About Missoula County, MT

Blackfoot River Float Trips at McNamara's Landing & Blackfoot River Rentals

We spent yesterday afternoon on inner tubes floating down the Blackfoot River near Johnsrud Park, approximately 16 miles Northeast of Missoula MT.

The Blackfoot River is the river that was made famous by the movie made from Norman McLeans's novel about fly fishing called A River Runs Through It. From the book and movie:

"On the Big Blackfoot River above the mouth of Belmont Creek the banks are fringed by large Ponderosa pines. In the slanting sun of late afternoon the shadows of great branches reached from across the river, and the trees took the river in their arms. The shadows continued up the bank, until they included us.

Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters."

We rented our inner tubes from Blackfoot River Rentals which is located at McNamara's Landing off Highway 200.

Blackfoot River Rentals provides inner tube rentals and a free shuttle service that takes you six miles up the river. They also rent a variety of sizes of rafts, life jackets, and river equipment for reasonable rates.

It was a beautiful day to be on the river and we had a lot of fun. This section of the Blackfoot has a few Class 2 and Class 3 rapids however which were challenging for us as beginners. We got through them however, and made it back to McNamara's Landing about two and a half hours later.

McNamara's Landing also has cabins for rent and a lodge-style restaurant which had live music from a local band. Their menu has everything from burgers and sandwiches to steaks, seafood and prime rib. After a long day on the river, it's a great place to relax and enjoy some great food and drinks.

McNamara's Landing is located at:

878 Highway 200 East
Bonner, MT 59823
Phone: 406-244-2015
www.McNamarasLanding.com

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Kevin and Monica Ray are Missoula Real Estate sales and marketing professionals for Access Realty in beautiful Western Montana. We provide services in, but not limited to: Missoula, Superior, Alberton, Saint Regis, Lolo, Clinton, Turah, Potomac, Florence, Corvallis, and Hamilton.

For more information on Missoula Real Estate or surrounding areas, they can be reached at 406-207-1185 or online at www.AccessRealty.net.

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Montana World Trade Center - Connecting Montana to the World

I recently had the opportunity to meet with the staff of the Montana World Trade Center which is based in Missoula at the University of Montana. They are participating in Social Media Club Missoula and looking at opportunities to help Montana businesses use social media.

The Montana World Trade Center (MWTC) works to increase international trade through public-private partnerships, business networking, and student education. They provide resources to help Montana businesses including:

• Export/Import readiness assessment
• Basic International research and guidance
• Training seminars
• Access to visiting trade experts and delegations
• Trade shows and international trade missions.

They also provide specialized services on a retainer or a success-fee-basis.

Pictured: Megan Harrington, Geoffrey Sutton, Nicole Hagerman

For more information on the Montana World Trade Center, contact them at:

Montana World Trade Center
Gallagher Business Building, Suite 257
The University of Montana
Missoula, Montana, 59812-6798
Tel: (406) 243-6982 Fax: (406) 243-5259
E-mail: mwtc@mwtc.org
http://www.mwtc.org/

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Kevin and Monica Ray are Missoula Real Estate sales and marketing professionals for Access Realty in beautiful Western Montana. We provide services in, but not limited to: Missoula, Superior, Alberton, Saint Regis, Lolo, Clinton, Turah, Potomac, Florence, Corvallis, and Hamilton.

For more information on Missoula Real Estate or surrounding areas, they can be reached at 406-207-1185 or online at www.AccessRealty.net.

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Missoula Montana Named One of the Most Playful Cities in America!

In a time when 82 percent of parents believe children don't spend enough time playing outside, KaBOOM! a national non-profit dedicated to bringing play back into children's lives, named them its most Playful City USA communities recently, Missoula Montana made that list!

Each of the 2009 Playful City USA communities demonstrated creative commitments to the cause of play in the areas of quantity, quality and access.

Making playspaces accessible to all citizens in Missoula is a priority for the Parks and Recreation department. The department will establish new connector sidewalks that will connect low and moderate income housing, schools, the YMCA, and a community park.

The department is also developing a new Finder Map for the citizens of Missoula that will show users where to find playspaces, -Got Nature‖ spaces and -Daily Dose‖ areas. The Finder Map will host information about the location of and access to trailheads, bus connections, trails, parks, wellness sites, and other great places to visit and play throughout Missoula and is expected to be completed by May 2010.

For more information on the Playful Cities Award, read the Press Release.

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Kevin and Monica Ray are Missoula Real Estate sales and marketing professionals for Access Realty in beautiful Western Montana. We provide services in, but not limited to: Missoula, Superior, Alberton, Saint Regis, Lolo, Clinton, Turah, Potomac, Florence, Corvallis, and Hamilton.

For more information on Missoula Real Estate or surrounding areas, they can be reached at 406-207-1185 or online at www.AccessRealty.net.

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Homes for Sale on the South Hill in Missoula MT - Moose Can Gulley & Wapikaya

The South Hill in Missoula Montana has many great housing options - from condos, to starter-homes, to custom homes. Located up Hillview from Russell Street into the hills, the South Hill neighborhood is Moose Can Gulley. At the base of the South Hill is Wapikaya, another popular Missoula neighborhood.

Historically marked by ranches and farms, the South Hills neighborhoods still respectfully nod to their rural roots. They just recently approved over 1,000 acres of open space easements provide for peaceful places to explore and enjoy.  Trail systems are underway to connect Hillview Road to Moose Can Gully Park. 

The South Hill and Wapikaya neighborhoods are close to grocery shopping, schools, and are only a short drive to Missoula's downtown, University area, and shopping districts. Many of the homes feature panoramic views of the city and the entire Missoula valley.

Residents enjoy several public parks and a trail system that leads across the hillside, making the South Hills a great place for mountain biking, walking, running, or just relaxing and enjoying the views.

From July 1, 2008 to July 1, 2009, there were 80 sales in the South Hills neighborhoods ranging from $110,000 to $430,000 with a median sales price of $220,000.

Search All Homes for Sale in the South Hills of Missoula - Moose Can Gulley & Wapikaya

Schools in the area are Chief Charlo Elementary, Cold Springs Elementary, Meadow Hill Junior High School, and Sentinal High School which are all part of the Missoula Public School System.

For more information on the Missoula Montana neighborhoods of Moose Can Gulley or Wapikaya in the South Hills, contact Kevin and Monica Ray of Access Realty at 406-207-1185 or visit us online at www.YourMT.com and www.AccessRealty.net.

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Kevin and Monica Ray are Missoula Real Estate sales and marketing professionals for Access Realty in beautiful Western Montana. We provide services in, but not limited to: Missoula, Superior, Alberton, Saint Regis, Lolo, Clinton, Turah, Potomac, Florence, Corvallis, and Hamilton.

For more information on Missoula Real Estate or surrounding areas, they can be reached at 406-207-1185 or online at www.AccessRealty.net.

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Homes for Sale in The University District - Missoula Montana Real Estate

I would venture to say that the University District is the most popular Missoula neighborhood, as reflected by the price of homes in the area. It's beautiful historic homes, tree lined boulevards, and close proximity to Missoula's University of Montana and downtown make it a desirable place to live.

From July 1, 2008 to July 1, 2009, there were 33 homes sold in the University District ranging from $91,000 to $862,000. The median sales price was $315,000 - the highest in Missoula. Homes in the University District range from condos to one-of-a-kind historic homes and new construction custom homes.

Search All Homes for Sale in the University District of Missoula MT

University of Montana alum Don Oliver takes a look at the past, present and future of houses in neighborhoods surrounding the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana in a video he produced and published it to YouTube. It gives an interesting overview of the different styles of homes in the area, the history of the University District, and how the homes look today.

For more information on homes for sale in the University area of Missoula or to schedule a personal tour, contact Kevin and Monica Ray of Access Realty at 406-207-1185.

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Kevin and Monica Ray are Missoula Real Estate sales and marketing professionals for Access Realty in beautiful Western Montana. We provide services in, but not limited to: Missoula, Superior, Alberton, Saint Regis, Lolo, Clinton, Turah, Potomac, Florence, Corvallis, and Hamilton.

For more information on Missoula Real Estate or surrounding areas, they can be reached at 406-207-1185 or online at www.AccessRealty.net.

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