What city epitomizes Montana? (Missoula, Bozeman: home, college, living in)

[iPwn]

I would say Bozeman does, it seems like a perfect mix of mountain Western Montana and the prairies of Eastern Montana.

[ElkHunter]

I would say it would have to be Kirby. A good mix of big business, ranching, and both the Cheyenne and Crow Indians.

[Rickers]

The state is so large and varied that I think it may defy epitomizing.

Here is a photo that seems to epitomize many of the small towns in Montana.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9a8nDInPVGE/TOLr0L4qtwI/AAAAAAAAHY4/Qg26QaZwpVE/s512/IMG_0313.JPG (broken link)

[MTSilvertip]

I think I understand the basic premise of you question, but the hypothosis is flawed as Montana exists to defy an easy catagory.

The eastern plains are a lot like the high desert of Colorado, or the badlands of Arizona's Mongohila (sp?) area. In the winter they may resemble the arctic tundra of Alaska, or perhaps Siberia.

The western edge is closer to what you might find in the Cascades of Washington State, (though colder and not as wet).

The area around Silver Bow has different geography than most of the rest of the state, while areas near Yellowstone or Cascade are lava flows that look a lot like John Day in Oregon.

The Central plains and island mountain chains could be in Colorado, or even Oklahoma.

As the land varies, so do the people. They are molded and sculpted by the elements where they live. The eskimo people who love to play in the cold and snow can be found around Bozeman, the people that live along the Upper Yellowstone are windburnt, but open and friendly. They adapt and accept living in a wind tunnel.

The Highline folks are open and welcoming, very clannish and proud of their history and families. They survive arctic conditions in the winter, isolation from the rest of the state and the world, have spectacular wildlife, and more mosquitos than a Florida swamp.

The eastern plains folk are gritty from eating dust most of the year, with a side dish of hard work. Good people, but no nonsense. They can drill an oil well, mine coal, or write stirring poetry or music.

The southern tier has mountains to the south to keep us from sliding into Wyoming. The highest contiguous land mass over 10,000 feet elevation in the lower 48. Good for stirring vistas, long views and lofty thoughts.
As it is some of the prettiest area in Montana it has a high concentration of out of staters that dilute the character of the area. Lots of writers and artists come to this area for inspiration.

Western Montana west of the divide is easier living with warmer weather, more rain, and fantastic beauty.

Places like Thompson Falls breed folks who are fiercely independent and enjoy solitude. Birthplace of the Militia of Montana, they are unequaled friends and implacable enemies.
On the other hand, Missoula, just down the road, is the home of the retread hippys from the 60s. The stoners, the eco-wackos. The disenfranchised and liberal college professors can find a home in that valley.

The center of the state is wide open farm ground with Mountains on all sides. Removed from the rest of the world, they exist much as their forefathers did 150 years ago. Fun loving, friendly, very independent, and very serious about their land and families.

The heat and cold extremes mean that you can have long times of isolation if you are blocked from traveling by snow, so you have to be able to survive the worst weather this side of the arctic circle, and be comfortable with isolation and developing friendships that bind like steel.
Summer brings hot winds and heat that is reminicent of the Mojave desert.

Cactus and pine trees grow side by side with wheat and cattails. Sagebrush flats that shelter the antelope and sage grouse also grow fantastic beef and sheep.
Black timber on the slopes of the mountains don a bridal veil of white during the winter that may make mini glaciers last all summer filling the rivers and streams giving us trout fishing that is the envy of the world, but water so cold you can freeze in it in July.

Trying to pigonhole Montana under one label is impossible beause it is a place that glories in being different.

Just as you can't say Kansas City is representative of the United States because it is about 1/2 way between New York and San Fransisco, you can't reasonably pick one Montana town and say "this is the median of the Montana people".

Politically, Montana is pretty conservative with the exception of a couple of towns.
Geographically, Montana is infinately diverse.
Meteorogically, we are a mix of Arizona, Nebraska, Alaska and Colorado, the Gobi Desert, and the Siberian Tiaga, and northern California.

We are shaped by the land, the weather and the struggle to survive in a sometimes hostile environment where you may have temps below -50 in the winter, sun so hot the forests erupt in flame in the summer, and throw in torrential rains and hurricane force winds for spice. The people, the animals, the trees rocks and mountains are all carved and shaped by the heat, the cold, the wind and seasonal freezing and thawing.
Possibly the primary atribute of the Montana people is their will to survive no matter what is thrown at us.

The towns pick up the flavor of the area and people. A Native of Cut Bank is similar to a Native of Alzada, but they still look at things differently and have different opinions on just about everything.
Eureka to Ekalaka, Mozby to Lima, we are all Montanan's, but besides that, the main similarity is the fact they are so different.

There is no typical Montana town, because there are no typical Montanan's.

Just my 2 cents.

[Montana Griz]

.............Well, as I have said before.............MTSilvertip, you truly do "have a way with words"! Great post!

As you probably have assumed, I am not writing this from my home in the Bitterroot............I confess.....I am a "Weather Wimp".....I'm dowm here in the Casa Grande area of AZ. At this point in my life, I figure I've earned the right to be "comfy" in the winter months and do what I love to do....Hunt Quail (i.e.: at least on those days when "this old body" is cooperating.) The "mind is always willing" but some of the "other parts" don't always cooperate. My Brittany (Rex) is always "ready to go". God love him.....he is a great traveling companion and has learned to respect the AZ cacti.

Have a safe and enjoyable Holiday Season. "Carpe Diem" ..... Griz

[ElkHunter]

Originally Posted by Montana Griz

.............Well, as I have said before.............MTSilvertip, you truly do "have a way with words"! Great post!

As you probably have assumed, I am not writing this from my home in the Bitterroot............I confess.....I am a "Weather Wimp".....I'm dowm here in the Casa Grande area of AZ. At this point in my life, I figure I've earned the right to be "comfy" in the winter months and do what I love to do....Hunt Quail (i.e.: at least on those days when "this old body" is cooperating.) The "mind is always willing" but some of the "other parts" don't always cooperate. My Brittany (Rex) is always "ready to go". God love him.....he is a great traveling companion and has learned to respect the AZ cacti.

Have a safe and enjoyable Holiday Season. "Carpe Diem" ..... Griz

Can't blame you. My dad used to say, as he was headed out the door for Apache Junction, "There comes a time when shoveling partly cloudy isn't fun."

Enjoy your time in the sunshine!

[Floridahater]

Excellent analysis of MT by MTSilvertip! Very enjoyable reading! After reading, I desire to relocate to MT more and more. I have always enjoyed traveling through all areas of the state, and truly there is a diversity of beauty as well as human perspectives in each geographic region.

[Mt-7]

Unbelievably that I cannot rep MTS
That was just fantastic and IMO spot on.

[MTSilvertip]

I wish to thank you all for your very kind words.

It is easy to write what is plain for me to see every day, all I do is put it on the screen.

Just like the state, this board is a compelation of the fine people who post here, I am just happy to be part of such a group.

Thank you
MTSilvertip