flathead lake: Flathead Valley: Columbia Falls, Whitefish, Bigfork, Kalispell - 03/29/14 12:19 AM
I love the diversity in our valley:
Columbia Falls: still a timber town with Plum Creek, RBM lumber, also the gateway to Glacier National Park. Flathead River runs through it.
Whitefish: the home of Big Mountain (Whitefish Mountain Resort) for winter and summer fun, old west downtown, situated on Whitefish Lake with bike trails and the Whitefish River running through it. From ski-bums to high end 2nd or 3rd homes, much diversity. Home of Alpine Theater Project and the Whitefish Theater with 2 venues to perform in.
Bigfork: On Flathead Lake and you can boat to the town. Artist and restaurant … (0 comments)

flathead lake: 2nd Annual Dragon Boat Races on Flathead Lake - 09/08/13 05:56 AM
It was an amazing weekend on Flathead Lake for the races. Flathead Lake Lodge is the property where the event took place, beautiful.
 
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flathead lake: Eats in the Flathead and a Very Big Lake - 07/17/13 10:14 PM
Sunday we took a drive down the west side of Flathead Lake to West Shore State Park. What a gem! We were checking out which camp sites might be best for future camping trips. There is a great boat launch, picnic area on the lake and camp sites with views. Also, 2.5 miles of hiking trails. http://stateparks.mt.gov/west-shore/ This web site is great. Some sites can be reserved and there are many photos and descriptions of the camping spots.
This drive was followed by dinner at Tamarack Brewing Company in Lakeside. We got a table outside next to the creek and under the willows. … (0 comments)

flathead lake: Flathead Valley News and Notes July 13, 2012 - 07/06/12 12:45 AM
​The yearly average visitor numbers in Glacier National Park are around 2 million. I think they all decided to make this the week they visited our valley! Now, keep in mind we really don't deal with traffic in this valley except for in the summer, but there were unbelievable backups going through Kalispell and to the major shopping area on Hwy 93 this week. I was not excited to be part of a record day for shoppers at Costco on July 3rd - and that was at 3pm! I have NEVER seen so many people in that store and it stands to reason since they set a … (1 comments)

flathead lake: Flathead Valley Summer Fun - 07/02/12 12:13 AM
Friday: trip up to Glacier National Park, walked on the South Boundary Trail and watched the rafters come down the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Would have been a longer hike if we had thought of bug spray. Renewed our annual park pass and wandered around Lake McDonald and Apgar. Came out of the park via Camas Road turning onto the North Fork Road. Swung through Big Creek campground spotting sites to camp along the river.
Saturday: Afternoon spent down at Dayton on Flathead Lake cleaning the sailboat and replacing lines. Beautiful weather and fun social time at the docks. 
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flathead lake: Flathead Valley News and Notes June 28, 2012 - 06/27/12 10:55 PM
Earth, Wind and Fire:
While Colorado battles to save homes from the insane numbers of fires in their state, parts of eastern Montana are also struggling to control fires. NW Montana far surpassed June record rainfalls and had very cool days inters pursed with beautiful, warm summer days. We had high winds and power outages last weekend which toppled trees. Flooding is a concern this week after a very aggressive storm passed through the Flathead Valley on Tuesday. All this moisture has protected our part of the state from fire so far this summer.
When we put our sailboat in Flathead … (0 comments)

flathead lake: Flathead Valley News and Notes May 5, 2012 - 05/05/12 03:54 AM
I was driving along Flathead Lake yesterday heading north and was thinking about how I never tire of seeing the white capped mountains and the beautiful blue of "the" lake. The lake level is regulated by dams and is filling in nicely getting close to the full pool goal by Memorial Day weekend.  Boat docks are still high and dry but the shoreline has water covering the areas that were bare just a couple of weeks ago. Cherry trees are blossoming for even more beauty along Hwy 93.
Glacier National Park plowing is proceeding well. There are some amazing photos on … (1 comments)

flathead lake: Flathead Valley Weekly Update: May 20, 2011 - 05/20/11 10:55 AM
Spring is sprung. Trees are leafing out, green all around. If you are reading this from a different part of the country, it may seem late to you for me to be talking about Springs arrival. It was a snowy winter and everything is at least 3 weeks behind. You better believe we are all thrilled with the 70 degree weather and sunshine though!
The down side of record snow and Spring's arrival is flooding. The Stillwater river has flooded. The worst is yet to come when the high mountain snow starts to melt. A few 80+ degree days and we … (0 comments)

flathead lake: Flathead Valley Weekly Update: April 8, 2011 - 04/08/11 09:02 AM
It is a sunny Friday in the Flathead. Whitefish Mountain Resort ends this awesome season on Sunday. The annual Pond Skim event is on Saturday. People dress up and use all kids of contraptions to get down to a pond on skis or whatever and try and skim across without sinking in the icy cold water. I was driving up today to get a few last runs in and saw something that gave me a chuckle. Between Kalispell and Whitefish a guy was riding a bike along Hwy 93 with a snow board strapped to his back. It was about 32 … (0 comments)

flathead lake: Flathead Valley Weekly Update: December 23, 2010 - 12/23/10 12:43 AM
Local government updates:
Residents in the "donut" area of Whitefish are making an effort to get an initiative on ballot regarding who - county, or city - should be able to rule on their planning and zoning issues.
Whitefish ice cream shop owners of Mrs. Spoonovers have fought hard for their sign rights on the building in court and won but now will be closing due to financial reasons. Very sad ending to the little guy finally getting justice.
Flathead County Planning is approving a special zoning area in Lakeside near Flathead Lake.
City of Kalispell is proposing increased sewer rates … (0 comments)

flathead lake: Flathead Valley Weekly Update: November 26, 2010 - 11/26/10 07:29 AM
Flathead Living Thankfulness:
1) Awe inspiring views, all 360 degrees, of the Rocky Mountains, Glacier National Park, Whitefish Mountain Resort and Blacktail Ski Mtn - all from my home
2) Flathead Lake to sail on: largest fresh water lake west of the Mississippi
3) Neighbors who help each other out
4) Ability to own acreage and have critters, peace and quiet and space
5) 4 seasons of weather and outdoor activities
6) Miles of horse riding trails and wilderness areas
7) Having only 15% of the land privately owned and the majority of the balance there to play in
8) Glacier … (0 comments)

flathead lake: Flathead Valley Weekly Update: October 2, 2010 - 10/02/10 02:12 AM
     Hockaday Art Museum in Kalispell is hosting a tour of Flathead Valley artists working in their shops today. Tickets are $5 and you can drive between artists locations and see them in action.
     While taking our sail boat our of Flathead Lake this week, I learned from Jim Leakander the history of the dock at Dayton. Dayton Yacht Harbor (remember this is Montana so "yacht" is used loosely in a non-formal manner) Has been owned by Jim for decades. The dock was originally built in the 1920's or '30's as a railroad trestle. Logs were brought in from surrounding … (0 comments)

flathead lake: Flathead Valley Weekly Update: September 24, 2010 - 09/24/10 02:35 AM
    Heading to Bigfork today to bid at the Glacier Bank auction on a Flathead Lake condo on behalf of a buyer. VERY low reserve at $136,900, last list price was close to $300k. Should be a fun experience. Hope my clients win the bid.
    Rain, rain and more rain. We have had some sun this week but mostly it has been cold in the mornings with scattered showers. I never remember things being so green and not having a killing frost this far into September. Trees are turning and it is an invigorating time of year.
    UofM has … (0 comments)

flathead lake: Flathead Valley Weekly Update: August 20, 2010 - 08/20/10 03:39 PM
Highlights this weekend around Flathead Valley:
NW MT Fair and rodeo continue in Kalispell thru Sunday
Wooden Boat show on Flathead Lake in Lakeside - walk the docks and see the beautiful classics!
Alpine Theater Project continues with "A Grand Night for Singing" highlighting Rogers and Hammerstein songs, amazing talent, we saw the show already
Take a hike, ride a bike, get on the water, relax in the sun - don't miss out on the fun of summer!
In the news: the city of Whitefish is considering pursuing a sign ordinance against an ice cream shop. The suit got thrown out … (0 comments)

flathead lake: Flathead Valley Weekly Update: July 8, 2010 - 07/08/10 06:26 AM
     Should have had a camera, but didn't, so will try and describe the amazing view this morning. I took my horse to Herron Park in Kalispell early to beat the heat. We rode up and up to the overlook. The Foys to Blacktail trail workers have been hard at it and the horse trail is much improved from previous years. Anyway, at the lookout this is what I could see, Big Mountain, Glacier National Park, blue/green Foys Lake, Swan range of the Rockies, and down to Flathead Lake. Of course the whole valley was there also. Incredible! Just me and … (0 comments)

flathead lake: Flathead Valley Weekly Update: June 10,k 2010 - 06/10/10 03:37 PM
    Election week: mostly primaries but we do have a new Flathead County Sheriff. West Valley School Bond - badly needed expansion in this desirable country school district. I have not heard if that passed yet or not.
    Some scattered showings on my listings in the last week. 2 townhouse buyers I am working with, over all a little quiet. Summer traffic is definitely building. Glacier Park road is not yet plowed out so some travelers may be in for a little surprise. Things are very nice and green around here with all the rain we have had, very much … (1 comments)

flathead lake: Flathead Vallery Update: September 4, 2009 - 09/04/09 12:33 AM
    Okay, I missed last week's blog. Glacier National Park was calling my name and I had to get one more camping trip in this summer. We loaded up our camper with bikes and kayaks and headed to Many Glacier on the east side. The campground was full already so headed back towards East Glacier and the Two Medicine campground. What a gem! See photos below. We camped on the lake, went to the evening ranger talks, hiked, biked and kayaked. The campground empties out each morning with everyone heading for the trails. We took the easy hike to 3 different … (2 comments)

flathead lake: Flathead Valley Update: July 19, 2009 - 07/19/09 02:52 PM
  Activities in the sun: Horse ride to Stanton Lake (16 miles east of W. Glacier) see photo below. Sailing on Sunday on Flathead Lake. Awesome steady wind. Fun day with friends and clients.
Coming this week: Spelling Bee - Alpine Theater Project
     Art in the Park - Kalispell
     The Event at Rebecca Farms - Kalispell, Olympic qualifying 3 day event. Walk the cross country course Friday and Saturday to watch the jumping over obstacles. Free to the public. Bring sunscreen and a chair.
     Take a river raft ride down the Middle Fork in Glacier Park.
     Look … (1 comments)

flathead lake: Flathead Valley Update: July 15, 2009 - 07/14/09 11:00 PM
Summer weather is returning today after 2 days of badly needed rain. Hopefully that dose of moisture will keep the forest fires at bay this year.
Hiking in Glacier National Park: We did the Apgar Lookout trail on Sunday. Felt like quite an accomplishment! 2.8 miles of 1900' elevation gain. Awesome views from the top made it worth while. Photo below. Planning a camping trip to Many Glacier where the peaks are amazing viewed when hiking.
Farmers Market in Whitefish last night was great. Good music, friends wandering around and fresh produce.
Sailing Saturday a.m. in Dayton on Flathead Lake. Perfect … (0 comments)

flathead lake: Flathead Valley Update: June 14, 2009 - 06/14/09 12:20 PM
Yes, it is a Sunday, but it was also a work day with an open house and checking out 2 renters in our townhomes. A sunny, hot day until the thunder storms rolled in this afternoon. We need rain on our hay fields. They are behind schedule so for once will not be doing hay over the 4th of July.
Sailboat is in Flathead Lake. A yearly affair putting it in when the lake is at full pool in June and taking it out for the winter in early October. No easy feet with a 30' boat! A big truck picks … (0 comments)

 
Cary Jo Hofstad, Cary Jo, Hofstad, Broker, Blue Sky Realty LLC (Blue Sky Realty, LLC)

Cary Jo Hofstad

Cary Jo, Hofstad, Broker, Blue Sky Realty LLC

Kalispell, MT

More about me…

Blue Sky Realty, LLC

Address: Kalispell, MT, 59901

Mobile: (406) 261-2758

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