Clips

My husband and I secure our children in the sled and strap on our snowshoes. Another sled, still empty, trails behind the boys. Henry slips the sled rope around his waist and plays sled dog, pulling the boys over the snow-covered road.

A trip into snowy woods to cut down a Christmas tree has become a tradition in our family. Choosing a place, digging the sleds out of the shed, packing the hot cocoa and peanut butter and banana sandwiches, donning scarves and hats—it’s all part of the ritual that reminds us that the holiday season is here.

While you can buy a tree at a lot, venturing into the woods for a fir or a spruce can be a rewarding way to spend a December day together. And the best part? You always come home with a prize.

If you choose to embark on a cut-your-own-tree adventure, here’s what you need to know.

• Get a permit from the Forest Service or Owenhouse Ace Hardware in Bozeman, Lee & Dad’s Grocery in Belgrade, and Gateway Exxon Market in Gallatin Gateway. They’re $5 and available in Nov. and Dec. You are limited to two trees per household. Find a District Office near you at www.fs.fed.us/r1/gallatin/?page=contactus/offices
• Trees can be cut from anywhere on the National Forest except at campgrounds, trailheads or in plantations.
• Know how tall you want your tree to be before you go. In the forest, there isn’t a good reference point for height, so even a ten-foot tall tree looks short. We know that we want a tree about as tall as my husband.
• Choose a location that is open. Trees growing in groves often shed their lower branches; trees growing in the open have a more traditional Christmas tree shape. Ask Forest Service staff to suggest a meadow or clearing the distance from a trailhead that you want to hike or ski.
• Cut the tree 12 inches or less above the ground level. Remove snow around tree base if needed. Cut off live limbs remaining on the stump. You can always cut more off the bottom if needed; it’s poor tree-cutting etiquette to leave a tall stump.
• Use a tarp or sled to pull the tree back to your vehicle.
• When you get your tree home, make a fresh cut on the butt to open up the pores that have been clogged by sap. Cut off at least one-half inch. The fresh-cut surface should be creamy-white, not yellow or brown. If you do not make a fresh cut, the tree will not be able to drink water. Put the tree in water as soon as possible.
• Decorate and water daily to keep your tree fresh.

Montana Parent
December 2009

By the time December rolls around I’m ready to don my cross-country skis and head out into the snowy woods. There may or may not be enough snow around Bozeman for Nordic skiing, but luckily you can always count on plenty of powder in West Yellowstone.

There are lots of ski trails around West Yellowstone but one of my family’s favorites is the Riverside Trail. Actually two loop trails, the Riverside Trails are easy enough for a beginner skier, but scenic enough for anyone. Another bonus is they are often partially groomed and you an easily pull a ski trailer with your little one. (There are a couple short, steep hills, but they are walkable.)

The trails start on the east side of Boundary Street between Yellowstone and Madison Avenues. Look for the trail sign through a gap in the snowbank.
From the trailhead ski east along the power line. At 1 mile you’ll reach a junction.

Downriver Loop: Veer left and head down the hill toward the river. At 1.25 miles from the junction look for a sign that reads “Cutoff”. By turning left here, you’ll have a nice hill to practice Telemark turns or a shortcut to the west section of the trail. If you ski past the cutoff, continue for 1.3 miles until the trail loops back to the top of the hill. Watch for the orange markers on the trees. It is 1 more mile to the Access Trail.

Upriver Loop: Ski to the right on the road briefly, looking for the trail through the trees on the left. Wind through lodgepoles on a bench above the river. At about 0.5 miles drop down a steep 60 yards. In another 0.3 miles you’ll reach the Madison River. Follow the river downstream to the end of the loop and a mellow climb back to the bench.

The two loops can be combined into a 7.3-mile bigger loop (including the Access Trail).

After skiing drop by Wild West Pizzeria to warm up with pizza and beverages.

What you need to know before you go:
Check in at Free Heel and Wheel, 40 Yellowstone Ave., 406.646.7744, www.freeheelandwheel.com for more information or to rent skis.
Wild West Pizzeria, 14 Madison Ave., 406.646.4400, www.wildwestpizza.com

Montana Parent
December 08

Summer makes me want to hit the road, and one of my favorite things to do is explore Montana. Red Lodge is just a few hours from Bozeman, so it makes a perfect overnight getaway.

Day 1: Drive: Take the scenic drive to Red Lodge, arriving midday.

Hike: It can be hard to choose a place to hike since there are so many great trails just outside of town. A few miles from Red Lodge, along the banks of the West Fork of Rock Creek, is the Silver Run Ski Trail system. These trails are pretty flat, scenic and can be linked together to create whatever length outing your family is up for. (From Red Lodge drive south and turn right on West Fork Road. Stay straight at 2.8 miles. Drive another 1.6 miles to Silver Run Road and turn left. Drive across the bridge and park.)

Explore: Stroll down Broadway and—if you have older kids—pop into the Red Lodge Clay Center to check out the newest exhibition. (redlodgeclaycenter.com) Kids of all ages will enjoy Magpie Toymakers where you’ll find toys powered by imagination—not batteries. Don’t forget a stop at Montana Candy Emporium, an old-fashioned candy shop.

Download a self-guided historic walking tour map (redlodge.com > adventure > self guided tours) and discover Red Lodge’s heritage while you walk.

Eat: End the day with dinner at the kid-friendly Red Lodge Pizza Company. (thepizzaco.com)

Day 2:
Mine the past: Follow Hwy 308 east. Just a few miles from town you’ll see the coalmines of Washoe and Bearcreek. Markers offer geologic and historic details, including the story of the Smith Mine Disaster of 1942.

Go Wild: Visit native animals at the Beartooth Nature Center, a refuge for animals that cannot be released into the wild. Meet bobcats, coyotes, bald eagles, mountain lions and other wild critters. (beartoothnaturecenter.org)

Know before you go

Find out about lodging, camping, rafting, horseback riding and a million other things to do in Red Lodge at redlodge.com.

Or contact the chamber at 406.446.1718 or 1.888.281.0625, email: rlacc59068@gmail.com or redlodgechamber.org.

Montana Parent
Summer 2009

With fall in full force and winter peaking its head around the corner, the season for hot springing has officially begun. The many hot springs—both natural and developed—in southwest Montana provide respite, relaxation and recreation for families.

One of our family’s favorite hot spots is Norris Hot Springs. This geothermal delight can be a destination in itself or a relaxing end to a day of fishing, hiking, floating or cross-country skiing. We like to load up the dogs and head for Bear Trap Canyon on the Madison River. After a mellow hike along a mostly flat trail we point the truck west to Norris Hot Springs.

The “Water of the Gods” flows from the ground and into the wooden pool where it is cooled to about 105 degrees, warm enough for a cold day soak, but not too hot for little bodies. As you are bobbing about or dunking your kids, keep an eye on the hillsides and wetlands for deer, pronghorn and moose. Eagles, hawks, Sandhill cranes, waterfowl and other birds are likely to make an appearance as well.

The folks at Norris Hot Springs will rent you a swimsuit and towel if you forget yours or if a soak in the hot springs is a last minute decision. If your kids aren’t ready to take the plunge sans floaties, they can borrow one of the life vests hanging outside the changing room.

When the kids’ tummies rumble, take advantage of the local and sustainabley grown snacks at the No Loose Dogs Saloon. You can check out the distance particular foods traveled to get there by clicking on their website. The greens are even grown on site; you can’t get more local than that.

Older kids might enjoy listening to live music while they swim. Bluegrass, acoustic tunes, alternative music, Celtic melodies or other music fill the air around the pool, and combined with a microbrew or a glass of wine, creates the perfect atmosphere for mom and dad, too.

What you need to know to go:
www.norrishotsprings.com 685.3303
.25 miles east of Norris, Mont. on Hwy 84
October-April: Wednesday-Friday 4pm-10pm, Saturday & Sunday 2pm-10pm.
$5 per person, $7 at 7 pm Thursday - Sunday to support live music.

Montana Parent
Spring 2009

Are we there yet?

Want a great photo of your child on the back of a bison? Then head to Helena. There you’ll find a bison (and other animals native to Montana) circling round and round just outside an ice cream parlor.

It’s the Great Northern Carousel, of course. From buffalo, bighorn sheep and grizzly bears to rabbits, fish, horses and even a dinosaur, the Great Northern Carousel is as fun for you as it is for your kids.

The 40-foot diameter, hand-carved carousel is complete with bright flashing lights and grand-sounding organ music. It consists of 37 hand-carved animals, one chariot and a spinning tub. Custom stained glass running boards depict Helena area landmarks and many Montana-native animals.

The Great Northern Ice Cream Company is connected to the carousel and serves homemade ice cream and fudge.

When you are done spinning and eating, follow the Lewis and Clark interpretive sidewalk to ExplorationWorks!. The path represents the journey of Lewis and Clark on the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers, with renditions of many landmarks they encountered on their expedition. Running water, climbable rocks and cute creatures make for a fun way to learn about the expedition.

Just past the carousel is ExplorationWorks! museum of science and culture. Everything can be touched here, from a real sheep’s eye to a moving skateboard kids try to ride as it tips from side to side. Exhibits change often. “Weather You Like it or Not: The Science of Weather” will be replaced by “Tech City” around June 1.

This interactive learning center appeals to a broad range of ages. Early childhood programming is designed especially for children ages 0 – 5, and Little Sky Country has mountains to climb, discoveries to make, a slide to speed down as well as a pond and theater. Older kids can test their building skills with KEVA planks or interact with one of the many science and humanities exhibits. Check the website for Science Saturdays and other activities.

If you have time leftover your family can participate in an Alive @ 5 festival that takes place every Wednesday night from 5-9pm starting in May and continuing through September, where local venders, bands and participants take to the streets and join in on a unique downtown “block party.”

What you need to know before you go

Great Northern Town Center (all attractions)
406.457.5460, located between Getchell St and Lyndale Ave. East
gntowncenter.com

Great Northern Carousel
406.457.5353
Hours: through June 11 (call for summer hours) Sun (11am-6pm), Mon/Wed/Thur (11am-7pm), Fri (11am-8pm), Sat (10am-9pm)
Fee: $1.50 or buy10 tokens and get 2 rides free (parents can stand with kids who need assistance for free)
gncarousel.com

ExplorationWorks!
406.457.1800
Hours: Tues—Sat (10am-5pm), Sun (12-5pm)
Fee: adults ($8), seniors 65+ ($6.50), kids under 18 ($5.50), kids under 2 (free)
explorationworks.com

Montana Parent