Info on Great Falls, MT???

I'm not sure any place is windier in the winter than Casper... of course I have never been to Grand Forks.:smiley-laughing013:

I lived in Belton for a year right after college. It was perfect, but since it is in the middle of Glacier Nat. Park and a couple of huge Indian (American aborigine) reservations, there is not much private land available.

Sounds like Iowa without the scenery, LOL!!!

Iowa has just enough snow to annoy, but not enough to justify a snowmobile or ice fishing shanty.

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Getting ready to pay a recon visit to Great Falls and Helena in a few short weeks. Thanks for all the great responses and info thus far.

We have a few days of siteseeing and a few days of chatting and interviewing realtors.

Any low key, must see things that take a half day or less in Helena or Great Falls?

Thanks in advancve folks...can't wait to get there!

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The Lewis & Clark Museum, The C.M. Russell Museum, and Giant Springs in GTF.

I put 'em on the list, thank you!

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Too bad it's too early for the Gates of the Mountains boat trip/tours -- they're really pretty and very interesting. This is outside of Helena.

Visit the various falls on the Missouri River. There are several very close to town. And I second Giant Springs!

Stop at the overlook at the airport -- awesome view of the city and river valleys.

Stop at the local greenhouses!

Ahh, my DH1 went on his first boat ride at Gates of the Mountain and he and my husband got to see their first mountain goat! Thanks for bringing back some great memories.

Hi: We tried homesteading in Montana for a 7 years we finally gave up on it we liked Montana but for homesteading it is not a good place don't do it. here is why. We liked the hunting and fishing part it was great for game food sources. It also has a lot of sun and wind for off grid power. However Montana is very dry, and cold in spring and fall. This means many things to the homesteader that cannot be overcome:
1.) Gardening is extremely hard you have to water constantly and often on really hot windy days we had to water twice per day.
2.) Fruit trees are limited due to the lack of water. We had a couple fruit trees but again we had to water them constantly sometimes twice a day to get very limited crops.
3.) Short growing seasons are the norm there due to late frost and early frost. So be prepared for that.
4.) Limits on cattle and grazing space. We wanted to have a small cattle heard for milk and to sell a couple of steers every year for extra money. We had 20 acres and could only keep two cows on it due to the lack of pasture that means buying lots of hay which defeats the purpose.
5.) Harrassment from any rancher and govt about water. Don't even think about watering to much from a well or taking from a stream or impoundment without water rights. The ranchers are extremely hostile and I am not kidding they will threaten you if you water to much. They take this very serious in Montana and the government is on their side and will come after you in a heartbeat.
So I hate be a downer and disagree with those that are singing Montana's praises but we found it a beautiful place to live with nice people but a poor choice for serious homesteading folks. Find a place that has more water and more mild temperatures.

Tell me about it!! I live on the high line. We've had over 90 inches of snow this season. Thankfully, it's going away, slowly. I'm glad it's not melting fast as we have a very good chance of flooding.