Missoula Off The Beaten Path

Take a side trip from Missoula to enjoy the immense beauty this area has to offer.Travel the east side of Flathead Lake (85 miles N of Msla)& drive thru the home of the famous Flathead Cherry.Stop at O'Farrell's orchard (mm19) & pick your own.Check in at Teresa's house on Flathead Lake (mm19.5)(406)546-0404 & drop your bags.Kick back on one of the 3 decks to enjoy a view of Flathead Lake that can't be beat or enjoy a soak in the outdoor hot-tub.Bring your boat & experience the lake first hand.Launch from this property & enjoy world class fishing,water-sports or dock-side dining at several establishments in nearby Wood's Bay.Continue your explorations w/ an evening excursion into the quaint village of Bigfork & enjoy a fantastic meal at La Provence on Bridge St.A French-Med. cuisine prepared by Chef Marc Guizol.Enjoy a play at the Bigfork Theater,returning to Teresa's for an evening campfire on the beach.Day 2:Travel north & then west from Teresa's to Somers and visit The Flathead Gallery.Owner,Donald Baughman has a collection of vintage & contemporary art & furniture from the Northwest & Montana that is well worth the stop.Native American bead-work,photos & paintings by well known western artists are for sale here.After a day of exploring,return to Bigfork for the best burger in town.The Garden's owner,"Mister"is generally on hand to dish out a warm welcome. Most evenings in summer will find everyone dancing to the tunes of local bands in the outdoor garden.Day 3:Glacier National Park.Many roads lead to Glacier,but take the back road (Hywy 83) along the base of the Swan mountains & enter Glacier from the west side. Glacier is about 1.5 hr's from Teresa's.