For years our friends Emily, Pat and Ian lived in Missoula Montana and every time we traveled nearby, we would be sure and carve out some time to pull into that area and visit. A few years ago Ian married, and then eventually moved to Polson and had a couple of children...so, of course "grandma and grandpa" quickly followed! Now, we make a day visit to Missoula because there still are a couple of shops we like, and then travel on to Polson for our visit! Polson is the home of the beautiful Flathead Lake, and it's a little more pricey, so we ended up camping out a smidge further, but still close enough for easy access.
We actually have another friend who also lives in Polson, one of our
Happy Trails folks who used to just be here during the summer months and winter in Happy Trails (and was in Theater with me and along with Jack in the Sawmill) but last year decided to move back to Polson year 'round. We were super lucky to catch up with Charlie as he had just gotten back from a two week fishing trip in Alaska just before we left, and got my phone message that we were in town and wanted to see him. He called me back and we got together at his lovely home for lunch and a great afternoon of "catch-up". After spending his first winter back in Polson, he's not so sure he wants to do it again and is looking at places to take off for at least a few weeks this year to someplace "without snow"! I think Arizona spoiled him!
We spent several days with our friends Emily and Pat, including our anniversary. They were kind enough to take us to a lovely dinner to celebrate our 29th wedded year (forgot to take a picture!) as well as a great home cooked one the next day, yum! We all drove together to tour Bigfork and see their beautiful Swan River community area.
When we weren't with them, we were checking out Polson! Well, let me tell you, they have the most unique museum we have come across so far.
The Miracle of America Museum has just about
everything ever made or even thought of, from the late 1800's to the 2000's! ...and in all the details! Over four acres outside, and I would guess over an acre inside as well. It took us just about all day to look through it and I'm sure we didn't see everything. I asked the hostess how long the owner had been collecting all this and she said since he was a very young child, and of course has gotten donations as well. The number of vehicles (of every kind) and weapons alone was mind boggling. Jack said some of his WW2 collections were things he had never seen (and he's been to numerous museums) and worth quite a bit. I took a ton of pictures, but here's just a few to give you a little idea...
Once again we lucked out in finding a great "food place"! I had read some blog somewhere about "what to do and where to go" etc in Polson and it mentioned
Betty's Diner, and being a
diner, I knew we had to try it. Just reading the menu, I knew it would be a "winner", and boy, oh boy was it ever! One of the best burgers we've had in a very long time! YUM!!
Well, all to soon our visit needed to end, as there are only so many days until we need to get to Washington, so hugs were given all around and thanks to Polson for the nice sunshiny days! We were off on a scenic route following the Bitterroot River along Hwy 200 through the rest of Montana to the eastern side of Washington...
...on the road, Marie
If you would like to see the rest of my pictures, they are on my flickr: Marie Beschen, Album: Montana
