Montana

[HubbaHubbaLife]

@dread Pirate Helena is really nice and a place we considered. My Daughter works for the state and has to make trips often to the Capital, so there is an outside chance we may revisit the area for an investment property. It seems like there are a lot of good places to buy in the area. The Missouri River is pretty damn remarkable, and the lakes seem equally as lovely in this area. I would be super careful about the wind. We don't like wind. For others, it may not be an issue, but you can just tell the area with wind because nothing grows more than 2 feet. I like the vibe in Helena.

Ennis is really nice if you want a small town, but the wind turned out to be more than we could handle. I really like to visit.

Missoula is OK, but it's a college town and a liberal arts school. At Least Bozeman is an engineering and Ag school.

Bozeman and Livingstone or the other areas around Bozeman are too expensive for our budget. We do love to visit and suggest aligning your trip with the summer "Wine Walk" that happens every month. Downtown Bozeman truly is an excellent experience.

Hamilton area, we liked and considered it, but we decided we wanted the lake more than a river. I like going down there to fish and explore; it is only a couple hours drive.

Kalispell is a non-starter for me. It's okay to visit Costco and shop, but I could not live there. Think Temecula, California, with snow.

We traveled all over and almost bought in Plains but settled on Polson. The Polson bay is shallow and warms up enough for a refreshing swim. You can boat all day and never leave Polson Bay if you want to stay in warm water. It's on the Rez, so it is unattractive to many, including me, at first, but now I like living on the Rez.

Construction and skilled trades are in high demand. As Angie said, forget about getting anyone in Summer. The days are very long, the weather is nice, and people don't put a lot of value in the hustle.

We obviously leave in winter, but it is primarily because of me. I love offroading and don't like the cold. Worse yet, the short days of winter are not good for me, and even in the south, I am a grumpy bastard. The compounded short days in Montana and cabin fever are not for me. That said, I really have come to appreciate the slow pace and friendly atmosphere. It is not for everyone, and I hope to hell it never changes.

Montana does not work well for people who are not handy. This is my opinion. You have to be totally cool without having conveniences at the ready. You must be able to perform basic tasks yourself because you will never find people to do it for you.

Oddly, I find North Idaho to be wholly unique when compared to Montana. I also love North Idaho, but it just seems different.

Excellent point regarding modern conveniences urban types are accustomed to... my lil surfer girl up there says they have to park their trucks an 8th of a mile away from house or they get snowed in for a week.

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

Ennis is a great little town with the Madison river and just south is the west side of Yellowstone with beautiful granite mountain views. I live about 100 mile south in Idaho and have been thru Ennis many times.If you don't want snow and cold in the winter then you don't get forests alpine lakes and the rocky mountain range that's just how it is.

She ran a tiny hotel in town before realtor gig.... tells me she loves raising her kids there... only negative she says is all the Cali types infiltrating the place with their douche attitudes... I notice the entire western states have that to say.

 

[Sportin' Wood]

Yippers! Took this 3 years ago and put it on Google Maps... View attachment 1333169
The distillery in Ennis is amazing too! Try this the next time you're up that way!
View attachment 1333170

Ha ha, Angie has to buy this stuff by the case. There is a little old-school dive bar in the middle of town that I like. The old guy that owns it hardly did much but shoot the shit with his regular customers. His daughter was down helping him out from Bozeman last we were there, and listening to them bitch at each other was entertaining. I love super small towns like Ennis; we just could not handle living there.

I aspire to become a driftboat guide and spend my golden years as an oarsman on some of the best rivers in the country, sharing them with my friends. I don't want to make money at it, just enough to pay the shuttle driver. I figure time spent with people sharing that experience would be enough payment.

Maybe I will get a good dog someday to paddle down the river and watch my wife fish. There are few things better than drifting down a scenic river with only the sound of Mother Nature. Well, maybe a dry fly strike by a big ole brown might be a cherry on top.

 

[JB in so cal]

 

[Ducksquasher]

@dread Pirate Helena is really nice and a place we considered. My Daughter works for the state and has to make trips often to the Capital, so there is an outside chance we may revisit the area for an investment property. It seems like there are a lot of good places to buy in the area. The Missouri River is pretty damn remarkable, and the lakes seem equally as lovely in this area. I would be super careful about the wind. We don't like wind. For others, it may not be an issue, but you can just tell the area with wind because nothing grows more than 2 feet. I like the vibe in Helena.

Ennis is really nice if you want a small town, but the wind turned out to be more than we could handle. I really like to visit.

Missoula is OK, but it's a college town and a liberal arts school. At Least Bozeman is an engineering and Ag school.

Bozeman and Livingstone or the other areas around Bozeman are too expensive for our budget. We do love to visit and suggest aligning your trip with the summer "Wine Walk" that happens every month. Downtown Bozeman truly is an excellent experience.

Hamilton area, we liked and considered it, but we decided we wanted the lake more than a river. I like going down there to fish and explore; it is only a couple hours drive.

Kalispell is a non-starter for me. It's okay to visit Costco and shop, but I could not live there. Think Temecula, California, with snow.

We traveled all over and almost bought in Plains but settled on Polson. The Polson bay is shallow and warms up enough for a refreshing swim. You can boat all day and never leave Polson Bay if you want to stay in warm water. It's on the Rez, so it is unattractive to many, including me, at first, but now I like living on the Rez.

Construction and skilled trades are in high demand. As Angie said, forget about getting anyone in Summer. The days are very long, the weather is nice, and people don't put a lot of value in the hustle.

We obviously leave in winter, but it is primarily because of me. I love offroading and don't like the cold. Worse yet, the short days of winter are not good for me, and even in the south, I am a grumpy bastard. The compounded short days in Montana and cabin fever are not for me. That said, I really have come to appreciate the slow pace and friendly atmosphere. It is not for everyone, and I hope to hell it never changes.

Montana does not work well for people who are not handy. This is my opinion. You have to be totally cool without having conveniences at the ready. You must be able to perform basic tasks yourself because you will never find people to do it for you.

Oddly, I find North Idaho to be wholly unique when compared to Montana. I also love North Idaho, but it just seems different.

How does the living on the rez thing work? Are the towns actually part of the rez?

 

[HTTP404]

I wouldn't move to the Bitterroot Valley.

 

[Andy B.]

View attachment 1333239

Hunt for Red October, great movie!

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

How about that steak house? McAllister's.

This demonstrates how small Ennis is... Thats the hotel my friend used to manage. Matter of fact I know her hubby started working at a cool whiskey distillery.... I bet thats it too. Small Small Small town. Thats what she loves about it coming from the craziness of OC & LA. Her kids are both 4H and she digs that they are healthy happy types unlike how she came up in Manhattan Beach culture.

 

[Sportin' Wood]

How does the living on the rez thing work? Are the towns actually part of the rez?

I'm not an expert on this subject, so take this with a grain of salt.
The city and county are on the Rez.

Here is the story as I know it:
Way back in the old west, after the reservation was established, the federal government broke the treaty and allowed homesteading so that a bridge could be built across the lower Flathead River. The tribe filed a suit and, decades later, prevailed. The tribe was able to claw back a lot of land as a result, and it intermixed the reservation lands with private property. To make things even more complex, the tribe seems to allow tribal members private ownership of tribal lands. Those lands can be converted out of the "Reservation" and sold to the general public. Our property is one of these types of deals where a tribal member developed the property and converted it off the reservation. The property is no longer tribal as a result, so technically, we don't live on the Rez, but in our case, it is all around us.

It gets even more complex in town because some streets are reservations and some are not.

The Confederate SKT (Tribe) is actually pretty intelligent and well-off. They own a lot of businesses, including the power company and the dam that generates the power. They do, however, struggle with typical tribal issues and seem to have two classes of members and some interracial marriages that further compound complexity. IMHO, the Tribal leadership is somewhat fair with the "settlers" regarding development and law in most cases. But they don't have to accept anything from the white devils and can do what they please. An example is building a new casino; they can do whatever they want but try to negotiate services like water and sewer rather than dump it in a cesspool. The old multi-generational farmers blame the tribe for everything and obviously don't get along. Conversations in the barbershop always seem to be anger at the tribe.

The southern half of Flathead Lake is managed by the tribe, and in my opinion, they do a better job than the state in the north. The tribe seems to be in tune with managing the fishery and controlling the population of non-native species that the Feds planted decades ago. However, the Tribe owns the power-generating dam, and as a result, the water level is controlled by the tribe. Last summer, the lake level was low, and the Settlers had a cow and were all sorts of pissed off because they couldn't dock their mega yachts on the fixed docks they have at the lake house they visit twice a year.

What I don't understand is how we can obtain fishing and hunting licenses at a discount rate because we live on the Rez. I'm not complaining about it, but our license is significantly less than other white devils who don't live on the rez. However, we don't get the same access as tribal members, and let me tell you, they have some really lovely spots that are hands-off for us White settlers.

I was really against buying on the south side of Flathead Lake because I was nervous about the Reservation, but Now I have come to appreciate that our area is underdeveloped as a result, and the north part of the lake is like a California Colony. The reservations seem to provide relief for the developers. I pray that the reservation never develops the land across the street from us because it is truly a gift to sit on our porch and take in the view.

It is not all roses and daisies. The tribe does have a significant crime problem. Some areas are not good. Pablo is a place we would not buy a house. There is a lot of drama about law enforcement on the reservation, but that is a whole different novel to share.

It helps that Both Angie and I have experience with living with Tribal members from our youth. Angie grew up in eastern Oregon near the Klamath Reservation, and I spent two summers as a middle schooler on the Navajo Reservation In Arizona. It might also help that Angie can pass for a Native American with her skin tone and hair type.

 

[Sportin' Wood]

This demonstrates how small Ennis is... Thats the hotel my friend used to manage. Matter of fact I know her hubby started working at a cool whiskey distillery.... I bet thats it too. Small Small Small town. Thats what she loves about it coming from the craziness of OC & LA. Her kids are both 4H and she digs that they are healthy happy types unlike how she came up in Manhattan Beach culture.

There are only about a dozen places a person could work in Ennis. If he is working in a distillery, it is Willey's. I'm pretty sure both fly shops are owned by the same guy because the kid working the counter was at each of them on different days.

For anyone considering a trip to Montana, Ennis should be on your route. I would stay 2-3 days minimum. Angie and I spent a month in Ennis and got bored about the last few days, mostly due to the nonstop wind.

 

[dave29]

Talk to @angiebaby she should have good details

You should go visit now so you get a feel for what the bad months look like. brrrrrrrr

Agree with Cole. You should definitely look in winter and summer. Try to find an area with as much sun exposure as possible. When we bought here in Colorado, we looked at property with a realtor 3 out of the 4 seasons. Glad we did. Some areas look great in summer and have about 3 hours of direct sunlight in the winter.

 

[Ducksquasher]

I'm not an expert on this subject, so take this with a grain of salt.
The city and county are on the Rez.

Here is the story as I know it:
Way back in the old west, after the reservation was established, the federal government broke the treaty and allowed homesteading so that a bridge could be built across the lower Flathead River. The tribe filed a suit and, decades later, prevailed. The tribe was able to claw back a lot of land as a result, and it intermixed the reservation lands with private property. To make things even more complex, the tribe seems to allow tribal members private ownership of tribal lands. Those lands can be converted out of the "Reservation" and sold to the general public. Our property is one of these types of deals where a tribal member developed the property and converted it off the reservation. The property is no longer tribal as a result, so technically, we don't live on the Rez, but in our case, it is all around us.

It gets even more complex in town because some streets are reservations and some are not.

The Confederate SKT (Tribe) is actually pretty intelligent and well-off. They own a lot of businesses, including the power company and the dam that generates the power. They do, however, struggle with typical tribal issues and seem to have two classes of members and some interracial marriages that further compound complexity. IMHO, the Tribal leadership is somewhat fair with the "settlers" regarding development and law in most cases. But they don't have to accept anything from the white devils and can do what they please. An example is building a new casino; they can do whatever they want but try to negotiate services like water and sewer rather than dump it in a cesspool. The old multi-generational farmers blame the tribe for everything and obviously don't get along. Conversations in the barbershop always seem to be anger at the tribe.

The southern half of Flathead Lake is managed by the tribe, and in my opinion, they do a better job than the state in the north. The tribe seems to be in tune with managing the fishery and controlling the population of non-native species that the Feds planted decades ago. However, the Tribe owns the power-generating dam, and as a result, the water level is controlled by the tribe. Last summer, the lake level was low, and the Settlers had a cow and were all sorts of pissed off because they couldn't dock their mega yachts on the fixed docks they have at the lake house they visit twice a year.

What I don't understand is how we can obtain fishing and hunting licenses at a discount rate because we live on the Rez. I'm not complaining about it, but our license is significantly less than other white devils who don't live on the rez. However, we don't get the same access as tribal members, and let me tell you, they have some really lovely spots that are hands-off for us White settlers.

I was really against buying on the south side of Flathead Lake because I was nervous about the Reservation, but Now I have come to appreciate that our area is underdeveloped as a result, and the north part of the lake is like a California Colony. The reservations seem to provide relief for the developers. I pray that the reservation never develops the land across the street from us because it is truly a gift to sit on our porch and take in the view.

It is not all roses and daisies. The tribe does have a significant crime problem. Some areas are not good. Pablo is a place we would not buy a house. There is a lot of drama about law enforcement on the reservation, but that is a whole different novel to share.

It helps that Both Angie and I have experience with living with Tribal members from our youth. Angie grew up in eastern Oregon near the Klamath Reservation, and I spent two summers as a middle schooler on the Navajo Reservation In Arizona. It might also help that Angie can pass for a Native American with her skin tone and hair type.

Thank you...that is so interesting. I had no idea it works that way there and kind of crazy how they allow some property to be converted and sold?

Obviously not as dramatic and no one is being killed but it's like the show "Yellowstone" with tensions with the rez and private land bordering each other? Crazy how the lake level is controlled by the tribe...that has to be a huge bargaining chip?

 

[Sportin' Wood]

Thank you...that is so interesting. I had no idea it works that way there and kind of crazy how they allow some property to be converted and sold?

Obviously not as dramatic and no one is being killed but it's like the show "Yellowstone" with tensions with the rez and private land bordering each other? Crazy how the lake level is controlled by the tribe...that has to be a huge bargaining chip?

Yeah, obviously, the Yellowstone TV show is way over the top, but some of the items they cover are based on reality.

The Casino in the show is halfway between Missoula and Flathead Lake; our new casino will be the largest in the state. The actual Y ranch is near Darby about two hours south of us.

Last summer, the lake level seemed more like they made a mistake about the outflow than a conspiracy, but the locals all like to complain.

I also find it interesting.

I think the biggest issues we have in the state are human trafficking and drug use. Young Women go missing at an alarming rate.

 

[angiebaby]

This demonstrates how small Ennis is... Thats the hotel my friend used to manage. Matter of fact I know her hubby started working at a cool whiskey distillery.... I bet thats it too. Small Small Small town. Thats what she loves about it coming from the craziness of OC & LA. Her kids are both 4H and she digs that they are healthy happy types unlike how she came up in Manhattan Beach culture.

McAllister Inn and the Bar & Grill are a little north of Ennis, in what used to be the town of McAllister, at the turnoff to the road that takes you to Ennis Lake. It's about 7-8 miles north of Ennis. I'm glad your friend is happy there. I can certainly see why. We did look at property in the area, it's just a little too small for us. It's much like the town where I grew up in Oregon. Very small grocery store, Family Market, I think. As a town of 750 pop, the nearest town larger is Bozeman, which is an hour. There are no towns in between. They do have a hospital, but are having problems finding housing for the staff, last I heard. Red Lodge has the same issue. Now THAT is a cool town also!

 

[Ducksquasher]

Yeah, obviously, the Yellowstone TV show is way over the top, but some of the items they cover are based on reality.

The Casino in the show is halfway between Missoula and Flathead Lake; our new casino will be the largest in the state. The actual Y ranch is near Darby about two hours south of us.

Last summer, the lake level seemed more like they made a mistake about the outflow than a conspiracy, but the locals all like to complain.

I also find it interesting.

I think the biggest issues we have in the state are human trafficking and drug use. Young Women go missing at an alarming rate.

Human trafficking surprises me...not the drug use.

 

[dread Pirate]

Agree with Cole. You should definitely look in winter and summer. Try to find an area with as much sun exposure as possible. When we bought here in Colorado, we looked at property with a realtor 3 out of the 4 seasons. Glad we did. Some areas look great in summer and have about 3 hours of direct sunlight in the winter.

Absolutely. My house here gets shaded out in December and doesn't get sun again until about now. My garage gets sun on the roof year round which is where my solar panels are.
I'd love to drop everything and just go check that place out in Helena, but I must adult for a bit. Would like to get out there in September and then go back in January or February during presidents week or something.

 

[caribbean20]

unlike how she came up in Manhattan Beach culture.

Too funny. We raised our kids and lived in Manhattan Beach for 15 years, on a walk street near the beach. Not sure exactly what you meant, but your friend should see the place now.

All the new arrivals are Investment Banker/Bond Trader/Entertainment exec types or pro athletes. I get back often to see friends and the place has changed even more in the last 7 years since we left, getting a bit more uppity.

 

[ChumpChange]

Human trafficking surprises me...not the drug use.

Mexican drug cartels are targeting America’s ‘last best place’

Mexican drug cartels have flooded Montana with fentanyl and meth – and also set up operations on Indian reservations, where the police is severely outnumbered.

www.yahoo.com

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

There are only about a dozen places a person could work in Ennis. If he is working in a distillery, it is Willey's. I'm pretty sure both fly shops are owned by the same guy because the kid working the counter was at each of them on different days.

For anyone considering a trip to Montana, Ennis should be on your route. I would stay 2-3 days minimum. Angie and I spent a month in Ennis and got bored about the last few days, mostly due to the nonstop wind.

Yep, so Ive heard... I Googles Ennis... 750 population .... My gals been there with hubby and kids maybe 7 years. She digs the samll town feel and horse life and brown eagles in front yard but my instinct is she'll be returning to beaches of OC once last kid goes to college. Not sure her fellas gonna make the cut. Tough to take a surfer girl to MT but she adapted after she saw kids healthy lifestyle. She grew up in Manhattan beach dysfunctions.

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

McAllister Inn and the Bar & Grill are a little north of Ennis, in what used to be the town of McAllister, at the turnoff to the road that takes you to Ennis Lake. It's about 7-8 miles north of Ennis. I'm glad your friend is happy there. I can certainly see why. We did look at property in the area, it's just a little too small for us. It's much like the town where I grew up in Oregon. Very small grocery store, Family Market, I think. As a town of 750 pop, the nearest town larger is Bozeman, which is an hour. There are no towns in between. They do have a hospital, but are having problems finding housing for the staff, last I heard. Red Lodge has the same issue. Now THAT is a cool town also!

Yup, she says its kinda a pass through town.... had ton of RV Cali types at her inn. She commented on how she can always spot the Cali folks at check in and at the bar. Duh. Now that she's a realtor learning the ropes she tells me theres a huge influx of out of state home buyers due to Yellowstone series.

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

Too funny. We raised our kids and lived in Manhattan Beach for 15 years, on a walk street near the beach. Not sure exactly what you meant, but your friend should see the place now.

All the new arrivals are Investment Banker/Bond Trader/Entertainment exec types or pro athletes. I get back often to see friends and the place has changed even more in the last 7 years since we left, getting a bit more uppity.

She moved into my place at 19 straight off Manhattan Beach childhood. She's 39 today. She loved growing up there but her folks were home builder types and her dad left for Utah developments around 2000 saying he didn't like the change he felt in a once cool sleepy town. I have no knowledge other than a couple friends who built on boardwalk and made that killing in explosion of values. All I got.

 

[Sportin' Wood]

Yep, so Ive heard... I Googles Ennis... 750 population .... My gals been there with hubby and kids maybe 7 years. She digs the samll town feel and horse life and brown eagles in front yard but my instinct is she'll be returning to beaches of OC once last kid goes to college. Not sure her fellas gonna make the cut. Tough to take a surfer girl to MT but she adapted after she saw kids healthy lifestyle. She grew up in Manhattan beach dysfunctions.

Pretty sure in Ennis, you don't lose your partner; you just lose your turn if things are not working out in a relationship.

 

[Sportin' Wood]

Disclaimer and suggestions for anyone who plans to visit Montana in the summer of 2024:

https://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpref/data/water/wcs/gis/maps/mt_swepctnormal_update.pdf
The snowpack is something you might keep an eye on.

Timing is everything when planning your trip. Keep in mind everyone else visiting is also going to try for the best weather.

Angie likes to joke that we only have about ten great weather weekends to play with, but at least they are twice as long due to the long days.

If the snowpack is light, we have two significant challenges:

Fires started by lightning strikes. Once fires start, mother nature seems to be the only way they are contained. The smoke can be really tough for some people, and the haze disrupts the views. If Canada is burning, we often get their smoke. Late summer seems the worst for fires and smoke, but they can start earlier depending on how much rain we get in June.

Hoot Owl Restrictions.
https://fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions/waterbody-closures
When the water in the rivers reaches 73 degrees, a hoot owl restriction is imposed to help protect our fisheries. These are important protections but can be an inconvenience if you have booked a guided trip.

If you plan on visiting Glacier National Park, you will need a reservation to enter the main park entrance near Kalispell. However, these can be difficult to obtain and disrupt your vacation plans. You don't need a pass if you drive to the east entrance. This makes for a long day, but IMHO, it is a much better experience as the east side of the park has a lot to offer, and you can return via the Going to the Sun Road, making a big loop rather than traveling the same stretch twice.

RV parks. I'm not sure how reservations are these days, but it has been challenging in the past. Plan early. That said, there are a bunch of state campgrounds that normally have spots midweek; in many cases, you can find them on weekends. They are primarily low-cost at about $5.00 a night, but they have size limits.

Bears. Don't screw around, and keep your camp clean. Buy some bear spray if you are comfortable packing heat as a last effort, or at least shoot a buddy in the leg so you can get away. Dogs are, really IMHO, the best partner in Bear Country, but you'll want a Dog that is disciplined not to give chase. Barking seems to be about all that is needed to turn a bear away.

Be patient. Life tends to move pretty slowly; people like to chat, but we drive like bats out of hell because the speed limit is a suggestion, and it is a long way between civilizations. That said, DON'T SPEED in the towns. I warn all of our visitors, and most go home with a gift tax for a speeding ticket. I always seem to get a call shortly after, saying I should have listened. Some towns are worse than others; we know which ones because of experience; it is best not to gamble and just slow down in towns.

Edit: If you are traveling with multiple cars at a slow pace, use the turnouts. At least put some space between your caravan so others can pass. At some point, the people stacked up behind you are going to make an unsafe pass. Not everyone is on vacation, and the scenic tour you are on may be a route to work or home for a local. We drive fast. 80MPH is the speed limit in rural areas, and many drive 90-100 miles per hour during the day.

Speed round.
May is a crap shoot for the weather
June is the wettest month
Spring runoff disrupts fishing
4th of July lasts a week; we have forklifts at many of the fireworks stands, and people use them.
August can see temps at 100 degrees, but typically, it does not last very long and hits late afternoon. It cools back down quickly at night.
Also, carry a jacket with you for potential passing rain, no matter the time of year.
September may be smokey
October is awesome

Shoulder season is a great time to visit if you don't mind a little weather.

I also have some opinions on the east side of the state; this review is for the west side. The whole state is really excellent to explore, which we love doing.

 

[charitycase]

Really cool reading this thread. I went to school in Hamilton.(5th thru Highschool) Graduated in 80. Planning a trip next year. The wife wants to see where I grew up. Again guys,thanx for the stories & pics.

 

[dread Pirate]

My daughter beat me to it! She's moving to Columbia Falls in May. Of her 3 jobs, the only one she didn't do from home finished up the end of the year, so she has no need to stay near Denver. She has decided to live full time in "The most beautiful place I have ever been" Pretty damn stoked for her!

 

[Sportin' Wood]

My daughter beat me to it! She's moving to Columbia Falls in May. Of her 3 jobs, the only one she didn't do from home finished up the end of the year, so she has no need to stay near Denver. She has decided to live full time in "The most beautiful place I have ever been" Pretty damn stoked for her!

Easy flights to Denver if she needs to visit. Have her pay attention to the railroad tracks when searching for a place to live. They are like spaghetti in that area. The flight pattern from the airport might also be a consideration.

Afternoon floats on the North Fork should be on her summer agenda.

 

[dread Pirate]

Easy flights to Denver if she needs to visit. Have her pay attention to the railroad tracks when searching for a place to live. They are like spaghetti in that area. The flight pattern from the airport might also be a consideration.

Afternoon floats on the North Fork should be on her summer agenda.

She's got a place in the new apartment complex they built. Figures save money with a studio and make sure she loves it before putting down roots. She lived in Chicago 4 blocks from the lake on the 4th floor for 5 years. She isn't worried about the cold at all.

The Denver gig is done. Although she still does a little bit of work for the firm it's all online. She is already looking at river kayaks for summer.