THE MONTANA TOUR: FAT NUGS UNDER BIG SKIES PT.2
All Photos Courtesy of Author
Things to See and Explore
This area is surrounded by parks, lakes, rivers, and museums, but lovers of golf, ski’s, and theater will find plenty to do. Whitefish for ski’s and resorts, Big Fork for theater and shopping, and Kalispell for the parks. A walk worth taking is on the BigFork Nature Trail along the Swan River. I enjoyed the colorful rocks and frozen in late April City Beach in Whitefish tripped me out, but it was beautiful! And of course, Glacier National Park.
Vegan Food and Dining
I was in this area for a shorter period of time and so I didn’t have many meals to explore here but, I explored enough and found my new love: Non-Dairy Taro Milk Tea at Chi Cafe. Though full blown vegan restaurants were harder to come by, vegan options weren’t. I had no trouble creating basic vegan meals during my time there.
What I’ll remember about this drive for the rest of my life, was driving through West Glacier National Park and seeing what I think is the tallest mountain I’ve seen in my life, with a very pointed top. I was mesmerized by it and was sad when it was no longer in view. I thought I lost it but then I saw it as the road curved. It was the center of attention and in perfect view. I never felt so country, my mouth was wide open in shock and in love. When I looked at the very top of it, winter was making circles around it, it was like… an AI creation.
I have never seen winter; and what I mean is, sure I was in winter, could see the snow, and could feel the cold, but I’ve never seen it– the cold, until West Glacier. I also crossed the Continental Divide on this drive, drove through parts of East Glacier, and traveled through Blackfeet Country; home to North American Indian tribes: Siksika, the Blood, and the Piegan. I was in Great Falls too early to capture its true beauty; the waterfalls. Montana was still frozen during the tour. I booked my stay on the Missouri River and witnessed what many love about Montana, being able to see the sky in the water. Nature shows off here! Sunset in Great Falls, along the Missouri River is majestic! The sky turns gold, really showing off the reasons Montana is called the Treasure State.
The Cannabis Scene
I visited Helena for cannabis, and met up with Alex and Adam to tour and learn about Bloom Montana and Clear Cannabis Inc., and got to experience their compound; it’s like a mini neighborhood. Bloom is locally owned and is the largest cannabis provider in the state of Montana. Clear Cannabis Inc., also known as The Clear, and The Clear CBD, is a multi-state brand celebrating 10 years this year.
The compound was massive: cultivation, extraction, dispensary, and more. I learned so much from my visit there and more about their partnerships/collaborations with other brands. Even more, I enjoyed receiving the gift bag which included various Bloom edibles and a delicious wax, the Twax joint, and a couple Clear Cannabis brand cartridges. This was the happiest conversation in a conference room I’ve ever had, nothing like my corporate days. -My Bloom and Clear Cannabis favorites are: the Twax joint from Clear and the wax from Bloom.
Things to See and Explore
Rivers, falls, dams, museums, and wildlife refuge are amongst the top things to do and explore in this area. I spent all of my free time at the River’s Edge Trail on the Missouri River. But there’s also: Air Park and Electric City Water Park. In Helena, the gold camp during the Montana gold rush, visitors can explore: Gates of the Mountains, Mount Helena, Montana Blue Jewel Mine, and the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts.
Vegan Food and Dining
Montana gave me my first Brazilian dining experience at Five on Black. I had a delicious experience at Teriyaki Madness. There’s also lots of Italian, Mediterranean, and various pubs.
Bozeman
The drive from Helena to Bozeman was fairly quick and with an abundance of colorful rockies standing bold and vibrant. This was the drive that made me say “Montana is nature’s runway”. Less snow capped mountains filled with trees and other greenery, and much more reds, and purples, and oranges popping out of the big massive boulders. Rivers on one side, creeks on the other, it was gorgeous! I traveled through East Helena, Three Forks, and Belgrade to get to Bozeman, and arrived right at the start of Downtown’s Restaurant Week.
The Cannabis Scene
I spent a day with Alyssa at 710 Montana, a business owned by Stephanie who is loud and proud with posted messages that read: Buy Weed from Women. I visited the location in Bozeman, an old bar that was called the Scoop in Bozeman’s Barmuda Triangle; it’s so classy yet comfortable and inviting.
I visited their greenhouse and outdoor site which is home to 700+ plants, and 1 of 6 licensed outdoor grows in Montana. I also visited their indoor cultivation and extraction. Another compound filled with passionate people. This was my first time seeing how a cultivation facility is cleaned after harvest, getting things ready for planting the next round of 1200 plants totaling 24 strains. -My 710 Montana favorite: Stephanie, who is the kind of business owner that helps find/provides her employees with affordable housing when available.
Before moving on to the next location, Collective Elevation reached out to me and asked if I could stop in to pick up a welcome to Montana gift bag they put together for me. They gave me some living soil grown magic, so fire! My favorite was Ice Cream Cake.
Things to See and Explore
Sculptor Park was a great experience; it offers a beautiful quiet and scenic walk. The Bozeman Library is a gem worth visiting, especially the Labyrinth Circle. Bozeman is home to the Museum of the Rockies, American Computer and Robotics Museum, and just outside of Bozeman, Big Sky. I didn’t make it there but everyone talked about how beautiful it and the sights seen from the area are.
Vegan Food and Dining
Have you ever had curry fries? I love curry and I’m Caribbean born and raised so, it feels wild that it took Bozeman to show me what I was missing. Backyard Burgers got me together; the curry fries bang! I also feasted at Nova Cafe and Jam who have vegan menus and dishes that can be made vegan; so good!
Billings
Located just above Crow Reservation, about two hours north of Wyoming, and along the Yellowstone River is this industrial city with a vibe very different than I experienced in other parts; but equally enjoyed.
I couldn’t wait to get to my final stop on the tour- Billings! And not because I was over Montana, I love it there! Before I landed in Montana, and throughout my journey, those I’d tell what I’m doing in Montana said things like: “Montana is great but Billings is different”, or “Don’t go to Billings”, or “Billings isn’t as nice as the rest of Montana”. When I got to Billings, it was the warmest place of them all; 72 degrees and sunny and I instantly fell in love. How is that not nice and pretty? Billings was the nicest and prettiest to me for certain; warmed my Floridian blood right up (LOL)!
Frosteez Cannabis Company, freeze dried cannabis, infused ice cream, and the best trail mix I’ve had infused and not. I met with Kianna and Jason, Director of Operations and Director of Cultivation. There was something about Frosteez that made me want to ask them if I could have a work space anywhere under their roof.
Prior to landing in Montana, I was asked about my favorite flavors and plant milk base. When I arrived at Frosteez, I tasted a newly created vegan ice cream with coconut as the base. It was so good and made for me. I was in love. I think I was the final taste tester because after my many reactions, all saying: “this is so good!”; I was told that it’ll be for all vegans because Vee’s Vanilla is launching! -My Frosteez favorites are: Vee’s Vanilla and FrostDeez Nuts
I visited and met with Isabella and Candace at Elevated Montana and Twisted Biscuit. What a fierce duo of women in cannabis overseeing 10+ locations in Montana- the second largest cannabis provider in the state of Montana. Their energy is unmatched. I toured my very first commercial cannabis kitchen where the biggest variety of edibles I’ve seen are made. Cookies, brownies, muffins, and cannabis leaf shaped gummies to name a few. While spending time with them, I learned about Isabella’s work beyond Elevated, her passion for networking and community, and her fight and willingness to go to battle to keep cannabis legal and accessible. -My Elevated favorite is: Sour Diesel
In addition to this visit, Isabella and Candace took me to see and meet other cannabis dispensaries, cultivations, and business owners in the Billings area: MariMint who has a cool discount program that allows customers to save 10% if they shop while wearing MariMint merch; and family owned and operated Sensic Montana, who firmly believes in quality over everything.
Vegan Food and Dining
I had Indian cuisine from India Grill, Asian cuisine from Hokkaido, and smoothie bowls from Knockout Smoothie. Even in Billings, no trouble eating vegan.
Things to See and Explore
I was so happy about the heat that I mainly sat outside while smoking and writing (LOL). But there’s plenty to do in Billings: Yellowstone National Park, the Rim Rocks, Pictograph State Park, and just outside of Billings, Red Lodge.
Final Words
These big skies and massive mountains full of treasures have something for everyone. Though the weather wasn’t consistently pleasant, what locals say is in fact true; that within a 4 hour drive, you can enjoy all seasons. Montana gave me the appearance of spring–colorful landscapes with life returning to trees– while sitting in winter in 35 degree temps, looking out into a snow storm in the mountains, with so much white blowing around you can no longer see the mountains, while seeing a clear and flowing river just beneath you and no signs of ice in sight, with the sun shining down on your face feeling like summer.
Montana is beautiful and everyone should see it at least once! Go there, get lit, grab up some peace, connect with yourself, take in all of nature's beauty, and then- go home! The kind folks of Montana say that if we keep moving there, they have to keep building, and all these buildings take away from nature and the calmness of the land. They love that we love it there, come enjoy it, but don’t move there!
Montana and her amazing cannabis community, thank you so much for inviting me, guiding me, and getting me higher than the clouds! I’ll see you soon!
