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

Posts Tagged ‘Montana’

Organizing Gift Cards in a Binder

By ERIN TURNER - I love gift cards, but I hate when I unexpectedly find myself in a restaurant and realize I've left the gift card for that restaurant at home in the drawer. ... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of May 25

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- The coaching change in the Florida Gators men's basketball inspires two trivia related to UM Athletics.... more

Summer Season Begins in Glacier National Park

Memorial Day Weekend marks beginning of primary visitation season at national park.... more

Mowing the Grass to Make Some Lettuce

BY BOB WIRE- My son, Rusty is trying to get a part-time job for the summer. Rather than donating plasma or sperm, I suggested he try his hand at lawn mowing.... more

Oat Bran Muffins

By TRACY DARUE- Remember the oat bran craze back in the late 1980s? I was hooked on everything oat bran then, hearing that it was a superfood. And these muffins are gluten-free.... more

Quest for Land: My Advice for Permies and Homesteaders Part 2 of 3

By PAUL WHEATON - When it came to picking a piece of land, I have a powerful bias. I just love Missoula, Montana. Someday I want to be able to say that I grow a lemon tree, outdoors, in Montana.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | May 18

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of May 18

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- In September of 1993 the Griz debuted a new radio play-by-play voice, Mick Holien, and a new furry Mascot, Monte and the program really took off. ... more

Rage Quit? Throw a Fit? You Might Regret it.

By CHERY SABOL - A RESOUNDING RESIGNATION, afire with sturm und drang, can be momentarily satisfying, but damaging for years to come. ... more

Motivational Words for the Boys of Summer

BY BOB WIRE- To inspire my fellow denizens of the diamond, I’ve prepared a motivational speech that I’ll break out as soon as we hit our first slump. ... more

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Spring Workshops Offered by FWP

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' Becoming an Outdoors Woman Program (BOW) is sponsoring several workshops: Firearms Shooting, Muzzle Loading & Primitive Skills, and Nature Journaling.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | May 11

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of May 11

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- Former UM head coach Bobby Huack had hoped to be back at the helm of the Grizzlies this season, but at least he will get a chance to see the Griz on film.... more

Quest for Land: My Advice for Permies and Homesteaders Part 1 of 3

By PAUL WHEATON -Decades ago I was obsessed with gardening and outgrew my urban lot. I needed more space. Not only for my horticultural endeavors, but I needed to expand into all sorts of animals.... more

Honey Lime Broiled Salmon with Peanut Sauce

By MANDA HUDAK - Salmon season is underway and here in Montana we are very fortunate to have access to wild Pacific salmon. Here's my recipe for honey lime broiled Salmon with peanut sauce.... more

This Man’s Job is Breathtaking

BY BOB WIRE- I recently went in for a pulmonary function test. I’ve been having trouble breathing since, oh, 2008, and this spring it got pretty bad.... more

Lady Griz Hand Out Annual Awards, Kellie Cole-Rubel Named MVP

Kellie Rubel was named 2015 Most Valuable Player, and Montana’s other two seniors, Maggie Rickman and Carly Selvig, were both double award winners at this week's awards banquet.... more

UM Sports Trivia | Week of May 4

By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN- With their second win this season the MSU Bobcat football team will have won 54 games during the Presidency of Baraack Obama more than any other president in Bobcat history.... more

Cinco De Mayo: Fiesta Time or Jail Time?

The Missoula Police Department reminds anyone joining the fiesta that Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving and Missoula officers will be out in extra patrols for the Holiday.... more

Recipes to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

By ERIN TURNER - Despite not having a drop of Mexican heritage in my blood, I still love celebrating Cinco De Mayo. Here are 5 of my favorite Cinco de Mayo recipes.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | May 4

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

23rd Annual Garden City Brewfest Scheduled for Sat. May 2, in Caras Park

The 23rd annual Garden City BrewFest will take place Saturday, May 2, 2015 in Caras Park from noon to 8 pm and is the grand finale of the 4th annual Missoula Craft Beer Week.... more

Fewer Surplus Nonresident Elk and Deer Hunting Licenses Available

Beginning Monday, May 4, nonresident hunters can choose among Montana's surplus deer, elk and big game combination hunting licenses and purchase them online or the FWP office.... more

Downtown Pianos Debut Public Art Friday, May 1

Four Play It Missoula! community pianos will be painted by local artists in the public’s view during First Friday Gallery Night this Friday, May 1 from 5-8 pm in Downtown Missoula.... more

Amphibians in the Spring

By BRUCE AUCHLY - Among the many harbingers of spring are frogs peeping. Boreal frogs are heard everywhere in the spring and early summer. ... more

AARP’s RealPad vs. the iPad: My Senior Moment

BY BOB WIRE- My Aunt Byrdona emailed me the other day. "I want to get this tablet," she wrote. "What do you think?” I clicked the link and there it was, AARP's RealPad, a tablet for seniors.... more

Girls Empowerment Program Seeks Summer Participants

YWCA Missoula’s GUTS (Girls Using Their Strengths)! program is looking for girls age 9 – 18 to fill Summer Outdoor Adventure trips.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | April 27

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

Griz Track & Field: Griz Drop Both Duals to Bobcats

By JOEL CARLSON-The Montana track and field teams dropped both matchups to Montana State in the annual Griz-Cat Dual Saturday at Dornblaser Field in Missoula.... more

Big Sky Basketball Tournaments Heading to Reno

The men's and women's BSC postseason basketball tournaments are headed to Reno. The Big Sky and the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority announced a three-year agreement.... more

Griz Track & Field: Annual Griz-Cat Dual This Week at Donrblaser Field

By JOEL CARLSON-Montana will host the annual Griz-Cat Dual Fri. & Sat. at Dornblaser Field. The hammer throws begin Fri. afternoon at 3 p.m. The rest of the meet will take place Saturday.... more

Bee All You Can Bee

BY BOB WIRE- I was recently featured in a video called "Buggin' Out for the Butterfly House". In this follow-up blog I'll disccuss the green screen, lip synching, and flashing my grapes to the cast and crew.... more

Frugal and Delicious: Homemade Refried Beans

By ERIN TURNER - With Cinco de Mayo right around the corner, why not some try my recipe for simple, delicious, homemade refried beans. ... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | April 20

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

LUNAFEST Film Festival: Supporting Women Filmmakers and YWCA GUTS Program

The LUNAFEST Film Festival returns to the Wilma Theater, May 7, at 7pm. LUNAFEST Supports Women Filmmakers and the YWCA GUTS! Girls Leadership Program.... more

International Wildlife Film Festival April 18-25, 2015

Missoula plays host to the highly anticipated International Wildlife Film Festival (IWFF) from April 18-25 at Missoula’s newly restored Roxy Theater.... more

Buggin’ Out for the Butterfly House

BY BOB WIRE- When a friend from the Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium asked me if I'd be interested in helping them with a fund raising project, I said yes, on one condition....... more

Hanson Hired as Next Montana Assistant AD for Communications

Mike Hanson has been hired as the school’s new Assistant Athletic Director of Communications to replace Dave Guffey, who will retire after 37 years with the department.... more

Prepare for the Fair: Workshops Available for the April 21 Career Fair

Western Montana’s Largest Career Fair happens only once a year. With close to 100 employers looking for workers, it’s worth it to prepare now for the April 21 event.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | April 13

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

Missoula Community Theatre Closes Season With
Shrek The Musical

The Missoula Community Theatre is closing out the 2014-15 season with a blockbuster show for the whole family! Shrek The Musical runs May 1-3, 6-10 and 13-17.... more

Griz Conclude Spring Drills with Scrimmage in Helena Saturday, April 11

The UM Grizzly football team wraps up its 2015 spring drills this Saturday, April 11, in its annual Spring Game in Carroll College’s Nelson Stadium in Helena.... more

Plumbing? Let Me Get My Snorkel

BY BOB WIRE- Recently I decided to investigate our wobbly, leaky kitchen faucet, but not because I wanted to stop the leak that was soaking everything under the sink. ... more

How To Save Money While Stocking Your Pantry

By ERIN TURNER - People ask us all the time for advice on how to stock up on essential pantry items. They assume we have a Costco membership and buy everything in bulk.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | April 6

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more

Insane Inflatable 5K Race Coming to Missoula on May 2, 2015

The Insane Inflatable 5K, a dynamic fun run series made up of inflatable obstacles is coming to Missoula on May 2. A portion of proceeds to benefit Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Missoua.... more

March Madness: Fly Fishing in Missoula, Montana (VIDEO)

By TONY REINHARDT-To most folks March Madness is all about filling out your bracket and the build up to the Final Four. But it means something entirely different to the avid anglers here in Missoula.... more

Travelodge Blues

BY BOB WIRE- On a recent family outing to Seattle for my son's lacrosse match, I made the mistake of trying to save a few bucks on a hotel one night.... more

An Easter Tradition: Challah

Challah is a slightly sweet, very rich bread. Traditionally, the braided Sabbath bread of Judasim is a European celebratory loaf, symbolic of God's goodness and bounty.... more

This Week’s Arts & Culture Scene | March 30

Here's a look at what's happening this week in Missoula from music to dance, theatre to museum exhibits and more--brought to you by our friends at the Missoula Cultural Council.... more