Kalispell

**kimbercuddles** · 03-15-2007, 07:45 PM

What are your opinions of Kalispell or Missoula, Montana? I found Kalispell to be a very unique city with friendly people and a fair amount to do for a smaller city. The scenery was beautiful...when I was there, it was kind a of 'cowboy' type of city. Any opinions or views? Has it become expensive as previously predicted because of the Californians?

popeyeralph · 03-16-2007, 02:35 PM

Kalispell is starting the "California" boom. The fastest growing area of Montana. It is still a bit "cowboy" but fast becoming homogenized. Still not very good for wages and cost-of-living a bit above average. If you are looking for one of the last remaining beauties of the states it is not to be beaten and the Flathead valley is a jem. Has all the seasons and winters becoming very mild. Great natural resources for summer and winter sports. Property values going through the roof. Still affordable but not for long.

**MyAzi** · 03-16-2007, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popeyeralph

Kalispell is starting the "California" boom. The fastest growing area of Montana. It is still a bit "cowboy" but fast becoming homogenized. Still not very good for wages and cost-of-living a bit above average. If you are looking for one of the last remaining beauties of the states it is not to be beaten and the Flathead valley is a jem. Has all the seasons and winters becoming very mild. Great natural resources for summer and winter sports. Property values going through the roof. Still affordable but not for long.

Where exactly is Flathead Valley and what kind of summer sports? I am guessing winter are the typical... snowmobiling, skiing, skating.... Are there large bodies of water nearby for boating?

**Wyody** · 03-16-2007, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyAzi

Where exactly is Flathead Valley and what kind of summer sports? I am guessing winter are the typical... snowmobiling, skiing, skating.... Are there large bodies of water nearby for boating?

Flathead lake is a very large lake - nearly 30 miles long and over 7 miles wide.
Follow the link and take a peek.
Summer sports? Montana? Good luck!

http://www.gonorthwest.com/Montana/n...thead-Lake.htm

**MyAzi** · 03-16-2007, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wyody

Flathead lake is a very large lake - nearly 30 miles long and over 7 miles wide.
Follow the link and take a peek.
Summer sports? Montana? Good luck!

http://www.gonorthwest.com/Montana/n...thead-Lake.htm

Where are all the trees???!!!!!!!!

**Wyody** · 03-16-2007, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyAzi

Where are all the trees???!!!!!!!!

Not a lot of trees around most lakes in the Rockies unless you get up high in elevation to the "hike-in" lakes. The pic at the link shows a comparatively treed and breathtaking forest scene compared to many Rocky Mtn lakes. Rocky Mountain scenery is known more for it's magestic and awe-inspiring views than it's pastoral qualities.

popeyeralph · 03-16-2007, 11:11 PM

Flathead lake is the largest natural lake west of the Mississippi. On the east side from the Canadian border 100 miles south is 2 1/2 million acres of forest, National Park and wilderness with billions of trees. Near Kalispell is the "Jewel Basin" hiking area, considered one of the ten best in the world with 21 small pristine lakes. Look at a map of the area!

**kimbercuddles** · 03-17-2007, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popeyeralph

Kalispell is starting the "California" boom. The fastest growing area of Montana. It is still a bit "cowboy" but fast becoming homogenized. Still not very good for wages and cost-of-living a bit above average. If you are looking for one of the last remaining beauties of the states it is not to be beaten and the Flathead valley is a jem. Has all the seasons and winters becoming very mild. Great natural resources for summer and winter sports. Property values going through the roof. Still affordable but not for long.

Thanks for the updated info...I miss the area. Hoping to take a trip up that way within the next couple of years.

MTWY · 04-18-2007, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popeyeralph

Flathead lake is the largest natural lake west of the Mississippi. On the east side from the Canadian border 100 miles south is 2 1/2 million acres of forest, National Park and wilderness with billions of trees. Near Kalispell is the "Jewel Basin" hiking area, considered one of the ten best in the world with 21 small pristine lakes. Look at a map of the area!

Flathead lake is not a "natural" lake. It was formed when they built a dam on the Flathead River. It is the largest lake west of the Mississippi however.

popeyeralph · 05-06-2007, 06:43 PM

You're totally wrong alligator-breath! Flathead Lake is the largest "non-manmade" lake west of the Mississippi. The dam at the outlet at Polson was built in the early 1900's to generate power and has no effect on the lake other than to allow to keep it at "full pool". The dam you may be thinking of is "Hungry Horse", on the South fork of the Flathead River which is also a hydroelectric which formed Hungry Horse Reservoir. Go back to the research books.

**isabel** · 05-06-2007, 07:56 PM

Well man made or natural it is surprisingly bare of trees. I live where there are only oak trees and grass around the lakes. Not much shade for the 100+ in summer. How hot does this area get in the summer?

Alligator-breath...now that is a new one. My kids would like that:)

Izzy

popeyeralph · 05-14-2007, 08:19 PM

You're partially right about the trees. The West side is very dry and devoid of lots of vegetation except the northern 30 miles. The east side, however, get s lots of precipitation since the prevailing storm pattern, moving west to east, picks up moisture and deposits it there when it reaches the enormous mountain range which abuts. It is heavily forested the entire length. The east also has a very muich milder climate since the lake acts as a giant heat-sink. They grow some of the country's best sweet cherries there as a result. All in all there is no other place as beautiful in the lower 48.

Surprisingly, the temps are getting hotter as a result, I surmise, of global warming. It is very unusual for the temps to hit 100 degrees. 10 to 20 days above 90 is normal. Used to get 30-60 days subzero but now rarely. Going to be growing banans soon.

**kimbercuddles** · 05-15-2007, 09:20 PM

Just out of curiosity, do they still have Mooses Saloon in Kalispell? That was one of my favorite places to go to. Their pizza was fantastic.

03-15-2007, 07:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
kimbercuddles Cheery Chick Join Date: Jan 02nd, 2007 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 1,089	Kalispell What are your opinions of Kalispell or Missoula, Montana? I found Kalispell to be a very unique city with friendly people and a fair amount to do for a smaller city. The scenery was beautiful...when I was there, it was kind a of 'cowboy' type of city. Any opinions or views? Has it become expensive as previously predicted because of the Californians? __________________ Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find it out.

03-16-2007, 02:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
popeyeralph Newbie Join Date: Jan 24th, 2007 Location: Kalispell, Mt Posts: 13	Re: Kalispell Kalispell is starting the "California" boom. The fastest growing area of Montana. It is still a bit "cowboy" but fast becoming homogenized. Still not very good for wages and cost-of-living a bit above average. If you are looking for one of the last remaining beauties of the states it is not to be beaten and the Flathead valley is a jem. Has all the seasons and winters becoming very mild. Great natural resources for summer and winter sports. Property values going through the roof. Still affordable but not for long.

03-16-2007, 11:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
popeyeralph Newbie Join Date: Jan 24th, 2007 Location: Kalispell, Mt Posts: 13	Re: Kalispell Flathead lake is the largest natural lake west of the Mississippi. On the east side from the Canadian border 100 miles south is 2 1/2 million acres of forest, National Park and wilderness with billions of trees. Near Kalispell is the "Jewel Basin" hiking area, considered one of the ten best in the world with 21 small pristine lakes. Look at a map of the area!

05-06-2007, 06:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
popeyeralph Newbie Join Date: Jan 24th, 2007 Location: Kalispell, Mt Posts: 13	Re: Kalispell You're totally wrong alligator-breath! Flathead Lake is the largest "non-manmade" lake west of the Mississippi. The dam at the outlet at Polson was built in the early 1900's to generate power and has no effect on the lake other than to allow to keep it at "full pool". The dam you may be thinking of is "Hungry Horse", on the South fork of the Flathead River which is also a hydroelectric which formed Hungry Horse Reservoir. Go back to the research books.

05-06-2007, 07:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
isabel STAYING RIGHT HERE Join Date: Jan 17th, 2007 Location: Central CA Posts: 1,365	Re: Kalispell Well man made or natural it is surprisingly bare of trees. I live where there are only oak trees and grass around the lakes. Not much shade for the 100+ in summer. How hot does this area get in the summer? Alligator-breath...now that is a new one. My kids would like that:) Izzy __________________ I discuss, I do not debate:)

05-14-2007, 08:19 PM	#12 (permalink)
popeyeralph Newbie Join Date: Jan 24th, 2007 Location: Kalispell, Mt Posts: 13	Re: Kalispell You're partially right about the trees. The West side is very dry and devoid of lots of vegetation except the northern 30 miles. The east side, however, get s lots of precipitation since the prevailing storm pattern, moving west to east, picks up moisture and deposits it there when it reaches the enormous mountain range which abuts. It is heavily forested the entire length. The east also has a very muich milder climate since the lake acts as a giant heat-sink. They grow some of the country's best sweet cherries there as a result. All in all there is no other place as beautiful in the lower 48. Surprisingly, the temps are getting hotter as a result, I surmise, of global warming. It is very unusual for the temps to hit 100 degrees. 10 to 20 days above 90 is normal. Used to get 30-60 days subzero but now rarely. Going to be growing banans soon.

05-15-2007, 09:20 PM	#13 (permalink)
kimbercuddles Cheery Chick Join Date: Jan 02nd, 2007 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 1,089	Re: Kalispell Just out of curiosity, do they still have Mooses Saloon in Kalispell? That was one of my favorite places to go to. Their pizza was fantastic. __________________ Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find it out.