SPRING MUST BE CLOSE

It's definitely still February, we definitely can expect more snow showers before it's all over, and we definitely won't be hitting 70-degree temperatures anytime real soon (although that last one probably wouldn't be all that strange to see) ... but we're starting to see a few hints that spring and summer are close upon us. The sunsets begin to get a little more colorful (as shown above, looking across Flathead Lake last week) as Old Man Winter starts losing his grip. The snow showers are beginning to be mixed with rain showers, and our white blanket slowly starts to thin.

There's also a change in activity levels. Bigfork has a new event -- the First Annual Bigfork Brewfest -- coming up this weekend (check out their link on Facebook), likely as an effort to nudge people out of their winter hibernation. Eleven local breweries will be providing beverage samples, and local dining establishments (no slouches in their own right) will have food to soak up the liquid grains. Live music and a dog-keg-pull-race will keep everyone entertained, and all proceeds go to local charities.

After that, it's St Patrick's Day, the Rotary Chili Feed, the Kids' Easter Egg Hunt, Taste of Bigfork, Cherry Blossom Festival, Summer Playhouse Kickoff, Relay for Life, Whitewater Festival.....and that's all before June even starts!

Let the fun season begin....

On the way to work the other day, I noticed a glow in my rearview mirror as I headed towards Bigfork. The sun was beginning to rise, and the combination of clouds, mountains and snowscape provided an opportunity too good to pass up. I got out my compact tripod, set it up on the roof of my truck, and took nearly 100 pictures over a 30-minute-span as the day broke.

Almost as enjoyable as watching the sunrise was the reaction of the local residents along this quiet stretch of road. A summertime tourist taking pictures of a sunset is a common sight; but a guy standing in the back of a pickup wearing a Carhartt jacket, braving temperatures in the low-20's to take tourist-y pictures in the middle of winter .... it's enough to make people do a double-take. I was looked at a little funny by a farmer driving a road grader, pushing the snow-berms back. A mom taking her kids to school looked at me like I was nuts. A few people actually drove by and didn't even notice. On the other hand, three people I knew slowed down and marveled at the sight with me (two of them said, "You should've seen it yesterday morning!"); and two other people invited me to help myself onto their property for a tad better angle of the valley.

I picked four of the better ones, and they follow in sequential order as the sunrise progressed...

As the sun nears the horizon, one might think the back side of the mountains are on fire. Here, Sixmile Peak is barely visible as a silhouette because of the brightness of the sun:

The pastel colors associated with the sunrise cast a soft glow on Swan Peak:

And the lucky folks living on this farm wake up to this every day...

By Process of Elimination......

As I look at the headlines from around the country this morning, I feel sorry for everyone else but us. All these poor folks in areas of the country that aren't accustomed to cold weather, and they're getting the worst winter in decades. If it isn't the cold, it's the wind. If it isn't the wind, it's the snow. Sometimes it's all three. Even Florida farmers are dealing with freezing temperatures. Hope no one wanted affordable orange juice prices this summer.

And yet, there's this little place in the northwest part of Montana, in the northwest part of the country -- Bigfork -- that's just been hit by a winter storm. But it's nothing like the eastern two-thirds of the country. Just a six-inch or so layer. Enough to make things look pretty, but not painful. And just about perfectly, the snow has been more than generous in our higher elevations. I know I've mentioned this once already, but our local ski hill (Big Mountain) reported this morning having the deepest snow in the whole country!

Sure, you could go brave the crowds in Utah or Colorado. Then you'd be able to tell your friends you went to some posh Rocky Mountain resort, and they'd all act like they're jealous. It'd cost you a third of your kid's college education, and the crowds would resemble Christmas Eve in a mall, but you could brag about where you went. OR, you could come to Bigfork, ski at Big Mountain, not have a single lift line to deal with (I'm not kidding), have the best snow in the country, pay way less money...and be able to brag to your friends about having found one of the best kept secrets this country has to offer.

Till then, we'll be here enjoying it.

A "Routine" Sight

Just another day on Bigfork Bay.....

We looked out to the partially-frozen waters this morning to see a group of five bald eagles fighting over a piece of fish on the ice. We managed to capture a few pictures of the ones that came close -- the one that's speckled is actually an immature bald eagle (he hasn't grown into the white head and tail yet).

Is this just an incredibly rare occurrence? Actually, no. Last year, we witnessed a group of eagles fighting over a dead deer on the north end of Flathead Lake. At certain times, we saw as many as THIRTEEN bald eagles fighting over this carcass. But here on Bigfork Bay, the eagles are literally a daily part of the sights.

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

From all of us at Bear Dance

Did anyone need an extra excuse to visit Bigfork? We have one for you right here: As of today, there are only six ski resorts in the entire country with more snow than Big Mountain. They're skiing on a 60" base, and we haven't even hit our stride yet for winter snowfall! Typically, the months of January and February receive more snow than December, so if that's any indication, we're on our way to a record-breaking snowfall year!

Whether you're an avid skier, snowboarder, snowmobiler, snowshoer, or you just like to see winter wonderland scenes, Bigfork and the Flathead Valley are a fantastic winter destination. The little village has slowed down from its frenetic summer pace, and the shops, art studios and restaurants are a quiet and peaceful -- a perfect setting for that relaxing vacation.

If your life and schedule don't currently allow a trip or a relocation to Bigfork, please accept our sincerest wishes for a Merry Christmas. And until the opportunity arises for you to come see us, please continue to check in here on our blog -- we hope to have something new at least on a weekly basis. Let it snow!!!

CURRENT CONDITIONS: SNOW

Could someone please explain the source of weather information when trying to determine the local conditions in Bigfork? Because when you check the current conditions on weather.com, you might think it's a cold, dreary, winter day. But if you had the ability to simply look outside, you'd see how we're smack in the middle of the buildup to a beautifully White Christmas! Watching the snow fall is one of the most enjoyable activities I can think of, and when you combine it with a scene like this one, why resist the urge to share?

Welcome!

Welcome to our blog!

If you're here, you're either just a lucky wanderer of the web, or you've come here by invitation.

If you're a lucky wanderer, then we're glad you're here!

If you were invited, then we're glad you're here! In addition to our excitement about you joining us, you were invited based on some interest you've expressed in either Bear Dance or Bigfork. We're starting this blog because, as we mentioned above, we love Bigfork. We love living here. We think we're in the greatest place this side of heaven. We think our little project (Bear Dance) is perfectly located in this wonderful little town. And we want to share that excitement. We want to share the daily occurrences with others.

Maybe you love Bigfork as well. If you don't, we have a feeling you will soon. Keep checking back with us, and enjoy!