I don’t know about all of you, but this time of year gets me excited. Like SUPER excited. As soon as spring hits, there’s a multi-month long smile on my face and I’m filled with childlike wonder—the kind I used to have when I was a just a little miss running around outside, complete with messy hair, skinned knees and missing my two front teeth.
Today, while I now have two front teeth and only the occasionally skinned knee (don’t worry, the messy hair is still intact), I find myself filled with the anticipation of soaking up the spring sunshine. Winter is great and all, but there’s something about this season that makes my heart sing. While I’ve been spending much more time outside with the warming of temperatures, I still have to remind myself that it’s spring—something that I seem to forget quickly. Earlier this week, I was fairly certain that frostbite was in my destiny on my walk to work. Don’t worry, I survived. But apparently that lesson wasn’t enough and today I jackets are no longer required. Again, incorrect. (It is April in Montana, after all).
And while I may not like to dress appropriately for Montana’s spring weather, I can very appropriately and solidly tell you that this is one of the most delectable, delicious smelling and happy times of the year.
Sometimes in my travels and line of work, I come across folks who are truly baffled by what to do in Montana during spring. (It’s like being in between clothing sizes…do you squeeze yourself into a smaller pant or let that darling dress fall off your body? After all, winter is over and you can’t hit the groomed slopes, but it’s certainly not summer and it’s too soon to wakeboard). To which I say, never fear. There is plenty to do in Montana in one of our most underrated and undiscovered seasons.
Biking…
I’m fairly convinced that spring was made for biking. Some of my favorite biking destinations include the Kim Williams Trail in Missoula, the Lake Koocanusa Scenic Byway in northwest Montana, The Whitefish Trail just outside of Whitefish and Glacier National Park.
Golf…
Many Western Montana golfers have already started to work on their swing at area golf courses, with many others following suit shortly. This corner of Montana is a standout as a golfing destination with plentiful courses, complete with gorgeous views.
Bonus: Our friends at The Flathead Beacon just wrote a story on golf courses in Glacier Country. Check it out here.
Early Season Hiking…
Even though the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park doesn’t open until June 21 (weather dependent), there are still so many opportunities to be found in the park during spring. The Camas Road is open for vehicular traffic and I’m told that Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Creek should be open by early May. Plus, if you like stunning scenery, McDonald Falls is an outstanding early season hike.
*Wildlife are starting to move, so be sure you practice proper protocol and carry bear spray when hiking.
Events…
We all know that summer takes center stage when it comes to ridiculously awesome events. But spring is no wallflower.
Some of the events on my own personal must-see list include Rendezvous Days in Eureka (April 25 – 26), Montana Storytelling Roundup in Cut Bank (April 26 – 27), Garden City Brewfest in Missoula (May 5), Spartan Race in Kalispell (May 11 – 12) and the Bigfork Whitewater Festival in Bigfork (May 25 – 26).
Now if you’ll excuse me, me and my Montana bracelet have some playing to do.
Happy, happy spring.
TT
April 12, 2013
Related: Events, Outdoor Fun, Spring Fun
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