Bitterroot Valley, Western MontanaWritten by Tony Derricott
The Bitterroot Valley, approximately 96 miles long and 20 miles wide at mid-valley, was ancestral home of Salish (Flathead) Indian tribe long before white man ever set foot in valley. The Indians gathered and ate starchy root of succulent Bitterroot plant. The small pink blossoms of this plant prompted naming of Bitterroot River and surrounding mountains and earned further prominence by becoming Montana State Flower. The first white men came to valley on September 4, 1805 when Lewis & Clark expedition entered valley near Lost Trail Pass. Approaching present day location of Sula, expedition met a party of Salish Indians. Captain Clark wrote "These people received us friendly. I was first white man on water of this river." The expedition camped at Traveler's Rest at mouth of Lolo Creek before venturing over Bitterroot Mountain Range on their way to Pacific.In 1824 Hudson Bay Company sent a party under command of Alexander Ross into valley. In 1842 Father Pierre, Jean DeSmet and 5 associates entered valley at request of Salish Indians. The St. Mary's Mission and first church in Montana were built in Stevensville in 1845. Father Ravalli came to Mission in 1845. He was first doctor in area and county bears his name today. Fort Owen, first white settlement in Montana was established at Stevensville in 1850. The Catholic priests called river "St. Mary's". However, valley, river and mountain range are now named after Montana's state flower, Bitterroot. The flower has a fleshy root and provided a steady food supply for Indians long ago.
| | Top Ten Reasons To Pick A Vacation RentalWritten by David Leonhardt
Top Ten Reasons To Pick A Vacation Rental By David LeonhardtWe are planning a family trip for just a few days. That is my family, my brother's family, and my other brother's family. Our mother will be joining us, too. That makes four households, seven adults and six children all under three years old. Praise to my brave (foolish?) wife who has somehow volunteered to coordinate arrangements. Even reserving months in advance, we were unable to get four rooms adjoining at motel, all with right view and on right level. If we were going for longer, we would probably rent a house as we have done before. There are vacation rentals in almost every corner of world, but they are particularly common in high-tourist areas like Florida, California and Mediterranean countries. Here is my top ten list of why a family should pick a vacation rental (and specifically a vacation rental home): 1.Not toiling to find ideal, adjoining rooms. 2.Everybody gets privacy, without having to worry about where kids are. 3.You don't have to share common area with strangers, but you can still lounge around together.
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