Store Number Four: Missoula Montana July 26, 2017 15:56

After a long grueling day of hard work getting the store ready, we decided to hit the town.
After only a few hours out and about downtown Missoula, we knew that it was "the place to be". We came to the exciting realization that Missoula was very alive - a bustling and city-like vibe, surrounded by rural and mountainous beauty. A stunning and interesting dynamic, to say the least.

And just like that, on July 22nd 2017, we opened store number four : Missoula, Montana. 

The last few weeks have been busy! Busy bringing product, making shelves and setting the store up for opening. 

I Our counter from the very beginning I 

I Owners Sean & Melissa getting the store ready to go! I  

I Our Life Is Better series is one of our favorite ways to show what we love about the outdoors! I 

I The Montana Scene carries sizes for Infants and Kids all the way through adults! Our Unisex hoodies are cozy and comfy for nights by the fire. I 

It's hard to believe that just nine months ago we opened our third store in Bozeman. It is amazing to think of the year(s) that we have had. We could not have had the success we have had without you - our loyal customers. Those who come into our stores and check us out on Facebook, Instagram and website. Thank you. Thank you for your continued support and loyalty. 

The Montana Scene story continues to grow and evolve, but the mission of providing people the best place to find products to show their love of adventures and Montana remains the same. Melissa Bonnet, the CEO and owner of The Montana Scene stated, "Montana is bursting with entrepreneurial, passionate people and great new businesses. We are so honored to be a part of that. We are strong believers that a rising tide lifts all boats and we would rather cheer on our fellow business owners than butt heads. We're all in this together." 

We are so excited to be a part of the Missoula community! We love seeing all of the Missoula events happening and we can't wait to be a part of these and host some events of our own :) To keep up with our events check us out at The Montana Scene Missoula Facebook. 

In honor of our store opening we are celebrating with a GIVEAWAY! We are giving away three $100 gift cards that can be used at any of our locations or online. To Enter: 

1. Must be a follower of @themontanascene on Instagram 

2. Tag 3 friends 

Winners will be announced 7/30 

Come check us out in Missoula Monday - Saturday 10 am - 7 pm and Sunday Noon - 4 pm. You can find us at 101 E Broadway! 

I The Montana Scene Missoula 101 E Broadway Missoula, MT I 

 

Life is Better Adventure Series - Mountains July 12, 2017 14:47

by Kimberly Weaver

To drive from one end of Montana to the other you will drive 630 miles. That is the same distance to go from Portland, Maine to Richmond, Virginia - and on that trip you pass through ten different states.

It is no surprise that Montana’s landscape varies around the state. Today we are focusing primarily on the west half of the state and exploring the mountains of Montana. People come from all over the world to explore the mountains of Montana. It was recently reported by The Daily Inter Lake in Kalispell, MT that the June visitors for Glacier National Park were up 28% to last year with a total of 341,317 visitors. Glacier is just one of the mountainous areas you can explore in our great state, but let’s start there.

1.The Lewis Range in Glacier National Park runs North to South on the Eastern side of the continental divide. Exploring this side of the park is my personal favorite. There are so many things to do and places to explore. Some of my favorite hikes are Grinnell Glacier (Grinnell Lake if you are looking for something a little shorter) and Iceberg Lake (where you get views of Iceberg Peak). Be sure to check out Many Glacier hotel even just to look around and grab a snack! I once sat in the living room of the Many Glacier hotel while it poured rain and watched a Grizzly hang out on the mountain out the window for hours. 

I On Mount Grinnell on the way to Grinnell Glacier. How did I stay warm and show my love of the mountains? Life is Better in the Mountains Thermal I 

I Hike to Grinnell Lake Pictured: Life is Better in the Mountains Tank I 

Two Medicine also has some amazing peaks in the Lewis Range. Last year I was able to go on a day trip through the Hockaday Museum of Art with artist Nancy Cawdrey and watch her paint for a plein air event. Keep an eye for other unique adventures like this into the mountains with the Hockaday and other organizations in the valley. 

I Nancy Cawdrey painting Sinopah Mountain from the Lewis Range I

2.The Livingston Range runs north to south and is in the northwestern areas of the park. Polebridge Mercantile is a popular destination in the Livingston Range (and totally worth it!). My recommendation is filling up on baked goods at the Mercantile and continue going north and go up and over through the….

3.Whitefish Range. I’m partial to this area because this range goes through Red Meadow Forest which was the area my grandpa watched over when he was in the forest service. It is a great place to go for a drive (on a very narrow road- go slow!) and see some incredible views. Recently my siblings and I went up in the Whitefish Range with my dad for Father’s Day and did some target shooting (just make sure you do it safely and in an appropriate space of course - there are signs to designate appropriate areas).

I A glimpse of Red Meadow Forest on the Whitefish Range I

4. These days I do a lot of traveling between my home in Kalispell and what I like to think of as my second home in Missoula and the best part of that trip is the Mission Range. I will never forget bringing a friend of mine to Montana for the first time and driving past the Missions. She continued to stare at them in awe and repeat over and over how incredible they were. And they are. That was such a nice moment and one that I think of often as I do that drive over and over - I hope I never forget to take a moment to look at those mountains in awe. 

Be sure to check out the National Bison Range if you haven't before. It is a great way to spend an afternoon and look at the Mission's all day. You can stock up on snacks at the Mission General Store in St. Ignatius! 

5. Lastly, let’s talk about the Cabinet Mountains. The cabinet mountains are to put it simply... incredible. There is not a time of year that these mountains don’t look amazing. There are many possible adventures in these mountains! You can check out Kootenai Falls (part of The Revenant was shot there!) and walk across the swinging bridge. It took me three times to actually be able to cross the bridge, but once you do it is well worth it.

I The Swinging Bridge in the Cabinet Mountains is a must see! I 

I would also recommend driving up through the mountains to Noxon and down to Thompson Falls and Plains. There are many great treasures including The Shire of Montana - you can actually stay there! -  Minnie’s Cafe - the breakfasts are wonderful! - and the Sanders County Fair - people come from all over - check it out at the end of August this year!

Looking at our Montana map we can see that Mountains do cover the western side of our state. These are just a few of the gems that I’ve found on my adventures! 

I Montana Map Framed Wooden Sign by The Montana Scene I 

What are some of your favorite mountain ranges?! What are some of the great hidden gems you have found around are state? Share your adventures with us using #themontanascene 

I @samanathahikes in our Life is Better in the Mountains Plaid Trucker I 

Life is Better Adventure Series - Lake July 05, 2017 13:34

by Celeste Heinz 

Lakes are my happy place! Being out on the water refreshes me and makes my soul happy. Bozeman, MT isn’t necessarily known as a water lovers paradise, but after living here for a while, I’ve discovered some awesome lakes in the area to spend my summer days. I’ve gotten pretty into stand up paddle boarding since moving to Bozeman--it’s been a fun way for me to get out on the lakes and explore my new home!

1. Hyalite Reservoir: I love Hyalite mostly for its accessibility. Nestled in the mountains about 20 minutes outside of town, it’s easy to get to for an evening paddle board sesh after work. The reservoir is surrounded by mountains on all sides, making for a picturesque paddle!

   

2. Ennis Lake: This lake is a bit of a trek from Bozeman, but it’s worth it! Ennis Lake is rockin’ in the summer with tons of other lake lovers and is a fun day trip from Bozeman. It’s also fun to spend a morning relaxing out on the water and then cruise into Ennis for a drink at Willie’s Distillery in the afternoon.

3. Fairy Lake: This is one of the most beautiful lakes I’ve ever seen! With crystal clear turquoise waters, Fairy Lake looks like it’s come straight out of a magazine. The water is super chilly, but it’s an awesome little body of water to get out on. There’s a rope swing on one end of the lake and some fun hiking trails in the area as well. Fairy Lake gets my vote for most beautiful lake in the Bozeman area.

    

4. Hebgen Lake: Hebgen is the most sizable lake on this list. While it is a bit of a drive from Bozeman (about an hour and a half), it is totally worth it! I always make sure I bring my tent and turn my trip to Hebgen into a weekend get away. The lake is busy, like Ennis Lake, but it’s a blast for a day of boating! Paddle boarding here is fun, but I opt to head out for a SUP sesh earlier in the morning to avoid the speed boats. Later in the afternoon, I love to head out for a wake surfing session and catch the sunset on the water.

I Click here to see our Life is Better at the Lake Burnout Jersey I 

5. Cliff and Wade Lakes: These two lakes are a package deal. The crystal clear waters are located side by side with some epic campsites in between. Camping at Cliff and Wade has been one of my favorite weekends so far of summer 2017! These lakes are the furthest from Bozeman on my list, but they’re my top choice for a weekend of camping and lake life! 

What lakes are you adventuring to this summer? We would love to hear from you and see what beauty you find around Montana. Use #themontanascene and #lifeisbetteradventureseries to show us your adventures! 

Life is Better Adventure Series - Trail June 27, 2017 10:56

by: Laura Ponder 

Welcome to the Life is Better Adventure Series! As mentioned in our last post, we will be teaming up with adventurers from around the state to highlight the awesome apparel that makes up The Montana Scene's Life is Better series.

We begin our exciting journey, ironically, on the trail! Because, well, life IS better on the trail!

Montana has tens of thousands of incredible trails, ranging from the mountainous terrains in the West (Missoula & Whitefish), to the rolling hills in Central Montana (Lewistown), to the grassy flat lands of the East (Glendive). Making Montana a rich and vast place for all different types of hiking adventures.

My personal favorite terrain is, of course, mountainous. Growing up in the Flathead Valley I gained an intense fascination with the mountains, as I lived at the very base of the Swan Range. I'd constantly look up at those beautiful peaks in admiration, wondering what kind of magic was happening up there. 

But the real deal were those sharp snow packed peaks to the north of me: The crown of the continent, Glacier National Park. A place that millions of people all around the world have on their bucket list. Which makes me feel more than blessed, as I make the mere 40 minute drive to get there.

Which brings me to my all time favorite Montana hike, Avalanche Lake Trail, Glacier National Park.

| Pictured: Life is Better on the Trail Light-Weight Knit Cowl Cement |

Avalanche Lake Trail is 4.5 miles round trip, making it accessible and enjoyable for the whole family. Right before the trail head, you'll find Trail of the Cedars, which is also a sight to be seen, but we'll leave that for another day. As you start your hike to Avalanche Lake, you'll trudge up a large rocky stepping stone path, and once you get to the top you'll hear the rushing water of the Avalanche Creek Gorge. Keep on hiking along this stunning creek,  through the truly magical forested trail for 2.25 more miles, and just when you think you've seen all the beauty there is to be seen, there she'll be in all her glory : Avalanche Lake.


I played favorites for The Montana Scene long before I ever knew what they were all about, and as I learned more details about this amazing family owned company, I fell more and more in love.
There are multiple reasons why it's my favorite place to buy a Montana shirt, such as the fact that all of their clothing is printed in Montana! And you can't ignore their vast variety of items to choose from; long sleeves, raglans, men's tees, hats and fleeces. They truly have something for everyone.

But the most important aspect in my opinion is the functionality of The Montana Scene's apparel. There's nothing I love more than comfortably enjoying the outdoors while also looking fashionable. And nothing beats supporting a local business, either.

I think I speak for us all when I say that life truly is better on the trail. There's a special freedom that comes with getting out into the forest and exploring.

And to get you going on whatever trails you may be taking this beautiful Montana summer, we wanted to offer 20% off all Life is Better on the Trail items. Use code LIBTRAIL at checkout! Sale expires 7/5.
Happy shopping, and even happier hiking!

Life is Better Adventure Series - Intro June 26, 2017 10:15

When we say Life is Better on the trail, on a bicycle, in a tent, in a camper, on the river, at the lake, or in Montana what do we mean?

Our mission at The Montana Scene is to be your preferred choice for purchasing all things Montana. We do this by sharing our passion and admiration for Montana and it’s adventurous atmosphere.

Our Life is Better series came straight from that mission. We thought about the outdoors and what were things that we loved and made our lives better!

Over the next several weeks we are going to explore all the ways and reasons why Life is Better when you opt outside for your adventures. We are so excited to share with you some of our adventures and adventures of others who have the same mission we do.

Keep following us on social and this blog for all of the great adventuring updates.

First up, we will be talking about why…

Life is Better On The Trail

Optimizing Travel Time April 28, 2017 14:40

We at The Montana Scene love the outdoors. We try to exude our passion for exploring and adventure through our brand.
While we know that people will come to our page in search of outdoor product, we felt like offering a little bit more in terms of content.
We wanted to create an experience; where people could not only browse for great Montana Outdoor attire - but also read about real-life outdoor adventures.
So here marks the beginning of an intriguing series of real Montana adventurers, sharing their advice and explorations.

Optimizing Travel Time

by Kristina Parmelee & Drew Silvers

With limited time on the majority of vacations, it’s important to realize that you are a time traveler. Traveling 60 minutes per hour. And your vacation will run out.

Time: the precious and valued foundation of our travels, yet the hindrance battling between your mind and clock running out. Moments are valuable and special moments are irreplaceable. Be present and be patient.

Can’t everyone relate to the excitement and anticipation of vacation before it begins, and then immediately, somehow, suddenly, you blink an eye just once and you’ve teleported like a brick back to your bedroom pulling a 5 foot pile of laundry from your checked bag? (Not to mention the inevitable explosion of toiletries in every bathroom bag ever…. Ladies, can I get a holla? Buzz kill.)

As spontaneous as Drew and I like to think we are, it’s important to emphasize organization of some nature outlining the entire system of dates, destination(s), activities and transportation. An outline is crucial because yes, unfortunately we do have a place to be and it is called WORK when we return.

The ultimate idea here is to realistically accommodate for limited time.

Dates

It is important to establish the time frame of your vacation. Friends, there is nothing worse or more embarrassing than undoubtedly trusting your instinct thinking there are 5 days left of vacation when in fact, there are only 3. Based on unfortunate circumstances, Drew and I highly discourage guessing the what day it is willy-nilly. However, we do encourage mentally noting the transportation dates in their own separate category aside from the dates which do not require transit. First and far most, choose the primary transportation dates of departure and arrival. Secondly, acknowledge the days of free time in between-we call these “fun days”. When counting the fun days, don’t bother including the dates of transportation to best optimize planned activities.

Destinations

Drew and I typically choose a broad region where we will spend our vacation. The goal is to effectively narrow your options to ensure your time will be well spent. Example regions of our recent trips would include Southern Utah, Northwest Montana and the island of Oahu. First, choose a region. Within the region, it’s important to do a significant amount of research to eventually mark the end goal at precise locations. After the region, choose an town/city/park/rec area where you will spend the majority of your travels.

Less popular recreational areas definitely require a lengthier process of where actual sites may be. You would be surprised how often the handy Google Maps deems itself useless in the wilderness. We love Google Maps, but we also find great joy in getting lost as  we’re twirling a map around side to side until we figure out which way to go.  In this case, trail maps as well as area maps of rec areas are particularly beneficial when cell service is limited. Our Garmin especially comes in handy with the topographical features with a surprising amount of trail locations on most US Forest Service maps (Those of you who don’t know, a Garmin GPS will show current location regardless of cellular data).

*Important note: Many back country areas (especially in National Parks) require a back country permit. Permits can be applied for online as well as first come-first serve basis. People do get fined when they don’t follow the rules, so be sure to follow up with regulations of your area.

Main Event

There have been plenty of times when Drew and I picked out a main event and it ended up being the lamest experience. On the flip side, our thought to be less-exciting plans have been completely under rated and shown to be some of the most magical places we’ve been. An example would be Lower Calf Creek Falls pictured below. Clearly under rated.

The main event quite frequently is predetermined before choosing dates and is often the center of the vacation. On the contrary, Drew and I decide we are ready for vacation first, choose dates and then decide where we want to go. I personally prefer to have the main event in the middle of our vacation. This way we can torture ourselves with the itching anticipation prior to the event as well as admire the post-wow-effect for the rest of the trip. We believe it could be helpful to gear the main event as the highlight of your vacation providing the overall purpose to your trip.

Transportation

Transportation has to be the most irritating part of trip planning. The real restraint here is time.
“This $150 flight is extremely cheap, but wait, it takes 18 hours to get from Montana to California? Hard pass. May as well drive.”

The struggle is real. The important question here is: How valuable is your time? Really, your bank account is going to reflect the amount you can spend on quick flights. In our opinion, if you can responsibly spare the extra cash to purchase a convenient flight, DO IT. Although it was not ideal, Drew and I purchased a red eye flight with Frontier Airlines from Denver to Miami (we arrived at 6:00 a.m.). Sleeping on an airplane really is just the worst, but the point is we gained an entire day by sacrificing a bed for a crowded window seat for the night.

If an extra $50-$100 on a convenient flight is just simply going to break the bank, we recommend reading Our Key to Affordable Travels and re-evaluate your situation. When it comes to flying, it is important to rule out all of your options. It’s easy to submit departing and arrival destinations via Kayak, Expedia or Priceline, this way it is auto generated for you with often change in airlines on the route with the “cheapest” options (I would not recommend purchasing directly from these websites, but rather using them as a tool for your itinerary). We encourage you to consider using the actual airline’s website to guarantee your reservation. Once you feel proficient purchasing simple round trip flying, try advancing your search to purchasing one way tickets with multiple airlines to get to your destinations. Example: Drew and I flew from Bozeman —-> Miami —-> Nashville —-> Home. We spent $600 total on flights:

Tickets purchased:
Bozeman- Miami: One-way Frontier
Miami -Nashville: One-way Delta
Nashville – Bozeman: One-way Frontier

GO

In reality, flexibility is key as there can be several inconveniences on any given vacation. A definitive outline is incredibly helpful, however the thrill of “winging it” is always an interesting choice for the invincible travelers.

With or without a guideline your travels will fall into place. Drew and I love spontaneity,  but we encourage you to make responsible and logical decisions. Sculpt the fun days outside of the travel days and be smart with your transportation and self internal calendar. Don’t forget to pick a main event for ever-lasting memories and stories.

Blog post written by Kristina Parmelee and Drew Silvers
Link to Kristina's blog > here.

Goodbye Twenty-Sixteen December 30, 2016 12:05

Another year has come and gone, a year most people are dramatically calling "THE WORST EVER"... But we at The Montana Scene feel quite the opposite.

Twenty-Sixteen was an incredible year full of tons of change and new experiences!

* We survived it! (biggest accomplishment)
* Our amount of employees more than doubled.
* We opened TWO new Montana Scene stores; one in Whitefish and one in Bozeman.
*AND Sean and Melissa (the totally rad owners of The Montana Scene) opened a Children's' Boutique in Bigfork! (called Mady & Max)

Let me tell you, these people are complete Rockstars.

But most importantly, we were able to share our love and passion for Montana and all it has to offer with all of you wonderful people.
None of our exciting accomplishments could have happened without our followers and customers, so THANK YOU!


And while 2016 was a terrifying roller coaster of emotions, 14 hour work days, new babies, bi-weekly trips to Bozeman, sore backs and tears... it was seriously one for the books.
We're happy to say that we are MORE than ready for whatever it is that 2017 has to offer. (and we're really excited, too!)

Much love 2016, you've been great, but we're moving on.
It's not you, it's us. (Mostly just has to do with the earth rotating around the sun, etc.)

Thankful Giveaway! November 23, 2016 11:40

Well, it's officially that time of year where everyone's starting to talk about all the things they're thankful for.
We know you're all out there trying to resist the urge to blurt out "GUYS, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS BE THANKFUL!", but you're holding back because you realize that for the first time in a long time, nice things are finally being said on social media.
So let us say some more nice things:
We at The Montana Scene are SO thankful for each and every one of you! Our customers, followers, "likers" and "sharers"! We couldn't do any of the things we do if it weren't for you!
Whether you've been with us since Montana Bear Food, or you just found us in our 3rd and newest store; Bozeman, we're so happy you're around!

So to show our gratitude for all of you wonderful people, we are doing a GIVEAWAY!
Eight lucky winners will receive an item of Montana Scene apparel. 
Head over to our Facebook page to enter to win!

We hope you all have an amazing, safe holiday!

**Don't forget to subscribe to our e-newsletter so you can be the first one to hear about our Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday sales!

Beautiful Bozeman! October 28, 2016 10:00 1 Comment

Summer video October 14, 2016 16:59

Another New Store!? October 11, 2016 11:06