Montana’s Small-Town Tranquility

Looking for excitement and events, where it's happenin' in Montana?  Then go to Billings, Bozeman, Missoula, maybe Kalispell, Great Falls or any community hosting an event on a given weekend.

But if you crave peace and quiet, where you can hear the birds as easily as the occasional car, then a small town in Montana should be your destination.

Recent trips to Forsyth have eased the pressure and given me respite from the Billings workdays.  Visits with family are always greatly appreciated.

Perhaps not as interesting to younger people, small towns also have buildings and houses constructed up to a century ago.  History stands in three dimensions, outside of books and documentary film.  I'm sure every town has a church that hasn't changed at all from the original architecture.

Along with this, every town has that unique quality.  Forsyth has giant murals from artist Bob Watts.  The whole sides of buildings open up to romantic tableaus of frontier adventure.

The trick to seeing the neighborhoods and family homes spanning decades is to get off the main streets.  White Sulphur Springs is a great example of this.  Turn north off the main drag and see home from the 1950s back to even the 1880s; there is even the Castle, an actual medieval fortified home brought from Europe across the plains bricks at a time.

And nearly every town has special events to liven up the day or night.  Upcoming in Forsyth is of course the Quigley buffalo rifle match on Father's Day weekend, and a golf tournament at the same time (thankfully not the same place, haha).  If you are open to a road trip, on any weekend, there is an event in a small town in Montana that suits your tastes, and gives you extra time to enjoy the journey and the peace.

Where Should I Go?

Of anywhere overseas, Greece is the only destination on the bucket list, so I can experience ancient artifacts and an amphitheater.  Otherwise, the only place I want to explore is Montana.  Quaint little discoveries in quiet places throughout the road trips.

If you're thinking "Travis, you need to come to _____ to see the _____," then please send me a note.  I may take you up on the offer.

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