Montana
You are all set for your trip to Montana. As you check in your luggage, the ticket agent announces that TSA just shut down all the screening machines. Unless you open all the digital locks, TSA will remain closed. Hurry, you have 30 minutes to save your trip. GO!
You are all set for your trip to Montana. As you check in your luggage, the ticket agent announces that TSA just shut down all the screening machines. Unless you open all the digital locks, TSA will remain closed. Hurry, you have 30 minutes to save your trip. GO!
This was the second digital breakout I created. Homage to my home state. I have lived over half of my life in Texas, but I will always be a Montanan at heart.
This was the second digital breakout I created. Homage to my home state. I have lived over half of my life in Texas, but I will always be a Montanan at heart.
Montana became the 41st state on November 8, 1889. The state's name is derived from the Spanish word montaña (mountain). Montana has two nicknames:"Big Sky Country" and "The Treasure State". Slogans include "Land of the Shining Mountains" and more recently "The Last Best Place".
Montana became the 41st state on November 8, 1889. The state's name is derived from the Spanish word montaña (mountain). Montana has two nicknames:"Big Sky Country" and "The Treasure State". Slogans include "Land of the Shining Mountains" and more recently "The Last Best Place".
Montana has a 545-mile (877 km) border with three Canadian provinces; the only state to do so. It also borders North Dakota and South Dakota to the east, Wyoming to the south, and Idaho to the west and southwest.
Montana has a 545-mile (877 km) border with three Canadian provinces; the only state to do so. It also borders North Dakota and South Dakota to the east, Wyoming to the south, and Idaho to the west and southwest.
Montana is ranked 4th in size, but 44th in population, and 48th in population density of the 50 states. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller mountain ranges are found throughout the rest of the state. The eastern half of Montana is characterized by western prairie terrain and badlands.
Montana is ranked 4th in size, but 44th in population, and 48th in population density of the 50 states. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller mountain ranges are found throughout the rest of the state. The eastern half of Montana is characterized by western prairie terrain and badlands.
Montana State Symbols
Montana State Symbols
The Montana state symbols are the best colors nature has to offer. Just look at the photographs to take it all in.
The Montana state symbols are the best colors nature has to offer. Just look at the photographs to take it all in.
The Montana state flower is the Bitterroot. This plant is native to western North America. The blooms are usually pink. This little flower gem was first collected by Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expedition, who is honored by the genus name: Lewisia.
The Montana state flower is the Bitterroot. This plant is native to western North America. The blooms are usually pink. This little flower gem was first collected by Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expedition, who is honored by the genus name: Lewisia.
Governor Ted Schwinden, on April 7, 1983, signed the bill into law designating the grizzly bear as the official Montana animal. He was wearing a grizzly bear cap at the time.
Governor Ted Schwinden, on April 7, 1983, signed the bill into law designating the grizzly bear as the official Montana animal. He was wearing a grizzly bear cap at the time.
You can always recognize a grizzly by the hump and deep rich brown color of their fur.
You can always recognize a grizzly by the hump and deep rich brown color of their fur.
The Ponderosa Pine is the state tree of Montana. It is a large coniferous pine (evergreen).
The Ponderosa Pine is the state tree of Montana. It is a large coniferous pine (evergreen).
The bark of the tree helps to distinguish it from other species.
The bark of the tree helps to distinguish it from other species.
Pinus ponderosa, can be called by several names: ponderosa pine, bull pine, blackjack pine, or western yellow-pine. This very large tree that is native to the western United States and Canada.
Pinus ponderosa, can be called by several names: ponderosa pine, bull pine, blackjack pine, or western yellow-pine. This very large tree that is native to the western United States and Canada.
Why is Montana often called the Big Sky Country? If you've ever been there, then you know that the blue sky seems to go on forever.
Why is Montana often called the Big Sky Country? If you've ever been there, then you know that the blue sky seems to go on forever.
It could be that the state is sparsely populated and uninterrupted by a lot of tall structures, like you see in many big cities.
It could be that the state is sparsely populated and uninterrupted by a lot of tall structures, like you see in many big cities.
I'm not sure why this is not the official nickname, but in my opinion it should be.
I'm not sure why this is not the official nickname, but in my opinion it should be.
Six states have named the Western Meadowlark their state bird. The adults have a yellow chest with a "V". This bird lives in the meadows, plains, prairies, and other open grasslands in western and central North America.
Six states have named the Western Meadowlark their state bird. The adults have a yellow chest with a "V". This bird lives in the meadows, plains, prairies, and other open grasslands in western and central North America.
It feeds mostly on insects, but will also eat seeds and berries.
It feeds mostly on insects, but will also eat seeds and berries.
Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, and Wyoming are the other states to name the Western Meadowlark their state bird.
Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, and Wyoming are the other states to name the Western Meadowlark their state bird.
If you visit the state, be sure and check out the itinerary provided for you. Visit the best sights in "The Last Best Place."
If you visit the state, be sure and check out the itinerary provided for you. Visit the best sights in "The Last Best Place."
Other Interesting Animal Facts
Other Interesting Animal Facts
Montana has the largest migratory elk herd in the nation. The state also boasts the largest breeding population of trumpeter swans in the lower United States.
Montana has the largest migratory elk herd in the nation. The state also boasts the largest breeding population of trumpeter swans in the lower United States.
This painting by Charlie Russell, titled "Charles M. Russell and His Friends" is part of the Montana Historical Society MacKay Collection in Helena, MT. It is an oil and was painted in 1922. The detail on the painting was used for the 1989 Montana Centennial U.S. postage stamp.
This painting by Charlie Russell, titled "Charles M. Russell and His Friends" is part of the Montana Historical Society MacKay Collection in Helena, MT. It is an oil and was painted in 1922. The detail on the painting was used for the 1989 Montana Centennial U.S. postage stamp.
Charles Marion Russell (March 19, 1864 – October 24, 1926)
Charles Marion Russell (March 19, 1864 – October 24, 1926)
Charlie Russell was an artist of the Old West. He painted 2,000 paintings of cowboys, Indians, and landscapes set in the Western US and in Alberta, Canada. He also crafted bronze sculptures, was a storyteller, and an author.
Charlie Russell was an artist of the Old West. He painted 2,000 paintings of cowboys, Indians, and landscapes set in the Western US and in Alberta, Canada. He also crafted bronze sculptures, was a storyteller, and an author.
The Charles M. Russell Museum Complex in Great Falls contains the world's largest collection of Russell's work, his original log-cabin studio, and his Great Falls home.
The Charles M. Russell Museum Complex in Great Falls contains the world's largest collection of Russell's work, his original log-cabin studio, and his Great Falls home.
In 1965, a high school was built on the north side of the Great Falls, Montana. It was named Charles M. Russell High School, in honor of Russell. Locals call this school, CMR.
In 1965, a high school was built on the north side of the Great Falls, Montana. It was named Charles M. Russell High School, in honor of Russell. Locals call this school, CMR.
