Helena Middle School

The first Friday in May was Vigilante day for the 6th graders of Helena Middle School.  The 6th grade learned all about rodeo and each event, they had a cowboy poet, a former rodeo competitor, a rodeo queen (me!), or maybe I should say two since Ms. Erickson the PE teacher is a former Miss Rodeo Montana from 1977.  Not only did the students learn about all of the events, but they got a chance to try their luck at each event.  From roping to barrel racing and bull riding to bull dogging the 6th grade got to do it all!

I helped demonstrate and explain the events along with Jason Harrison, but why did Miss Rodeo Montana have to ride the bull?  I can tell you all about bull riding, but not how to do it!  Yes, you guessed it…Miss Rodeo Montana fell off the bull!!  But not to worry…I cowgirled up and jumped back on and made a much more impressive ride, this time for 8 seconds.  I can’t say enough about how well behaved, kind, and polite the students at Helena Middle School are.  I hope they enjoyed me visiting their school as much as I did!

Governors Conference on Tourism

At the end of April I was able to attend the Governors Conference on Tourism in West Yellowstone.  It was a real “eye-opener” as to how many wonderful hospitable people and places we have to offer visitors in Montana; along with the great opportunities Montana has in the tourism industry.

Through the 3 day conference I was able to sit in on sessions covering anything from international tourism to the “no child left inside” initiative.  I also learned a ton about the history of West Yellowstone and the buildings there.  Not to mention finding all of the shopping and eating “hot spots” in West Yellowstone during one of the evening’s GeoCache activities.  The next day I went snowshoeing for my first time in Yellowstone National Park.  How could i not fall in love with snowshoeing when there was the Madison River with bison all around for the scenery?

I loved the time I spent in West Yellowstone and I hope I can go back agian and spend more time discovering all the town and park has to offer.