Virginia to Great Falls, MT (Billings, Conrad: home, live in, auction)

[viginiagirl]

Hi, so I'm soon moving to Great Falls and I am not quite sure what to expect. Any information anyone could give me would be wonderful. I enjoy the outdoors very much and look forward to being there, the downside is the weather, I'm very fine with the cold but it is in the 70's here and around 0 there currently but that will be ok. If you would just let me know about different things, parks, entertainment, food, areas of town... please I would appreciate it!

Thanks!

[grizzfan]

While Virginia it ain't, there is plenty of charm in Great Falls and nearby. GF used to be the largest city in Montana but Billings eclipsed it and population seems to be moving out. 80 years ago smelting was a large industry, but all of that, except the dam, have been demolished and torn down.

Malstrom AFB is adjacent to GF, but it's mission has suffered over the years and the current BHO administration will probably seek further cuts in our nuclear deterrence and defense represented there.

The Missouri River runs through GF and is dammed there providing summer water sports and year round fishing. Thre are lots of charming old Montana towns nearby like Fort Benton and Belt to name two. Native American lore is all over the area and the Blackfeet Reservation is a short drive as is the Rocky Mountain Front and Glacier National Park.

Plenty of agriculture in the area, wheat being king, so as those commodity markets go, so goes Great Falls.

The Belt Mountains are generally South. Plenty of history too with the Charles M Russell home and museum. Russell was an early Western artist and is famous among the natives. An annual auction is held in mid-March each year attracting Western artists from all over the nation. As well there is a new museum that celebrates the Lewis & Clark Expedition.

Great Falls is not my favorite Montana city, but you'll find plenty to do.

[Redraven]

The Montana State Fair is in Great Falls, and the fair grounds hosts several otherevents throughout the year, as well.
Other than that, I can't add much to what has already been said.
We lived in Great Falls (known as "Griffels" by some, I don't know why) for several years, still have kids and grandkids there. It is a nice enough community.
There are several smaller communities within easy commuting distance; Ft. Shaw, Simms, Sun River, Ulm, Vaughn, and others.

[rickers]

There are a few waterfowl breeding areas that are a bird watchers dream if you happen to be at the right place at the right time. Northwest of G.F. if you can find it, is Arod (Eyraud) Lake. It is one of the breeding areas for seagulls and white pelicans and the show can be quite a sight. If you boat near the breeding island be sure to bring an extra shirt and wear a hat or you'll be sorry !

[jarsmom]

What part of VA, I live in Stafford county, lived in MT for my whole life, spent some time in Great
Falls, it is on the praire. Hot in the summer dry and colder than crap with wind in the winter. -40
below factor in the wind chill and its even colder. I remember going to clinicals on some of those
mornings and my cassette player wouldnt even run. I wonder if Billy Idol knows what he sounds
like at 40 below????LOL Not the vegatation in that part of the state, it may seem very barren and
dry esp if you are used to VA. But there is tons of wide open space and you can see for miles and
miles. I always really liked Great Falls.

[jarsmom]

PS it is rumored that GF is windier than Chicago. From my experience, this is probably true.

[rickers]

I think Chicago got the name windy city because all the politicians were and still are, blowhards who are full of hot air ! Great falls deserves the name because of real wind. I'm an hour north of great falls in Conrad. We had 35 below and I had left my digital camera in my rig overnight by mistake. Big mistake the camera totally died. (I have a much better one now). I wanted to go to the store for some groceries and beer and my rig wouldn't start at all. Walking even for a block and a half in those temps is quite an experience to say the least.