Why this Website Exists

    Years ago, I had a goal to hike every wild area in Montana (Montana: my lifelong home for over 50 years).   Since Montana is my joy, I've had little interest in hiking wild areas outside of the state.  Other places are interesting, but in Montana there are trailheads in every direction . . . and not more than a day's travel away.  Each one holds the promise of true adventure. 

    But, once I hiked the "Front," I sort of got stuck.  I abandoned my goal  -- and just kept coming back to the Front ... again ... and again ... and again. 

    I dearly appreciate this state and would regard myself as a Montana "junkie."  I am a voracious reader of what goes on in Montana.  I find that reading the "issues" is actually fun -- and Montana has lots and lots of issues. 

    The issues inspire, the Front inspires.  So now, I want to talk about it and write about it.

COMING HOME

    After completing my tour in Vietnam and getting  discharged from the Army (101st Airborne Division) in 1968, I longed to return to my favorite hunting areas in western Montana.  But, after talking to hunting buddies, we decided to hunt a new area -- the Front.  After trekking up Big George Gulch just north of Gibson Reservoir -- the experience set the longing to return.  This place was different.  What I saw, what I experienced, made me want to know and explore more. 

    As time passed on, I had the good fortune of living along the Front in the lovely community of Choteau, Montana in the late 1970s and into 1980s.

THE FRONT "ALLURES"

    The Front allures - no question about it.  It becomes a romance and sometimes (if you are fortunate), an obsession.  The Front is special, and I've spent a lot of time and effort learning all I can about this majestic landscape.  But, with all its amenities (wildlife, plant life, scenery, pure water, etc.), it is more than just landscape.  It grows on you ... and it becomes a part of your psyche.  Those of you that have visited the Front, or have had the good fortune of living on the Front, can probably share my enthusiasm -- that there is no other place like it in the world. 

    But, visitors of recent history are not the first to realize how special this place really is.  The repeated scenario of human connection to the Front has replayed itself over and over ... again ... and again ... and again -- for thousands of years.  The Front nourishes us in a thousand different ways -- whether we realize it or not.  Every visitor to the Front connects in a unique and special way -- often in competing ways.  Some see the need for preserving the Front, while others see the Front for commodity production.  Still others believe in "conserving" the Front.  Regardless, all have their own special connection.

RETURNING THE FAVORS

    But now it is OUR turn -- and privilege -- to return the favors the Front has bestowed upon us.  We, the so-called stewards of the land, are loving it to death -- unlike any other time in history.

    By stewardship, I mean those of us that have joint ownership by virtue of being rightful users of public land; and those with private ownership, with stewardship responsibilities to wisely and prudently use the mineral and surface estates as private citizens.  We are all rightful users, but lets use it in a sustainable way.

    We need to appreciate and reflect on the values we attribute the Front --and how the Front has benefited so many generations.  The Front is a monumental intact historical record of creation.  So lets be reverent as we respect and reflect on the choices we make about the Front . . . choices that extend far far into the future.

    It is my hope that visitors to this website will become more aware of some of the issues facing the Front; learn some of the precious history; become a little more informed about the infinite values we place on one of our nation's last best places.

    You may recall my slogan: "Where Mountains and Plains Merge as One . . . And a Grizzly Runs Through It."  Yep, this slogan is located on my home page  -- and it IS worth talking about . . . The Front and grizzlies are my two favorite outdoor topics.  Enjoy, and learn more about both from this website.

Soooooo . . . ??

    So . . . the purpose of this website is to INFORM.  It is just another way of informing those that have a passive (or rabid) interest in the Front.  "Information," "education," "outreach" -- call it whatever you like -- the purpose is to advocate an important place that needs attention.

•     So . . . Please enjoy the pictures and panoramas.  I hope to update them periodically.
•     Please enjoy the history and background (also with occasional updating).
•     Please examine my occasional perspectives -- for what they are worth.  I'm a centrist -- and approachable.
•     Let me welcome your insights and responses.  Contact me at my e-mail address at my home page.

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