The Story Behind the "M"

The "M" is 620 feet above the Missoula Valley floor. It is 125' feet long and 100' feet wide. University of Montana forestry students cut the switchbacks into the side of the hill in the early 1900's. The first "M" was assembled out of whitewashed rocks in 1909, and given a fresh coat of paint by freshmen every year, until 1968, when all those rocks were cemented together with concrete.

Photo by Nelson Kenter, kenterphotography.com

Archive for the ‘Blogs’ Category

Photos in Remembrance of 9/11/01

Lest we forget. Photos in Remembrance of 09/11/01.... more

Bob Wire Maintains the Separation of Church and State (Campground)

By BOB WIRE - When sharing close quarters in a campground, concessions must be made. If you’re going to play music it needs to be two things: well-done and inoffensive.... more

Quality is the Key When Couponing

By ERIN TURNER - Does buying off-brand items always pays off? My answer is usually--you just have to be careful. Quality is the key when couponing.... more

Missoula Roller Derby: A Commitment On and Off the Track

By KP NICHOLS - For me the commitment, feeling of ownership, camaraderie, and competition all drive me as a skater. It’s a privilege to be a Hellgate Rollergirl.... more

Breakfast in the Bitterroot: Memories Cafe

By DONNA HULL - Breakfast and a scenic drive just seem to go together, don’t you think? I’m starting a new series called Breakfast in the Bitterroot.... more

The Missoula Job Service: Helping Local Businesses

By JENNIFER LODINE-CHAFFEY - In addition to helping Missoulians find work, the Missoula Job Service offers services to support local businesses, like Submittable.... more

On the Grill: Lemongrass Pork Satay with Rice and Grilled Portabella Mushrooms

By PAUL SIDORIAK - Featuring a blended marinade and simple, skewered pork tenderloin, this is an easy and fun dish that everyone will love!... more

Smoke Gets in Your… Well, Everywhere

By BOB WIRE - August in Missoula means forest fire smoke is everywhere. It’s insidious. You can’t escape it. It’s like bluegrass. I even wrote a song about it.... more

Road Tripping to Helena

By DONNA HULL - Once in a while my feet get itchy for a road trip. That’s how my husband Alan and I found ourselves in Helena earlier this summer.... more

The Year of the Big Blackfoot

By BRYCE MCLEAN - The Blackfoot River has once again risen to the top of many anglers' lists of the greatest trout streams in North America, and it has been sweet.... more

Hank Williams III: A Family Tradition of Defiance, Dissonance

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - Hank Williams III never met his iconic grandfather, but their resemblance is beyond uncanny. And he revels in his boozy, rowdy family tradition.... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula. This week, it's Hamlet performed outdoors at Shakespeare in the Park, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Hank 3, and more.... more

Every Dog Has Its Bone

By BOB WIRE - My dog, Houdini, is sauntering around the yard with a newfound swagger, due to his rockin' new collar from the Bret Michaels line of dog accessories.... more

On the Grill: Salt Slab Grilled Striped Bass and Summer Veggies

By PAUL SIDORIAK - Between the flaky, mild flavor of the fish and the freshness of the local vegetables, this dish captures the taste of summer in a single bite. ... more

The Run of My Life: The Hardrock 100-Mile Endurance Race

By JOHN HART - This July, I ran the 100-mile Hardrock race in Colorado. I often thought about the encouragement the Missoula running community gave me in the effort.... more

Keeping Pace with Summer in the Flathead Valley

By KELLYN BROWN - The other day at the gym my teacher forewarned the class in front of him that the next exercise made a previous student puke from exhaustion. ... more

Senator Lee Metcalf: Champion of Conservation, Montana Legend

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - Perhaps no U.S. Senator ever was more faithful to sensible, proactive resource management than Montana's Lee Metcalf.... more

Montana Wildernesses: Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - The Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1963 as a habitat for migratory birds and is home to a diversity of wildlife.... more

Save Money with Easy School Night Dinners

By ERIN TURNER - With school starting up soon, I'm getting organized for fall. Making freezable meals in advance saves money and makes life easier on school nights.... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula. This week, it's the Hellgate Rollergirls' first bout of the year, River City Roots Fest, MUD garden party, and more.... more

The Economic Impact of Missoula’s Saturday Markets

By JENNIFER LODINE-CHAFFEY - In addition to creating a vibrant community, there are a number of economic benefits to supporting Missoula's farmers' markets.... more

Bob and Marianne’s High School Reunion

By BOB WIRE - I’m getting increasing pressure to attend my 35th high school reunion. I plan to show up in a ruffled tuxedo shirt, sporting Fu Manchu, driving a Pacer.... more

Paul Wheaton on Polyculture

By PAUL WHEATON - A polyculture is a mix of plants all trading their unique goodness with other plants. All plant-eating animals are designed to eat plants from a polyculture.... more

New Belgium Brewery’s Clips of Faith Returns to Missoula

By RYAN NEWHOUSE - This Friday, New Belgium’s fundraising foray into short films, Clips of Faith, is returning to Caras Park in Missoula. ... more

Maiden Missoula Review: Whistling Andy Distillery

By LEAH LEWIS - If you are ready to really wow the guests at your next cocktail party or back yard barbeque, pick up a bottle of Hibiscus Coconut Rum from the Whistling Andy Distillery in Bigfork.... more

UM Sports Trivia

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: Former UM Association Athletic Director, Kathy Noble, Assistant Football Coach, Timm Rosenbaugh, and Paytyn Wheeler.... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula. This week, it's a Bob Dylan pre-party, Garden City Harvest's Farm Party, Family Night at the ballpark, and more.... more

On the Grill: Hasselback Grilled Potatoes

By PAUL SIDORIAK - This is a fancy version of grilled Russet potatoes. Start by making cuts in the potato, then slather it with butter, cheese, and more tasty toppers.... more

Bob Wire’s Top Tips to Beat the Heat

By BOB WIRE - I like it hot, but man, I could use a break. Here are some of my top tips to beat the heat, most of which include beer, cold cuts, and Gold Bond powder. ... more

Cool off at Skalkaho Falls

By DONNA HULL - How many waterfalls are in the Missoula area? I’m sure long-time residents could fill me in. My suggestion as a newcomer—Skalkaho Falls... more

UM Sports Trivia

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - Making Chris' top trivia mentions this week: MSU Football coach, Rob Ash, Pat Kennedy, Tate Martell, and Brock Ostweiler.... more

The Perfect Pair: Montana Craft Beers & Fly Fishing

By MATT DEVLIN & BRYCE MCLEAN - There's no better way to beat the heat than enjoying a cold beer while flyfishing. Here are our favorite local beer and river pairings.... more

Former Olympian Suzy Favor-Hamilton’s Path to Happiness

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - While 3-time Olympian Suzy Favor-Hamilton's public persona was upbeat, inside she fought depression. Today, she shares her path to happiness.... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula this week, including the full schedule of events at the Western Montana Fair!... more

4-H Kids Go for Gold (and Blue) at the Western Montana Fair

By ERIN TURNER - The Western Montana Fair opens this Tuesday, but for 4-H kids, the fair started months ago. Stop by to congratulate them on their hard work!... more

Missoula Day Hikes: Rattlesnake National Recreation Area

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - The 61,000-acre Rattlesnake National Recreation Area is positioned at the northern city limits of Missoula. It's heaven on earth for avid hikers!... more

Young Men, Fire, and the Missoula Fire Lab

By MARK VOSBURGH - It's August, it's hot, and it's fire season. If you haven't read Norman Maclean's Montana literary classic, "Young Men and Fire", now is the time.... more

A Fond Farewell to Beer League Softball

By BOB WIRE - I’ve never been the best player on the team, but I can guarantee that no one had more fun playing slow-pitch, D League Missoula softball than this guy.... more

How to Use Social Media to Help Your Job Search

By JENNIFER LODINE-CHAFFEY - While social media can be a very effective tool in your job search it can also threaten your odds of finding employment. ... more

Small Town Fun at Creamery Picnic in Stevensville

By DONNA HULL - Don’t you just love a parade? I do. And, that’s where you’ll find me on Saturday, August 4, 2012 for the 100th Creamery Picnic Parade in Stevensville, Montana.... more

What Does the Future Hold? Long-Range Planning for Run Wild Missoula

By DAVID SCHMETTERLING - Here in Missoula, we have a successful running club: 1400+ runners of all levels, a fantastic marathon, and more. What does the future hold?... more

Make It Missoula Monday: What’s Happening This Week

Trail 103.3 DJs share what's happening in Missoula this week: Kids Fest at Caras Park, Gillian Welch plays the Wilma, Out to Lunch and First Friday. Busy Week!... more

Paul Wheaton’s CFL Video goes live

By ANDY COMMONS - Think CFLs are good? Paul Wheaton has just produced a video that says otherwise. Andy sheds light on the issue.... more

Save Big As We Say Goodbye to Missoula’s Kmart

By ERIN TURNER - On September 30, the Missoula Kmart will close its doors for good. It is sad to see the end of an era, but the silver lining is that everything's on sale!... more

UM Sports Trivia

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN - The Montana Lady Griz basketball team opens their regular season in Philadelphia against 'Big Five', Temple.... more

In the Fast Lane on the Highway to Hell

By BOB WIRE - Now that I have a teenager in Driver’s Ed, I’m the one who has to start following all the rules of the road.... more

On the Grill: Cheese-Stuffed Burgers & Curly Hot Dogs

By PAUL SIDORIAK - I get nostalgic about the summer memories a meal of burgers and dogs evokes. For fun, here two new twists on a classic American summer meal.... more

Get Inspired by Run Wild Missoula’s Beginner Runner Training Class

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - Were you inspired by the Missoula Marathon? Run Wild Missoula will offer a eight-week Beginner Runner Training Class starting Aug. 15.... more

Tired of Tilling? Try Seed Balls

By PAUL WHEATON - Ever thought of lobbing seeds into your field? No tilling, just a good arm? Seed balls are used in no-tilling cultivation to get seeds established.... more

10 Heavenly Montana Hikes West of the Continental Divide

By BRIAN D'AMBROSIO - Nothing inspires like a heart-pounding hike into Montana's high country. Put these ten picks for memorable hikes on your Montana bucket list!... more