I'M MOVING TO MONTANA

March 31, 2010

It's always nice when a dream can come true -- and now that is finally happening for me. I've been thinking for years about Montana, and spending an extended amount of time in the state over the last 2 years (plus the previous 10 years of vacations in the west) has convinced me that I really did want to live in Montana full time. So I sold my property in Nye, MT (beautiful, but a little too remote for me to live there full time) and I'm buying a house on the western side of Montana, close to Flathead Lake. From now on, I'll be updating my blog about Montana from the perspective of someone who lives here. I know I'll still be exploring the state to see all the wonderful things that Montana has to offer.

My new home address is Kalispell, MT. I'm not in the city, but many miles outside in the country, where I feel like I'm really in Montana. Kalispell is a very nice town and has all the amenities you want to be close to (schools, hospitals, stores, fast food, etc.), but you can live in a city anywhere. And if you are going to live in Montana, then you should "feel" like you are in Montana. Complete with views of the fabulous mountain ranges that give Montana the nickname, "Big Sky Country". So I've bought in an area where there are windy gravel roads (can ride my ATV around), lots of pine trees, neighbors around (but you can't see them), and some little lakes. And this house sold itself with the fabulous views of the Swan Mountains, looking so pristine and just glimmering in the sunshine with their snow capped peaks.

The house has a wonderful family room with a fireplace and a wall of windows that let you look at that wonderful view from from any place in the room. And the master bedroom looks exactly the same -- complete with the fireplace. For those who actually know me, you will also know that this is the must "luxurious" home I've ever owned. So in addition to how I will feel "pampered" each day, I'll also wake up to that fabulous mountain vista.

I also have about 300 feet of frontage on a little lake in the area, and I've included a picture from the listing of what the property looks like in the summer time.

I've got friends in the Polson area who own a ranch, and my horse, Ludo, will be coming to Montana to live with their other 10 horses. Ludo is now 17 years old, and while I had hoped to continue riding him competitively for a bit longer, it appears his legs and feet are giving out. So he's going to retire to Montana, and share a pasture with my friend's retired event horse. I know he can still do some hacking, so I intend to go see him a couple of times a week and take him out across the ranch.

Now I must ask for some help (if you care to provide an opinion). The house I'm buying has Hardiplank siding, and according to the inspector, if painted correctly, it will last longer than me. But it was painted while wet, so the paint is bubbling off, and the home needs to be painted. I planned on doing that in the future, as I'm not fond of the gray color, and would like it to look more "rustic" so it fits better with the area. Last year I visited (and wrote about) my day in Fernie, British Columbia. There was a neighborhood of 50's style homes that were being remodeled on the outside. By adding wood trim to the windows and soffits, plus cedar shakes, these homes were transformed and I absolutely loved the look. So I want to do something like this to my new home -- I mean if you are going to spend the money to paint, might as well get everything the way I would like it. So I'm including a couple of pictures that I took in Fernie, and if you have an opinion, let me have it. I'm struggling with what color to paint the main body of the house as well.

I will also be within a half hour of Glacier National Park. And I fully intend to apply a bit earlier this year (like Oct. 1) for the 2011 season. I want to get my CDL and again try to become one of the "Jammer" Red Bus Tour Drivers. I love to talk (pretty much about anything), and I know a lot about Glacier, and I think this job would be perfect for me. If Glacier won't hire me for that job, I'll try to work at one of the gift shops. I spent the first 10 years of my working life as a retail buyer, so I'm highly qualified to work in the shops. It also gives me the opportunity to meet people from around the world who visit Glacier National Park.

I will be closing on the house by the end of April. Then comes the hard work of selling my own home in Georgia, moving my horse, moving my possessions -- OMG!! I do wake up wondering how I am going to get all of this accomplished. But I'm pretty sure a plan will come together.

So.....if anyone ever reads this blog, rest assured that even more stories and adventures in Montana will be coming to you soon.