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

Road Trippin’ to Missoula

By MARGARET HORTON. I’ll be taking off for Missoula soon. As a frequent visitor I know that flights from our area run a couple of times a day, but my favorite way to travel……and the way I travel most ofte... more

The Dandies Ride Again! The Second Annual Missoula Tweed Ride

By BEN WEISS. Are you looking for an excuse to don some wool, ride around on your old-timey bike, and support some fine organizations? Well, you my friends, are in luck. The 2nd Annual Missoula Tweed Ride is ha... more

Without Apple, Our Lives Would Be Beige. Thank You, Steve Jobs.

By BOB WIRE. The news of Steve Jobs’ passing at age 56 came as a grim shock to our family, all of whom are Mac enthusiasts. We’ve always had nothing but Macs, (and iPods and iPads) in our household until la... more

Lower Salmon River Float: A Great Weekend Adventure

by JASON SHREDER. This past weekend, some friends and I decided to float the Lower Salmon River. This is a great last minute, spur-of-the-moment river trip because logistics are fairly easy. That’s exactly ho... more

Seeley Lake Brew Fest and Tamarack Festival: A Weekend of Fun and Suds

By RYAN NEWHOUSE. This weekend kegs will be tapped and poured at the annual Seeley Lake Brew Fest and Tamarack Festival. The event kicks off on Friday October 7 at 7:00 p.m. with festivities throughout the week... more

Run Wild Missoula Members Come in All Shapes and Sizes

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG. Run Wild Missoula members—all 1,250 of them, although different—are ALL inspiring in some way whether it’s taking their first steps to start training for a 5K, winning the Missoula Ma... more

Fly Fishing . . . the Comedy of Tragedy

By BRYCE MCLEAN & MATT DEVLIN. Shakespeare was a fly fisherman. This claim is in no way academically nor historically supported, but he must have drawn his dichotomous inspiration from somewhere. And I’ll l... more

Diatomaceous Earth: Bug Killer You Can Eat!

By PAUL WHEATON. Paul tells us all about Diatomaceous Earth. ... more

How to Score with Albertson’s Double Coupons

By ERIN TURNER It has been a winning week in my house! First, our family’s beloved Dallas Cowboys (no nasty comments, please!) started the week with a superb win, my oldest son’s Little Grizzly footba... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening this week around Missoula.... more

Glow Ball Golf at the Ranch Club

By ANDY COMMONS - Andy fills us in on his night out, golfing in the dark with 59 other people he couldn't see. ... more

Bob for President

By BOB WIRE. Our country is in trouble. 89% of the population feel that the current government is lower than a fresh snake turd, yet most Americans are more interested in the underwear Kim Kardashian wore to h... more

Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs:
Bill Worden – The Shack Cafe

By BOB ZIMORINO. Chefs and Owners: Bill Worden of The Shack Cafe. I have known Bill Worden for over thirty years. We have eaten in each other’s restaurants, always been respectful and usually shared a laugh o... more

Real Cowgirls Wear Sports Bras

By DANIELLE LATTUGA. Okay, so I am less a cow-girl and more a horse-woman but that’s not my point. Usually, I am in a rush when I’ve got to pack up all the stuff I will need or might need on a horseback ri... more

Missoula All Women’s 5K Run on Diva Day, Oct. 8, 2011

By SUE FALSEY. For the fourth year in a row, the City of Missoula and Mayor Engen have proclaimed an early Saturday in October as Diva Day--to acknowledge and celebrate the central role of women in this commu... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 9/26/11.... more

Save by Stockpiling Food and Household Items

By ERIN TURNER. I am replenishing our stockpile after a summer of living off of it. Reasons to stockpile? Convenience, for emergencies, and above all, SAVING MONEY!... more

Grizzlies Lose to Sac State 42-28

By MICK HOLIEN. It was just one of those days or in this case, one of those games. The winning streak over Sacramento is a thing of the past and the Grizzlies, left to their own devices, are back in the midst ... more

Loopy – for Loopy Knit / Crochet in Missoula

By MARGARET HORTON .As the season shifts, so does my creativity. I want to hold a pair of wooden needles and listen to their faint clicking while I knit, purl and attempt to learn the variety of stitches I have... more

Organic Lard is Health Food!

By PAUL WHEATON. Learn about the surprising health benefits of cooking with good old LARD... if you can find it... more

Kate and John Bike for Food and Beer

By RYAN NEWHOUSE. John and Kate Suscovich launched a 24,000-mile journey by bike three and half months ago in New York. The goal was to raise awareness about living active lifestyles and making educated food ch... more

Who Will I Find at the Back of the Pack?

By PAM GARDINER. We have been writing about the BOP (Back of the Pack) for several months now, but we have not in the process made it clear who belongs in this group. That’s because the definition is, truly,... more

Getting Schooled at the Open House

By BOB WIRE. Well, it’s that time of year again—dodging bodies in the school hallway, navigating a strange new campus, trying to decipher a confusing schedule sheet, and hustling to beat the bell in time to... more

It’s Cyclocross Season in Missoula

By BEN WEISS. I hate to say it, but Fall is officially here in western Montana. So, aside from the harvest parties and the cider pressing, it also means it is time for Cyclocross season in Missoula. ... more

Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs:
Justin Philbrick – Red Robin and Jakers

By BOB ZIMORINO. Chefs and Owners: Justin Philbrick of Red Robin and Jakers. I met Justin Philbrick at the Red Robin Restaurant in Southgate Mall. I found him to be articulate and engaging, two qualities every ... more

Missoula Makes Room for Draught Works Brewery

By RYAN NEWHOUSE. Inching ever more closely to an expected late-September opening, owners of Draught Works Brewery, Jeff Grant and Paul Marshall, are ready to quench Missoulians’ never-ending thirst for good ... more

Don’t Hang Up the Rod and Reel Just Yet…

By BRYCE MCLEAN & MATT DEVLIN. All we can say is don’t hang up the rod and reel on account of the calendar. When it comes to fly fishing in western Montana, you sort of can’t go wrong these days--just kind... more

Fundraiser for Friends of 2 Rivers

By JEN SLAYDEN. Please join Friends of 2 Rivers at Flathead Lake Brewing Company on Wednesday, September 21st from 5pm-11pm, to enjoy trivia, friendship, and cold, tasty beer!... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 9/17/11.... more

UM Grizzlies 17, Eastern Washington 14.

By MICK HOLIEN. For the second straight week, The Griz avenged one of last season’s four losses and in the process of beating a defending National Champion, almost eliminated any chance that Eastern Washingto... more

Coupon Clipping Tips and Techniques

By ERIN TURNER. I have to admit my “Coupon Queen” crown is slightly tarnished these days. Why? Because I hardly couponed this summer…. I know that sounds scandalous but in all honesty, it’s exactly w... more

Sleeping with the Enemy: Can a Marriage Survive Rooting for Division Rivals?

By BOB WIRE. The chatter of the exuberant bar full of NFL fans dropped to a murmur as we made our way through the Desperado last October -- she in her Tom Brady #12 jersey and blue New England Patriots hat, me ... more

Big Dipper Ice Cream: Great Cones…Oh Boy!

By MARGARET HORTON. I’m always on the lookout for great ice cream. It’s no surprise then, that I discovered Big Dipper during a visit to Missoula a few years ago. Now when we drive into town, I let who ever... more

More Zucchini?!?! – Try This Sweet Zucchini Relish Recipe

By KRISTEN LEE-CHARLSON. You know that you've reached your threshold with zucchini when you resort to making zucchini bread. There is only so much of this prolific garden wonder that one family or person can ea... more

Missoula Celebrates “Runner Friendly Community” Designation

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG. Most of us in who consider ourselves runners in Missoula already know that we are a runner friendly community, but last week those feelings were validated when the Road Runners Club of Amer... more

Contacto

By ELKE GOVERTSEN. My sister in law is from Panama and when she crosses the street with her little ones she says, “Contacto.” Contact. “Contacto.” It isn’t safe. I will protect you. We will go togethe... more

What’s Happening This Week

IT'S MAKE IT MISSOULA MONDAY. Here's what's happening the week of 9/12/11.... more

UM Grizzlies vs Cal Poly

By MICK HOLIEN. The two things I’ve come to understand in a lifetime of sports are: there’s as always much uncertainty waiting just around the corner and there are no givens.... more

Decorating for Fall on a Frugal Budget

By ERIN TURNER. I can’t help it! I’m a sucker for those lovely magazine covers which show a home or front porch decorated for fall. I want my home to exude the same warmth and coziness but I don’t want... more

River Fun and Kayaking in the Fall

by JASON SHREDER. Summer is almost over. That doesn’t mean you have to stop paddling or enjoying the river. This is actually one of my favorite times of the year to paddle. We have been kayaking, stand up pad... more

September Photo Caption Contest

Photo Caption Contest: Give us your best photo caption and you'll be entered into a drawing to win Monte Dolack posters. Enter to win by Sunday, Sept 11th 2011.... more

Missoula’s Mike Foote, the First American to Finish the 2011 Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc

By MIKE FOOTE. Missoula's Mike Foote recently ran the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc. One of 2300 runners to run the 108 mile race, Mike finished 11th overall with a time of about 24.5 hours and was the First Amer... more

2011 Maverick Brewfest Hits Caras Park on Friday

By RYAN NEWHOUSE. The 13th Annual Maverick Brewfest is kicking off at 4:00 p.m. on Friday September 9 at Caras Park. The event raises money for the Missoula Athletic Council, which has supported youth athletics... more

A Professionally Nice Horsewoman

By SUZANNE MILLER. Professionally nice is the term my husband uses to describe my good friend, Jean Larson. She is after all, an ordained minister and pastor. She is supposed to be nice.... more

Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs:
Tom Hilley – Sean Kelly’s and Stone of Accord

By BOB ZIMORINO. Chefs and Owners: Tom Hilley of Sean Kelly's and Stone of Accord. I met Tom Hilley as a real estate agent before I knew him as a restaurant owner. This interview was our first in depth conversa... more

This Time Last Year

By MARGARET HORTON. Just about this time last year I was busy trying not to address my empty nest and trying hard to concentrate on moving my son into his room in Aber Hall at UM.... more

UM Grizzlies vs Tennessee

By MICK HOLIEN. You’ve certainly heard of the lull before the storm. And how about the calm in the eye of the hurricane? The 95,000 fans at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville Saturday night got a taste of about eve... more

Blessing Bags of Love – for Missoula’s Homeless

By ERIN TURNER. When fall arrives, I inherently start to “nest”. I become a canning maniac. I also can’t help but think about those in our community who are homeless or needy.... more

Fall Fly Fishing in Western Montana

By BRYCE MCLEAN & MATT DEVLIN. What is the best time to fish in Montana? I hear this question all the time, and my answer is always the same: September and that will never change. ... more

Magic Words – for Great Dog Photos

By PAM VOTH. When I arrive at a dog’s home for a photo session, I’m greeted with lots of energy. So, how to get a dog to close her mouth? Say some magic words. ... more