The Covid-induced tourism boom to Montana introduced a new audience to the Clark Fork River. For two summers, boats, tubers, kayakers, paddleboarders and river boarders had campgrounds and fishing access sites clogged.

That visitation surge has settled, but once tasted, more people are using the incredible water resources today, and who can blame them? 

Most water recreation can be done with common sense safety but whitewater rafting is best done with an experienced company unless the person behind the oars has been safety certified. That’s because it’s a far cry from rowing with your buddies from Forest Grove to the Big Eddy Fishing Access sites casting flies all afternoon. 

There are several rafting companies that specialize in whitewater rafting with experienced guides that will make an incredible memory for families with lots of fun, laughter and the stories they share. The shuttle back to your vehicle is happy rafters telling their favorite parts of the day.

“The Alberton Gorge is one of the most beautiful sections of river in Montana and during the summer it has incredible scenery and whitewater opportunities. It’s our specialty! But our scenic wildlife viewing floats on gentle water are becoming more popular. And these are the heart and soul of Montana River Guides,” said Mike Johnston who started the company in 1994. 

Montana River Guides has certified whitewater rescue instructors and they have been training search and rescue, fire departments, and rafting companies for many years from as far away as Costa Rica and India. They are affiliated with the Whitewater Rescue Institute and every guide is trained in swiftwater rescue. They are so secure that they are the Discovery Channel’s only choice for whitewater safety.

The foundation of the rafting company is family-oriented whitewater rafting and picturesque river floating.

“We’ve always been off the beaten path, a little bit, being in Alberton,” Johnston explained. “And the longer we’ve had our company, the more we appreciate that we are not near a national park as it’s not near as crowded. That we’re not in a part of Montana that gets overwhelmed with tourism.” 

However, the business has been growing steadily as more people move into Missoula and the Spokane and Coeur ‘d Alene areas as those are the repeat customers which are a huge chunk of revenue. 

“A lot of our customers are local people and families,” Johnston said. “And then their visiting friends and families come and try it out. They come back year after year. But we also have a lot of tourists who used to drive through the area but have realized there’s a lot of stuff to do here for all ages so it’s almost a destination.” 

Something Johnston shares that he’s noticed in his 30 years of taking people rafting is heartening. 

“Families today not only include kids and maybe grandparents, but more and more people ask about floating with their dogs. We accommodate it whenever we can. Of course, we can’t do it in big whitewater but on the scenic floats on the Blackfoot or other rivers we float, we have different sized life jackets designed especially for dogs and we’ve never had a bad experience.” 

Just to ensure that other rafters might not be dog-people, the requesting party must rent the entire boat, which happens anyway with so many friends and family members.

Johnston is a director of the Mineral County Chamber of Commerce as a personal supporter of local businesses but also to refer his visitors to other local establishments. Where to eat, spend the night, play pool, fill propane tanks, campgrounds that are nearby, etc. Float information and scheduling is done online at montanariverguides.com.

Voters have waited with baited breaths for their ballot to arrive in their mailboxes.  A caller this morning inspired me to this post about the ballots just mailed out…all three of them.  

A coworker agreed with this topic choice, then added, “My father-in-law called me last night, asking questions about the ballots.”  I suppose it’s understandable.  We expect something pretty clearcut and it’s not quite.  For those new to voting, or anyone confused by what they received, let’s see if I can help.

The state of Montana does not document party affiliation for a resident when they register to vote.  The voter cards mailed earlier do not list party.  In the primary election, such as now in May, a voter is free to decide which party races they will vote in.  So a Montanan can cast a ballot for either Democrat, Republican or Green.  Others in the state have four ballots in their packet.

The most important sheet of paper in the ballot packet is the Voting Instructions.  Follow these steps and your choices will be respected and counted.

While the steps are pretty straightforward, number 1 states “Choose ONE Ballot to Vote.”

Translated: No, please don’t mark all three or four and send them in.  Waste of your vote.  The Elections office will not count them.  A voter is free to choose the one party‘s races they care about and will participate in by voting.

Another caller this morning urged listeners to fill out their ballot and turn it in as soon as possible.  Why?  The only reason a voter should sent it in ASAP is if they will mail it.  The Postal Service will need days for delivery.  Like the Instructions clearly says at the top “a postmark is not accepted.”  The best practice is to deliver in person.  That being said, you have until June 4th to carefully think about your choices and fill out the ballot, then turn it in to the Elections Office or drop it in an official ballot box.  As of the date of this article, you have time.

“Who Should I Vote For?”

This is a risky question to ask.  A radio guest suggested that if you absolutely don’t know who to vote for in a particular race, ask someone who follows all this political stuff and who can tell you who to vote for.  I’m a little bothered by this advice because at first blush it seems like ceding control of your vote to another person.  But then who do you ask?  I will therefore add that you should ask someone who is knowledgeable and whom you trust, and they should give you concrete information or point you where to look for yourself.  Answers like “Vote for him, he’s a (political view)” or “I met her, nice lady” is not nearly enough to make an informed choice.

Perhaps a better question is “Who do you recommend for this specific race, and why?”

Still, do your homework.  An incumbent candidate has a voting record; look it up.  How did they vote on key issues when it mattered most?  What they say in news articles and on media should again be taken with salt.  Politicians say all manner of things.  Their social media may give some insight. Their votes and their actions are their true voice.  And again, you have time.

The key message I have is that you should be in control of your vote.  Don’t give your power to someone else with an unfilled ballot or have someone other than the Postal Service deliver it for you.  That piece of paper, that ballot, is truly your power in these elections.

Posted at 11:06 AM, May 14, 2024

and last updated 2024-05-14 13:17:09-04

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