackfeet, the mission was abandoned.

In 1866, Fr. Anthony Ravalli, an Italian who had served at the old mission, built a new church near the original, which still stands today. It is a testament to the pioneer spirit of early Western travelers.

Every year, Founders Day is celebrated at the mission. This year, it falls on Sept. 22. Founders Day includes a reenactment of the Salish welcoming the blackrobe missionaries in 1841, and Chief Victor greeting Ravalli in 1845.

Guided tour of the mission are available from April 15 until Oct. 15, Tuesday through Friday.

St Mary’s Mission is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places, and is located at

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Perry Backus / Ravalli Republic

the west end of 4th Street in Stevensville. More information can be found online at saintmarysmission.org or by calling 406-777-5734.

Creamery Picnic

In its 101st year, the Creamery Picnic is the staple event of Stevensville. From August 2-3, enjoy a parade, barbecue contest, music, food and beer. The family event also has ice cream, locally crafted goods for sale, and even a car show.

The main event of the Creamery Picnic is a mobile dairy that shows off how milk products are made. Visitors haven’t really experienced Stevensville until they have been to the Creamery Picnic, which draws more than 7,000 people.

The event started in 1907 when local dairymen came together to form a coop creamery.

The creamery was destroyed by a fire in 1911,

and the coop’s manager said if the town could rebuild it in 30 days, he would hold the biggest event Stevensville had ever seen. Slough the reconstruction went slightly long, the manager decided to put together the party all the same.

The Creamery Picnic is held at the park in Stevensville. More details can be found online at creamerypicnic.com

Renaissance Faire

Each year, the Renaissance Faire in Stevensville, provides family friendly entertainment including jousting and armed combat out on by the members of the Warlord and Order of Epona. A fairy queen will be telling stories, and a group of gypsies will have a series of games for kids.

With a turkey leg in one hand and a flaggon of mead in the other, visitors will feel like they landed in the middle of King Arthur’s court,

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including vendors in traditional outfits. Visitors are encouraged to don their own medieval garb, if they so choose.

This year, the festival will be held June 28-30, off Highway 93 just north of Stevensville. Look for the colored flags to know you have found the right place. Tickets are $6 for adults or $15 for a full weekend pass. Family passes are also available. See mainstreetstevensville.com for details.

Blacksmith Brewing Company

Come join us for the party!

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4359 West Fork Road, Darby, MT 59829 406-821-4631 • montanaflyingrcabins.com

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Perry Backus / Ravalli Republic

This brewery, on Main Street in Stevensville, was, as the name implies, previously a Blacksmith’s shop. Every time he had made a brand, he had burned the symbol into one of the walls. All of those brands still decorate Blacksmith Brewing Company, which opened in 2008.

Come by for a pint or a taster glass of each of Blacksmith’s brews. Two beers that shouldn’t be missed are the Brickhouse Blonde, a wheat beer with hints of banana, clove and honey, and the Pulaski Porter, a strong dark beer that tops the location’s list for alcohol content. If you want to take some home, buy and fill up a growler with your favorite brew.

Blacksmith’s tap room is open Sunday through Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from noon until 8:00 p.m.

Blacksmith brewery also has a rotating selection of seasonal beers and live music. Details can be found online at blacksmithbrewing.com.

207 Main Street, Stevensville • 777-3292

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Scarecrow Festival

The annual Scarecrow Festival is the town of Stevensville’s premier art event. Locals decorate scarecrows, which are then put on display and judged to receive prizes. The public can also cast votes for a series of people’s choice awards.

The Scarecrow Festival coincides with the First Friday celebration in October, this year on Oct. 4, and scarecrows are kept on display around town for the following week. The event is sponsored by the Stevensville Art and Sculpture Society. There is also a pumpkin carving contest and horse-drawn wagon rides on the Friday kickoff.

Call 406-777-3773, or look at mainstreetstevensville.com or sassart.org for more information.

Western Heritage Days

Western Heritage Days celebrates Stevensville’s and the surrounding area’s west-

wildroseemu.com

david erickson / Ravalli Republic

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august 2 & 3, 2013

Lewis & cLark park, stevensviLLe Includes parades, kids games, live entertainment, brew fest, Milk Run, craft and food vendors, and the 12th Annual MT State BBQ Championship. FREE shuttle.

ern roots. Running two days, from June 21-22, the festival includes a parade or cowboys, cowgirls and Native American representatives, and floats honoring the traditions and history of the town. Members of the Salish tribe provide a demonstration of of drumming, singing and dancing.

Heritage Days also has a series of “barnyard competitions” sidewalk sales and a chuck wagon cook off. A trolley wagon pulled by Belgian horses runs through the town sharing the history of Stevensville’s position as the place where Montana began.

The event is held throughout downtown Stevensville and the St. Mary’s Mission. Visit mainstreetstevensville.com or call 406-777-3773 for details.

CReAMeRYPICNIC.CoM

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• ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ • Please join us in celebrating 172 years as a community

Founders day

Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 2pm Historic St. Mary’s Mission, Stevensville W End of 4th St, Stevensville • 406-777-5734 • saintmarysmission.org This is truly a community event applicable to residents of Stevensville, the Bitterroot Valley, and all of Montana. Learn of the many “firsts” for Montana which took place here. We guarantee that you will be entertained and amazed at the contributions of the Salish Indians and the early pioneers. The Celebration is free of charge.

schedule of events

2 p.m. Ringing of st. Mary’s chapel Bell Invocation; Presentation of Colors by Stevensville FFA Chapter; Raising the Flathead Nation Flag by Salish Tribal Youth; Re-enactment of the Salish Indians welcoming the; Blackrobe Missionaries in 1841; Announcement of Poster Contest winners 3 to 4:30 p.m fund-raising BBQ by the Knights of columbus 1 to 4 p.m.

Guided tours at reduced rates 1 to 5 p.m.

Museum and Gift shop open Sponsored by Stevensville Civic Club & Historic St. Mary’s Mission, Inc.

Perry Backus / Ravalli Republic

Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013 - Page 21

First Friday

The first Friday of every month, downtown Stevensville plays host to an arts and culture show that spans the whole town. Local businesses each host an artist on Friday evening, and let them have a live showing and the ability to sell their work.

First Fridays also have live music and food venders as most businesses stay open late at night, making it the perfect setting to walk to blocks and see just what all Stevensville has to offer.

Visit mainstreetstevensville.com or call 406777-3773 for details.

In 1850, Major John Owen moved to the area, and established the fort as a trading post with the Native Americans and immigrants. It is also the location of the state’s first sawmill, grist mill, and first settler school.

The site now contains period furnishings and artifacts that have been put on display in the restored east barracks. Interpretive signs and exhibits detail the park’s historical significance.

Fort Owen is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places.

Fort Owen State Park is located just north of Stevensville. Call 406-542-5500 or visit stateparks.mt.gov/fort-owen for more information.

Fort Owen State Park

Fort Owen State Park, celebrates the history of the 250-foot by 125-foot log cabin that was built in the mid-1800s, and now sits on a one acre park at the site of the original St Mary’s Mission.

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Victor

The town of Victor once had to change it’s name from Garfield, after President James Garfield, to the name of a chief of a Salish Native American tribe. The new name came when the town attempted to establish a post office, only to find the name Garfield was already taken.

The town was founded in part by A.S. Blake and his Native American wife, who came to the area in the 1860s.

Blake was later elected the first state legislator of Missoula County, a part of which would later become Ravalli County.

In any direction from Victor, there is something to do, from a horseback and hiking trails, to river access and more.

Visit the Victor Heritage Museum, stop by a farmers market, or stay at one of the many lodges and bed and breakfasts near the town.

Perry Backus / Ravalli Republic

Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013 - Page 23

Victor Heritage Museum

The Victor Heritage Museum is located in a building at the corner of Blake and Main that had once been the Victor train depot. Originally built in 1928, it was moved to its current location in 1990. It now houses the history of the region told through artifacts of Native Americans, the railroad, churches and agriculture.

The museum gives a tangible look at what the lives of the people who had lived in the area were like, from school to the mines, ranching to the expansion of the telegraph lines. A gift shop sells books that were written about the history of the area and in some cases penned by its inhabitants. This includes the Bitter Root Trails series, chronicling the history of area pioneer families.

The heritage museum is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day and is open from 1:00-

4:00 Tuesdays through Saturdays. More information can be found online at victorheritagemuseum.org or by calling 406-642-3997.

Victor heritage Museum annual Chocolate tasting party

The first Monday in December, the Victor Heritage Museum holds an annual fundraising event in the form of a silent auction and chocolate tasting. For a $5 fee, a participant can sample locally made sweets, and have the chance to bid on items donated by local businesses, from goods and gift cards to overnights packages at area hotels and lodges.

To thank the community, the museum also holds an ice cream social the last Sunday in August, which is free to attend.

Perry Backus / Ravalli Republic

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Highway 93 bike path

A paved bicycle path connects Hamilton to Lolo in a 45 mile stretch that runs along Highway 93. The bike path is relatively new and is kept in great shape.

The path is a smooth ride for anyone who prefers road bikes over mountain bikes. The Eastside Highway that connects Florence and Hamilton is another fantastic option for seeing the Bitterroot on a bike. Ride through the valley, experiencing the rugged peaks of the Bitterroot Mountains, the serene waters of the Bitterroot River, or the rolling fields and hills to the east.

Make a full day of it and head from one end to the other, stopping in towns like Florence and Victor along the way. During the summer in particular, dozens of bikers take to the path each day to enjoy being outdoors in the Bitterroot.

Local bike stores, including Red Barn Bicycles in Hamilton, are a great place to get more information or to inquire about renting bikes. Red

Barn Bicycles can be contacted at 406-369-0487 or redbarnbicycles.com

lifeline Farm

Lifeline Farm in Victor is a dairy operation comprising more than 400 Brown Swiss cows and more than 20 sheep, and a farming outfit producing vegetables, herbs and flowers. The dairy puts out cheese and milk products, as well as selling beef throughout the state, and at the farm itself.

The farm has been in the Victor are for 35 years, growing from a small vegetable farm to the full-scale dairy and produce operation it is today. Lifeline also raises pigs, and sells pork cuts and sausage.All of Lifeline’s products are certified organic. Tours of the operation can be arranged by calling ahead.

Lifeline Farm is located at 2533 Pleasant View Dr. in Victor. Call 406-642-9717 or visit lifelinefarm.com.

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Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013 - Page 25

Perry Backus / Ravalli Republic

Hidden Legend Winery

The Hidden Legend Winery in Victor is an award-winning purveyor of locally-sourced wines and meads made with ingredients from the Bitterroot Valley.

The winery has more than a dozen styles of mead made with local honey or berries, and several varieties of wine. While it’s products can also be found in a variety of local stores, the tasting room also provides tours to customers on the process behind the drinks. The Hidden Legend Winery tasting room is open for free

tastings and tours Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

The Hidden Legend Winery is located at 1345 on Highway 93, at the junction with Sheafman Creek Road, in the Sheafman Corner Plaza.

More details can be found at hiddenlegendwinery.com or by calling 406-363-6323.

Redsun labyrinth

The Redsun Labyrinth, located four miles west of Victor, is modeled after the design of an 800-year-old pattern from the Chartres

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Page 26 - Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013

Perry Backus / Ravalli Republic

Cathedral in France. At the Redsun, more than 25 tons of field stones were used to recreated the pattern, an excellent way to have a quiet, meditative stroll as you look out on the beautiful landscape of the Bitterroot.

The Redsun Labyrinth is one of the largest in the United States, at more than 100 feet in diameter. It can be found by turning west on 5th Street in Victor, then taking a left onto Pleasant View Drive and following the signs.

Walking the full labyrinth path takes about a half hour, so be sure to set aside a bit of time if visiting. Call 406-642-6675 or see redsunlabyrinth.com for details.

The Rocking L Ranch

Tour an alpaca farm at the Rocking L Ranch, located just off the highway between Victor and Hamilton. The Rocking L is a great place to bring kids to learn about these creatures, as the Rocking L has more than 30 alpacas on its land.

Alpaca, a South American animal that looks similar to a small llama, are friendly creatures whose fleece is used in the textile in particular as a popular fabric similar to wool.

There is also a store selling products made the alpaca’s fleece. To reach the Rocking L Ranch, turn west off Highway 93 at mile marker 56 and go down the road about 2 miles. Call 406-642-3085 for more details.

Bear Creek Overlook Trail

The Bear Creek Overlook Trail southwest of Victor provides scenery that is unforgettable, especially in the summer. The views of the Bear Creek drainage and the Bitterroot Mountains should not be missed.

The 2.8 mile round-trip has a slight elevation gain but has only a moderate degree of difficulty and is a good choice for a more simple day hike.

To get to the trailhead, take Bear Creek Road

Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013 - Page 27

west from Highway 93 a few miles south of Victor. Turn north at Red Crow Road and continue until heading west on Pleasant View Drive.

Almost four miles down Pleasant View, look for the marked junction with forest road 1325, which ends at the trailhead.

Stop into a ranger station for maps and other hikes. The Bear Creek Trail in the same area is another good pick for a day hike, or for the more adventurous, the four mile hike to the summit and fire lookout at St. Mary’s peak.

Sweathouse Creek climbing

The Bitterroot is quite a destination for rock climbers in the area. Sweathouse Creek west of Victor is no exception, and contains dozens of large rocks perfect for short boulder routes.

To get to Sweathouse Creek, go west on 5th Street in Victor. When the street hits a junction, take a right, then turn on to Sweathouse Creek

L

alpacas

The Rocking Over 30 beautiful, friendly alpacas

Creek road and follow it to a designated parking area.

Lost Horse Canyon south of Hamilton, as well as Blodgett, Kootenai and Mill Creek canyons are also very popular for their climbing. Whether testing your own limits or just watching others chalk up and hold on, these climber favorites are worth the trip.

Painted Mountain Gallery

The Painted Mountain Gallery displays the artwork of Pat Baker, with paintings of western landscape and wildlife. It also has works from other local artists, including handmade furniture, stone, metal and woodwork.

Native American handmade jewelry and bronze work is also featured at the gallery, although selection and stock change frequently.

Painted Mountain Gallery is located at 1771 Highway 93 south of Victor. Call 406-642-6966.

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Page 28 - Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013

Corvallis

Corvallis was first settled by Elijah and Margaret Chaffin, who named the area Chaffinville. Explorer John Mullan had previously used an area near Corvallis as a location for a winter base. The town was later renamed Corvallis after a town in Oregon in 1866.

Corvallis has a long history in agriculture, with some of the most fertile land in the region, and is home to the Western Montana Agricultural Research Experiment Station. Numerous old farm houses dot the roadside of the Eastside Highway.

The town of Corvallis is home to the Teller Wildlife Refuge, which sits along four miles of the Bitterroot River. Head out of town for a chance at seeing wildlife, or grab a quick meal at the Memories Cafe. david erickson / Ravalli Republic

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Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013 - Page 29

Perry Backus / Ravalli Republic

Drive the Eastside Highway

If you are approaching Corvallis from the north, you have already seen the stunning landscape. If you are coming up from the south, you’re in for a treat. The Eastside Highway offers some of the best views in the Bitterroot and is worth turning off the highway for if you are in the area to sightsee.

The Eastside Highway was the main road

between Hamilton and Florence before Highway 93 was constructed.

Turn off in Florence or in Hamilton to experience the majesty. A number of historic locations and buildings, listed in the National Registry of Historic Places, dot the landscape, including St. Mary’s Mission, the Brooks Hotel, Fort Owen and Tammany Castle, which was once the stables of Marcus Daly.

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Page 30 - Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013

MICHAEL GALLACHER/Missoulian

Swanson’s Mountain View Apple Orchards

The Swanson’s Mountain View Apple Orchards, just north of town, connect visitors not just with the tradition and history of the Bitterroot valley and its apples, but the farm also makes some very tasty cider that is for sale as well.

During the apple season, usually running from August until December, the orchard is open from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. seven days a week, and is open to the public to see all of the process behind making the cider. Visitors can view everything from picking and grating the apples to the actual pressing and bottling of the apple cider.

Even when the apple season is over, the distillery, making various apple-based spirits, is still running, and people can stop by to peruse

the selection or see how the distillation process works. The orchard asks that anyone planning on stopping by out of season calls ahead, to make sure someone will be there to greet them when they arrive, at 406-369-3184 or 406396-1909. More information can be found at Swanson’s Mountain View Orchard’s Facebook page.

Memorial Day parade

This annual Corvallis staple, which winds its way through the town, draws in visitors from around the Bitterroot and beyond. It includes demonstrations and participation from the local post of the American Legion, a sponsor of the parade, local school children, as well as floats and music, such as a bagpipe band that comes into town from Missoula.

It also includes a pancake breakfast, as well

as other food venders, and a small carnival. The parade begins at 10:00 a.m., and events continue into the afternoon.

With Memorial Day on May 27 this year, the Corvallis Memorial Day parade is where all the local from miles around are going to be.

Teller Wildlife Refuge

The Teller Wildlife Refuge, which runs along 4 miles of the Bitterroot River, is a 1,200 acre wildlife conservation area of one of Montana’s best riparian habitats. More than 50 acres of the area are open to the public.

The opened areas include the mile long Teller Trail, which is perfect for hiking, bird watching and fishing. The wildlife refuge is located just north of Corvallis on the Eastside Highway.

There are a limited number of cabins and restored farmhouses for rent at the Teller, including renovated versions of two of the oldest and most historic farmhouses in the area. The Teller Wildlife Refuge also has limited deer, pheasant and bird hunting available. Call 406-961-3507 or visit theteller.org.

Huls Dairy

Huls Dairy, located at 1769 Simpson Road north of Corvallis, has been in the Bitterroot since 1908, and is the largest milking operation in the area. The dairy offers tours of its milking carousel, which can automatically identify cows, measure milk quantities, and sort cows leaving the facility. The carousel has large viewing areas so the public can safely observe the process.

Even though it has been around for so long, the dairy is constantly pushing boundaries, recently putting into service an anaerobic digester that produces energy from captured methane gas, reducing greenhouse gases and creating energy for the dairy. The digester also produces a nutrient-rich fertilizer called Afterburner Boost, which the dairy bags and sells.

Call 406-961-8887 or visit hulsdairy.com for more information or to set up a tour.

T

Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013 - Page 31

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Page 34 - Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013

The Brooks

It’s always Christmas at The Brooks, a yearround holiday and home decor shop located in the middle of Corvallis. Specifically, it sits on the corner of Willow Creek road and the Eastside Highway inside of a charming Victorian-style house built in 1894.

The Brooks will open for the season in April, and invites customers to come on in and get a little of that Christmas spirit, Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

After ornament shipments have arrived, the shop holds an annual Christmas in July event, starting the holiday season as early as they can. If you are in the area, drop in and take home a little bit of Montana with gifts made by local artists. Call 406.961.6895 for more details. file photo



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The Brooks Christmas House, Corvallis

Victor Heritage Museum

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Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013 - Page 35

LINDA THOMPSON/Missoulian

Richard and Shelly Peters walk out from their barn, surrounded by some of their 72 Alpacas. “They are such sweet, kind and loving animals with personalities you can’t believe--and they give me fiber to make beautiful thing with,” says Peters.

Tranquility Bed and Breakfast

Part of the attraction of the Bitterroot is the idea of getting away from it all, and few places offer serene, quiet places to lay your head at the end of the day than Corvallis’ Tranquility Bed and Breakfast. Even though it is only a few minute drive from the highway, the Tranquility feels secluded and out of the way. A great place to relax after a long day of traveling and sightseeing.

Televisions and satellite tv, wifi, and full breakfast are included with lodging at the Tranquility, and massages are also available. A great room also offers a fantastic view of the Bitterroot Mountains. Nature trails for walking are located nearby, and the Tranquility also rents bicycles for its guests to use.

The Tranquility Bed and Breakfast is located just east of Corvallis. More information, including photos or making reservations, can be found online at tranquilitybnb.com or by calling 406.381.8307.

Montana Suri Alpacas Ranch

Visit an animal most people never get to see at the Montana Suri Alpacas ranch outside Corvallis.

The ranch has a herd of more than 70 alpaca, and invites locals to come out and see the whole operation. Alpacas, a cousin to the llama, are prized for their fleece, which is valued by the textile industry.

Stop in to the Alpaca Hill Drygoods ranch store for a chance to buy a range of alpaca goods, including socks, hats, bags and shawls. It

Page 36 - Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013

the view • the venue • the loft

The Loft Cafe

really is a field to fashion experience.

The ranch is located south of Corvallis on Bass Lane. Visit the ranch’s website, montanasurialpacas.com, or call 406-381-0409.

Fish around Corvallis

There is ample fishing opportunity Bitterroot River. Near Corvallis, one of the favorite places to put in or fish is at the Woodside Bridge, on Woodside Crossing just west of town.

Another is north of town, at Tucker Crossing.

Fishing shops, like Western Flies and Guides, Montana Hunting and Fishing Adventures, or Osprey Outfitters Fly Shop in Hamilton can give maps of the area with special recommendations on where the best spots are at.

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Willow Creek #300 hiking trail

A great hike in the Corvallis area is the Willow Creek #300 trail east of Corvallis.

The 3.5 mile trail starts as an old jeep road, and follows along the side of the creek. It goes past cliffs and rock spires, making it great for photography buffs, and is also right in the middle of Rocky Mountain Goat habitat.

The trail is located at the Willow Creek trailhead. To reach it, take Willow Creek Road east from Corvallis, and travel for 11 miles to the first switchback and the trailhead. Stop by a ranger station for maps or suggestions for more day hikes in the area.

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PERRY BACKUS / Ravalli Republic

Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013 - Page 37

Hamilton

Hamilton is the largest town in the Bitterroot Valley and the hub of its activities.

In the late 1800s, Marcus Daly, one of Montana’s Copper Kings who had made a fortune in mining in Butte and Anaconda. He purchased sawmills west of what would be the town, and had two town planners, including James Hamilton, for whom the town is named, in to start the town. The other planner, Robert O’Hara, was Hamilton’s first mayor.

The house built by Daly and later renovated by his wife, the Daly Mansion, sits in town, and is the grounds for several events during the year, as well as being open for tours.

Hamilton holds events all year round, but their frequency and size ramp up during the summer. The Ravalli County Fair brings in more than 20,000 people each year. But at all times of the year, Hamilton has a lively downtown, a strong arts community, and is the perfect jumping off point for a trip in the Bitterroot.

PERRY BACKUS / Ravalli Republic

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Page 38 - Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013

david erickson / Ravalli Republic

Bitterroot Scottish Irish Festival

The Bitterroot Scottish Irish Festival promotes awareness and pride in the Scottish and Irish heritage of the locals, and is held the last weekend in August every year. Two of the town’s most famous people came from these backgrounds. John Hamilton, was a Scot, and Marcus Daly, an Irishman.

There will be traditional Scottish and Celtic music, including bagpipes, and highland danc-

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ing. As well, a series of Highland games competitions, including the shot put, hammer toss and caper toss take place during the festival. Almost 7,000 people attend the festival last year.

Vendors will sell not only traditional Scottish and Irish food, but hand-crafted artwork and recordings of music as well.

This year’s Bitterroot Scottish Irish Festival will be held August 24-25 at the Marcus Daly Mansion. For more details, see the website bitterrootscottishirishfestival.org or call 406-2748886.

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Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013 - Page 39

Bitterroot Chamber Micro Brewfest

Every year, the Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce holds a fundraising event in the form of the Bitterroot Chamber Micro Brewfest at the end of July. The festival offers the chance to sample more than 40 types of beer from Montana and the Northwest, as well as several varieties of regional wine and mead, as well a local food vendors.

Live music is provided by bands from around the Northwest. This year’s headliner is Keegan Smith & the Fam from Portland, which won the Portland Music Festival’s award for best live band. Also playing will be the Missoula Tube Quartet, John Floridis, and funk dance band Shakewell.

PERRY BACKUS / Ravalli Republic

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Twenty dollars buys a commemorative glass and five different beer tastings. The event coincides with the annual Daly Days celebration.

The Brewfest is held in downtown Hamilton across from Legion Park on Saturday, July 27.

This will be the festival’s 19th year. More information can be found online at bitterrootchamber.com or call 406-363-2400.

Daly Days

photo provided

Hamilton’s annual heritage celebration is Daly Days, held at the end of July. The event, sponsored by the Hamilton Downtown Association, really does take over nearly all of the town for the weekend.

Reenactments at the Daly Mansion will show participants the everyday life of 100 years ago

Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013 - Page 41

on Saturday, following a street dance Friday night. On Saturday there will be an all-ages pinewood derby. Carriage and pony rides are available through the streets, and demonstrations of antique farm equipment look back at where Hamilton began, and what is has grown to become.

Daly Days also coincides with the annual Bitterroot Brewfest, and the connection of the two events makes it a party not to be missed. A vintage car show and sidewalk sales happen on Saturday in downtown Hamilton, with food vendors present all weekend.

This year, Daly Days falls on July 26-27.

Admission is $5, but children get in free. Visit hamiltondowntownassociation.org or call 406375-1900.

Expedition to the National Senior Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. It also houses a large collection of the photography of Montanan Ernst Peterson, with more than 36,000 prints and negatives.

Rotating and traveling exhibits mean that there is always something new to see. Through May a special exhibit on the ties between Harry Potter and the Renaissance era will be open, before making way for another on medicinal practices during the Civil War. The building the museum was in was designed by the Montana architect A.J. Gibson in 1900, and was the county courthouse until 1979. The brick building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Ravalli County Museum’s website, with more information, is brvhsmuseum.org and its phone number is 406-363-3338.

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Page 42 - Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013

DAVID ERICKSON / Ravalli Republic

Ravalli County Fair

Held the week before Labor Day weekend, the Ravalli County Fair is the signature end of the summer celebration for the Bitterroot. It is also the largest annual event in the area, drawing in more than 20,000 people every year.

This year, the Ravalli County Fair will be held from August 28-31. This real deal, old fashioned fair is a showcase event for the strong agricultural 4H programs in the valley, with barns and buildings filled with livestock projects.

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Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013 - Page 43

which also has carnival rides and food fenders, with sales going to benefit nonprofit organizations in the community, and live music performances in the evenings.

In addition, the fair also has a large display of quilts, photography, arts and crafts, as well as a building filled with horticultural and floral displays.

On Friday and Saturday night it’s usually standing room only during the full gamut of rodeo events, which include a youth invitational, bull riding, team roping, and cowboy bronc rides. The rodeo is included in the gate fee for the fair.

To make sure the event is as family-friendly as possible, the fair is a dry event. See rc.mt.gov/ fair for more details, or call 406-363-3411.

Senior Pro Rodeo

Part of a larger nationwide circuit, the Senior Pro Rodeo in Hamilton is the place for some

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serious cowboy action. Running from June 28-29, with a kickoff concert the night before, the rodeo features competitors from not just the Bitterroot but around the country in a slew of rodeo events, from bareback and bull riding to barrel racing, over the course of two nights at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds.

Some of the participants of the Senior Pro Rodeo have been performing for more than 50 years. While a few jokingly refer to the event as the “old timer’s rodeo,” don’t be fooled, these cowboys and cowgirls are highly skilled and at the top of their game.

The family-friendly event also lets kids get involved, where they can try their hand at being a cowboy by attempting to ride sheep or small calves out of the bucking chutes at the rodeo grounds. For more information on the Senior Pro Rodeo, see rc.mt.gov/fair.

Page 44 - Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013

PERRY BACKUS / Ravalli Republic

Cowboy Ball

The Cowboy Ball is a fairly new event in Hamilton that has grown to become quite popular. The ball, a fundraiser for the rodeo ground improvement project, brought in 600 people last year, all packed into the First Interstate Event Center at the fairgrounds, dancing to live music until past midnight.

But dancing isn’t the whole story. The ball will also have local food and drink vendors, as well as a raffle, cow pie bingo, and roping demonstrations. For those in the mood for an old fashioned small town hoedown, don’t miss the 3rd annual Cowboy Ball.

The ball starts at six, and ends when the cows go home. Tickets are $5 at the door, or tables can be reserved in advance. See rc.mt.gov/fair.

Annual McIntosh Apple Day

Called the Biggest Bake Sale Under the Big Sky, Apple Day features produce from local farmers as well as food arts and crafts from around the Bitterroot. The biggest highlights include a bake sale including more than 700 apple themed treats and apples in every form imaginable, from pies to butter.

Apple Day is held at the Ravalli County Museum in Hamilton. Come enjoy a bowl of buffalo chili or a caramel apple while listening to live music or letting children play games. Be sure to load up on as many apple goodies as possible.

This year, Apple Day will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5 See brvhsmuseum.org or call 496-3633338 for more information.

Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013 - Page 45

Daly Mansion

In 1886, Marcus Daly, an Irish immigrant turned mining Copper King, bought a homestead and build a home for him and his wife in what is now Hamilton. The estate was part of Daly’s 22,000 acre Bitter Root Stock Farm.

After Daly’s death, his wife Margaret renovated the mansion, with the help of famed Montana architect A.J. Gibson, to its present Georgian-Revival style. The 24,000 square foot, three story mansion has 25 bedrooms, 15 bathrooms and 7 fireplaces. The house was boarded up when Mrs. Daly died, but was reopened to the public in 1987, after more than $2 million of renovation work was done to the property and grounds.

An arboretum and garden named after the late Mrs. Daly, house more than 400 trees over 26 acres of land. The mansion and grounds now serve as an educational and cultural hub for the preservation of one of Montana’s biggest names.

Tours of the Daly Mansion, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, are available from May through October. See dalymansion.org or call 406-363-6004 for more details.

Blodgett Canyon

Blodgett Canyon is one of the most picturesque areas of the Bitterroot. To get a great view of it and the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, hike the 3-mile round trip Blodgett Overlook Trail. Blodgett Canyon is often referred to as Montana’s Yosemite.

To get to the trailhead, go west on Main Street in Hamilton past where it becomes West Bridge Road. Turn left of Blodgett Camp Road and look for the signs for the Canyon Creek Trailhead. Stop in to a ranger station for maps and other day hikes in the area.

Page 46 - Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013

DAVID ERICKSON / Ravalli Republic

Darby • Sula • Conner The towns of the Darby, Sula and Conner occupy a region at the lower end of Ravalli County commonly called the South Valley area.

Darby contains some of the oldest buildings in the Bitterroot, including the museum, which was one of the first hand-hewn cabins built in the region. The quiet town of slightly less than 1,000 is also the home of the National Museum of Forest Service History.

Each Summer, Darby holds Logger Days, paying tribute to the timber industry that was responsible for the town’s boom.

Conner is a small community located off Highway 93 south of Darby, and sits on the edge of the Bitterroot National Forest. Trapper Peak stands nearby, with a summit of 10, 157

feet.

Sula is the place where the Lewis and Clark expedition first encountered the Salish Native American tribe in 1805. The tribe outfitted the explorers with horses and helped guide them through the Bitterroot Mountains. Sula is named for the first white child born in the area, Ursula.

A painting by Charlie Russell of a view near Sula hangs in the Montana State Capitol Building.

The South Valley area has some of the best boating and fishing in the region, including Lake Como to the north and Painted Rocks State Park to the south. To the south is a ski hill and hot springs.

Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013 - Page 47

Darby farmers market

one of the first hand-hewn cabins in the area, originally built in 1886. In 1958, it was moved from its original location at Tin Cup to its current location in Darby. The museum contains photos of the cabin at its first location. It also has handwritten letters, deeds, and documents from schools and churches to give a glimpse into the everyday life of the Darby area’s past.

The museum opens for the season on Memorial Day and is open through Labor Day. It is located behind City Hall just off Main Street in Darby. Call for information at 406-821-3753.

Darby Pioneer Memorial Museum

Old West Gallery

Every Tuesday from May through October, local growers bring their wares into town and set up for a farmer’s market that lasts from morning through the afternoon.

The farmer’s market is the best way to get ahold of local produce, as well as handmade sweets and artistic goods. It’s a traditional weekly event dating back for years.

The Darby farmer’s market is located right in the center of town, in the park next to city hall on Main Street in Darby.

This pioneer museum houses home life and business artifacts of historic Darby, as well as early photos showing the history of Darby and its inhabitants.

The building that houses the museum was

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This one block long shop in the middle of Darby is a one stop shop for everything from area gifts and souvenirs to local antiques and art. But the real draw, as the sign above the door won’t let you forget, is the large candy shop that takes up one side of the building.

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Page 48 - Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013

DAVID ERICKSON / Ravalli Republic

The Old West makes its own fudge and chocolate that it sells on premises, and contains more than 400 types of candy that can be bought in bulk. From jelly beans and taffy to throwbacks like Big Hunk and Abba Zaba, a trip through Darby isn’t complete with filling up on sweets.

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The Old West Gallery is open every day and is located on Main Street. Look for the sign with “Candy” in big letters, it’s tough to miss.

Darby Logger Days

Darby Logger Days is an annual lumberjack competition event held at the South Valley BITTERROOT ARTS GUILD

Art in the Park July 27 & 28, 2012 • 9am - 5pm 2ND & BEDFORD Lots of arts & craft vendor booths!

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Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013 - Page 49

Veteran’s Memorial on the south end of Darby.

This year, the 12th annual event will be held Friday and Saturday, July 19-20.

The first day’s afternoon events will include boxing over water competitions, Ma & Pa races, chain saw tossing and kids races. Saturday the logging competition is the all-day attraction.

Celebrating the tradition of the logging industry, the timber sport competition includes axe throwing, pole climbing and cut cross sawing, just to name a few. Both days will have food and retail vendor booths open.

Live music will be featured at the event both nights, starting in the evening and continuing on until midnight. Organizers say last year more than 3,000 people attended Darby’s Logger Days. Ticket sales benefit the veteran’s memorial. More information, including how to get tickets, is located online at the event’s website darbyloggerdays.com.

FILE PHOTO

Page 50 - Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013

Painted Rocks State Park

Painted Rocks State Park on the West Fork of the Bitterroot River, offers boating and fishing opportunities with the Painted Rocks Reservoir.

The park is named for the colored lichen that covers the rocks walls, giving them green, yellow and orange hues. Big Horn Sheep can often be seen from the cliffs surrounding the park. There are also 25 campsites, with fire pits and picnic tables, meaning it is also ideal for swimming and overnight stays.

To get to Painted Rocks, take the West Fork Road from from Highway 93, north of Conner. More information can be found online at stateparks. mt.gov/painted-rocks/ or by calling 406-273-4253.

Lake Como Recreation Area

The Lake Como Recreation Area is the most popular outdoor spot in the Bitterroot area. Lake Como features beaches with roped off swimming areas, and a boat launch and picnic area. It also has

the Rock Creek Trailhead, with several hiking trails available. Snow-covered mountains, whose melt off feeds the lake, rise up sharply at the end of the lake.

Camping options for overnight stay are available, including hookups for RVs. The historic Woods cabin, located on the lake shore, can be rented year round (call 1-877-444-6777 or visit recreation.gov).

Summer weekends are busy at Lake Como, with plenty of swimmers, motorboats and jet skis on the water. In winter, Lake Como is a great place for snowshoeing and ice fishing, and has several groomed cross country skiing tracks.

Lake Como is located four miles up the paved Lake Como Road off Highway 93 between Hamilton and Darby. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, all vehicles at Lake Como must have a recreation pass, which can be purchased at the recreation area. See fs.usda.gov/bitterroot for more information.

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Hardtimes Bluegrass Festival

The annual Hardtimes Bluegrass Festival will bring together 10 bluegrass bands from across the Northwest, as well as solo acts. This year, the festival takes place July 26-27.

This family-friendly event also has food and drink vendors present all of the days of this celebration of traditional bluegrass music, which includes performances by the Red Desert

PHOTO PROVIDED

Ramblers from Salt Lake City and Spring Thaw from Missoula. “Kids in Bluegrass” a collection of youth just learning how to play, will also perform. Music starts Friday night at 6:00 p.m. and continues all weekend long. Bring your own chair and enjoy some tunes.

To get to the festival, go north on Highway 93 from Darby, and turn at mile marker 37 to Forest Hill Road. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids.

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Page 52 - Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013

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Lost Trail Hot Springs Resort south of Sula provides lodging, dining, and of course, a natural, chemical-free outdoor hot springs swimming pool and hot tub.The hot springs is open year-round with cabins and lodge rooms to rent.

A bit of a journey, but worth it for one of the most historic places in the state. Travel south from Darby to the Idaho border, then head east in MT-43 for 17 miles to reach the Big Hole National Battlefield.

Scene of the 1877 Battle of the Big Hole, the largest battle of the Nez Perce War between the Native American tribe and the U.S. government, who had pushed them off their land in Oregon to an Idaho reservation. The Nez Perce decided to attempt to escape to Canada after some of their members killed white settlers.

U.S. forces attacked the Nez Perce encampment at Big Hole. During a two day battle, more than 60 Nez Perce, including women and children, were killed. The U.S. Cavalry lost almost 30. Two months later, the Nez Perce surrendered, only 40 miles from the Canadian Border.

Big Hole was designated a national battlefield in 1963. A visitor center, museum and bookstore provide more historical insight to the area.

Ranger guided tour are available in the summer.

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Spring and summer in the Bitterroot is beautiful, but it’s during the winter when one of the real gems of the South Valley is available for use. Lost Trail Powder Mountain, which at the border between Montana and Idaho south of Darby.

Named after the trail where Lewis and Clark became lost on the way to the Continental Divide, the ski hill has something for beginners and experts alike. Five chairlifts and three rope tows provide easy access to the more than 1,800 acres of skiing terrain. The lodge also offers great food and drinks.

Lost Trail gets more than 300 inches of snow annually, and is known in the area for its low ticket prices and short lift lines. With more than 50 marked trails from bunny hill to glades, a ski and boarding school for first timers, and equipment rentals, Lost Trail Powder Mountain is a perfect winter destination.

Visit losttrail.com for details.

Main

Lost Trail Powder Mountain

In the winter, the pool area is covered by a dome, so guests can continue to enjoy it at any time. During the winter, Chief Joseph Cross Country Trails just to the east provides more than 25 miles of groomed trail and the hot springs, as well as snowmobile routes.

See its website at losttrailhotsprings.com or call 406.821.3574.

252

More information can be found by going to hardtimesbluegrass.com or calling 406-8213777.

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Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013 - Page 53

PHOTO PROVIDED BY RAWHIDE OUTFITTERS

Salmon

Salmon sits in Lemhi County in Idaho, which is famous for the a rush of gold miners in the late 1800s. The Lewis and Clark expedition also crossed the Continental Divide at Lemhi Pass, southeast of Salmon. Salmon, home of Sacajawea, also has a historic center that opened in 2003 dedicated to preserving the history of the area.

The Lewis and Clark expedition dubbed the Salmon River the “River of No Return� after attempting to use it to continue their journey to

the Pacific.

Salmon is now known as one of the best whitewater areas in the world, with visitors flocking to the town in the spring and summer to get on the water. But other recreational options abound, from hunting and steelhead fishing to mountain biking and horseback riding.

To the north, at the Idaho-Montana border, there is also a ski resort, Lost Trail Powder Mountain. Several ghost towns in the area can be visited with a short drive on some of the most scenic roadways in the Pacific Northwest.

Page 54 - Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013

Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural and Educational Center

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Salmon, being the birthplace of the only woman that was part of the Lewis and Clark expedition, is also home to the Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural, and Educational Center.

The grounds of the Sacajawea Center cover 71 acres that includes walking trails with interpretive signs about the area’s environment and history.

Inside the center, there is a small gift shop selling history books about Sacajawea, the Lewis and Clark expedition

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Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013 - Page 55

and the Native American tribes that inhabited the area. Artifacts from the Lewis and Clark expedition, along with informational dioramas and videos inform visitors about the expedition, and the role the Salmon area and Sacajawea played in it.

There is also an extensive wing showing the history of the Agai Dika Lemhi Shoshone people.

The center is open from Memorial Day through the end of September, 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (noon to 5:00 on Sundays). The outdoor trails are open year round.Entrance to the Sacajawea Center is $12 per family, $5 per person. Tours are also available. Visit sacajaweacenter.org or call 208-7561188 for details.

Sacajawea Heritage Days

Every year, the Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural and Educational Center holds an event

called Sacajawea Heritage Days to celebrate the history of the Salmon region and its people.

Heritage Days, which will be held Aug. 17, brings culture to the community. Whether it is the Agai Dika Lemhi Shoshone powwow or a dutch oven cooking competition, visitors will learn more about history and have fun doing it.

The all-day, free event includes games for children, and interactive programs, like demonstrations on knot tying to showing how expedition saddle horses are packed. There will also be yarn dyeing, spinning and weaving, as well as candle making.

A Native American feast and dance finished off the evening. For more information, see sacajaweacenter.org or call 208-756-1188.

Lemhi County Fair

For a week every August, the town of Salmon revolves around the county fair. This year, the fair will be held from August 17-24, and will include

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Page 56 - Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013

a rodeo, horse racing, livestock showings from 4H and FFA, and live music.

Every night, there is another main event to experience, in addition to rides, food vendors, and art galleries. Local favorites include horse shows, dog races, and a pie making contest.

The event is held at the fairgrounds in Salmon. Details and schedules can be found online at lemhicountyfair.com

and feature cars in street stock, sport stock and sport compact divisions.

Races start in the evenings around 7:00, and go until 10:00, or longer, depending on, as a race organizer puts it, “how many crashes we have.”

Call the Salmon Valley Racing Association at 208-756-3817 for more details.

Salmon River Days

Stock car races

Starting in May and continuing through the summer visitors can enjoy stick car racing at the quarter mile dirt track at the fairgrounds in Salmon, a tradition that has been going on for two decades.

This year, the first races will be May 17-18.

Further race events will be held on June 14-15, June 28-29, July 19-20, and Sept. 6-7. The race in late June is a benefit race for the Wounded Warriors foundation. Tickets to the races are $7,

Salmon River Days is a cultural celebration held in Salmon during the first week of July, over the 4th of July weekend. The annual event, put on by the Salmon Chamber of Commerce, is the way Salmon kicks off summer.

Live music, parades, street fairs, and even a demolition derby are all a part of this multi-day free event. River Days starts with a 4th of July fireworks show and ends with a boat race on the Salmon River on Sunday. During the weekend, there is a concert series at the Sacajawea

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Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013 - Page 57

PHOTO PROVIDED BY RAWHIDE OUTFITTERS

amphitheater.

The main portions of River Days are located on Main Street in Salmon. Visit salmonchamber. com, or call 208-756-2100 for more information.

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Page 58 - Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013

It also has daily specials, so there is always something new to try. The Junkyard Bistro is open every day for lunch and dinner. Relax inside or sit out and enjoy a meal or a drink on the patio.

See the Junkyard Bistro’s Facebook page or call 208-756-2466 for more details.

Salmon whitewater rafting

Heritage Days & Agai Dika Days are now

CHOKECHERRY DAYS August 16 and 17

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17TH

6 p.m. Dutch Oven Cooking Class - FREE

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18TH

5 a.m. Agai Dika Lemhi Shoshoni Sunrise Ceremony Celebration run to Lemhi Pass 11 a.m. Dutch Oven cooking feast - until food is gone ALL DAY SATURDAY • Backcountry Horsemen Demonstrations • Weaving, candle making, wool dying, spining • Native American art and clothing exhibit • Native history - Lemhi Shoshoni stories - Leo Ariwite Period History Lecture - Professor Orlan Svengen 3 p.m Native American games - children, men and women .

5 p.m. Lemhi Shoshoni gathering “feast” 6 p.m. Grand entry - dance contests.

It’s hard to even think of Salmon without thinking of being out enjoying all the outdoor recreation options the town and area offer. As one of the whitewater capitals of the world, a visit to Salmon is not complete without getting onto the waters of the Salmon River.

There are many rafting companies in town that can set up guided floats or rent out gear.

Idaho Adventures, located on Main Street, has been in the business for more than 40 years, and offers guided whitewater and scenic floating trips, as well as steelhead fishing expeditions.

They also have guided bike rides, as well as equipment rentals for all of their services available. For those looking for tips on where to go, whether on the water or on the trails, Idaho Adventures can supply directions to a good time to any visitors, regardless of skill level.

For more information, see idahoadventures. com, call them at 1-800-789-9283 or drop in and visit them on Main Street in Salmon.

AUGUST 12-18

1805 Experience Salmon Outdoor School INTERPRETIVE CENTER IS OPEN MEMORIAL DAY - OCT. 2 MON - SAT 9AM-5PM; SUN 12:30-5PM Trails open year round during daylight hours Groups & Events - call 756-1188 for information

PHOTO PROVIDED BY RAWHIDE OUTFITTERS

Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013 - Page 59

Lemhi County Historical Museum

The Lemhi County Historical Museum houses various exhibits that provide a sense of the history the community of Salmon has. Through preservation and interpretive history of artifacts found in the Salmon area, the museum strives to build its historic collection.

Some of the exhibits include the largest collection of Lemhi Shoshone artifacts available anywhere in the country, as well as artifacts and photographs from the Chinese immigrant community. There is also a wing dedicated to the discovery of gold and other minerals in the area, along with the westward PHOTO PROVIDED BY RAWHIDE OUTFITTERS

Only a short scenic drive to Salmon River Country for an exciting outdoor adventure!

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expansion that gave rise to cattle, sheep and timber industries.

The museum is open Monday through Saturday from the end of May through October, and on Wednesdays the rest of the year.

The Lemhi County Historical Museum is located at 210 Main Street. For additional details, visit lemhicountymuseum.org, or call 208-756-3342.

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Located in Corvallis, at the heart of the Bitterroot Valley, The Wild Mare restaurant is open Wednesday thru Saturday from 5-10 p.m (May 1st through Labor Day) and 5-9 p.m. (fall and winter hours) for dinner.

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Purple Easel Gallery

This artist coop in downtown Salmon includes work from local artists, from woodwork and glass to painting, sculpture and even handcrafted knives. The gallery, open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

In all, the works of more than 50 artists are contained inside the gallery.

In addition to painters and sculptors, the gallery also features the photography of Jerry Slagle, whose landscape and wildlife photography capture the beauty and spirit of the Salmon area.

The Purple Easel gallery is located on Main Street in Salmon. For further information, visit purpleeaselgallery.com or call 208-756-8839.

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Ranked in the top 10 best drives in the Rocky Mountain area, this scenic road that runs through Salmon is a can’t miss drive to see the beautiful landscape of Idaho.

Mirroring the Salmon River and running through areas like the Sun Valley and along several national forests, the Salmon River-Sawtooth Scenic Byway is the best reason to get in the car or on the motorcycle and just go. Craters of the Moon National Monument and the Ernest Hemingway memorial are just a few of the attractions you will find along the route.

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Page 62 - Bitterroot Valley Vista, 2013

advertiser index Access Ability Solutions......................................63 Alpine Realty........................................................21 Alta Ranch............................................................42 Angler’s Lodge.....................................................13 Artists Along The Bitterroot................................49 Bellezza Salon & Spa...........................................10 Between The Worlds...........................................15 Big Sky Toy Room................................................41 Bitter Root Brewing.............................................10 Bitterroot Arts Guild............................................48 Bitterroot Building Industry Association............16 Bitterroot Brewfest..............................................21 Bitterroot River Inn & Conf Center.....................14 Blacksmith Brewing.............................................39 Chapter 1 Bookstore...........................................50 Cheers Unlimited.................................................47 Coffee Cup...........................................................29 Cowboy Troy’s......................................................50 Custom Cut Construction...................................48 Daly Mansion.........................................................5 Darby Espress-O..................................................52 Denture Center ...................................................56 Dollar Rent-A-Car................................................19 Double H Custom Hats.........................................8 Downtown Hamilton ...........................................54 Dr. Michael Taylor, Dentist....................................6 Dr. Molly Gannon Family Dentistry....................47 Eskay Bridal..........................................................37 Fiesta En Jalisco..................................................11 First Baptist Church.............................................51 Flying Horse.........................................................52 Flying R Ranch Guest Cabins..............................18 Fords Department Store.....................................24 Frontier Auto..........................................................2 Full Moon Saloon................................................18 Grants Meadows..................................................45 Hamilton Golf Club.............................................24 Hamilton Players..................................................56 Hangar Cafe.........................................................29 Hard Times Bluegrass Festival............................55

Hideout Bar & Casino..........................................11 Kwa Taq Nuk Resort............................................15 Lambros Realty, Donna Larson Shulund............59 Lifeline Creamery Farm Store.............................25 Lost Trail Powder Mountain................................61 Lube Quick Inc.......................................................9 Montana Professional Artist Association...........64 Montana Westgate..............................................39 Old West Gallery.................................................28 Pioneer Carriage Services...................................34 Ravalli County Fairgrounds.................................12 Ravalli County Museum.........................................8 Ravalli Electric Coop............................................13 Rawhide Outfitters...............................................59 REMLC Sportsman Lodging Llc.........................57 River Rising Bakery................................................6 Rocking L Ranch Alpacas....................................27 Rocky Mountain Bank..........................................41 Rusty Blue’s Emporium........................................38 Sacajawea Center................................................58 Second Street Market.........................................51 Skalkaho Steakhouse...........................................55 Spice Of Life.........................................................43 Stevensville Civic Club........................................20 Stevensville Main Street Association.................38 Sticks & Stones....................................................57 Super One Grocery Store............................. 32-33 The Loft................................................................36 The Merc Fresh Market.......................................60 The Wild Mare.....................................................60 Towne & Country Mortgage...............................25 Townhouse Inn, Hamilton...................................43 Victor Heritage Museum.....................................34 West Fork Mountain Crafts.................................42 Western Montana Clinic......................................31 Wild Rose Emu Ranch.........................................19 Willing Servants...................................................22 Wimps Body Works Inc.......................................28 Wind River Bear Institute....................................61

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