Christy Hays’ Sense of Place

~Brian D’Ambrosio

Lately, Christy Hays is in a funny, in-between place, that undulating one where she is addressing and confronting the ups and downs of existence.

Those big, musical havens where she formerly resided, Nashville and Austin, have gotten too overwhelming, an unending cycle of relentless self-promotion and cutthroat vanities. Dwelling upon too many feelings about the music business, and her place and position within it, she recently purchased a house in Uptown Butte. After a great deal of wandering, wrangling, lessons learned and enough angst reoccurring, she craves a sense of place – and she might even stay in the Mining City permanently.

Butte is part of the plot but not the whole story.  Her story is the familiar one of an artist who has spent a long period culminating their influences and well-worn road experiences into art. She has successfully followed the formula, releasing records, touring, and riding the summits and ditches of the requisite life.

She’s an introverted, circumspect woman of Midwestern stock, the daughter of a welder and a nurse, who was raised in an agricultural town of about 4,000 in Illinois. While she never aspired to be a working songwriter, she has always held the poet’s sense of perspective: reflecting on her first memories of her youth, she described the dramatic shift from small, family farm agriculture to the advent and proliferation of industrial farming. The bitter reality of identity loss imprinted.  

“I’ve always been hyperaware and maybe that’s been difficult for me,” said Hays. “I feel as if I have a deep, internal sense of justice, in a world that is inherently unjust. It’s been a learning process for me over the years to compartmentalize what I don’t understand. I’m definitely an escapist and I’ve lived different sort of lives. I came to Butte and it’s not a Utopian thing for me. Butte is strange and messed up and yet it’s really awesome.”

As a teenager, there was no intrinsic pressure to play music, but the energy of it eventually prevailed. She ditched Illinois while in her early 20’s, within a few months of graduating college, embarking to Alaska. “Disillusioned,” she said, by some our society’s coarser aspects, she disappeared into the woods.

Songwriting and the act of self-dredging ultimately triumphed over her more isolative instincts. She moved to Nashville in 2007, and after two years relocated again, this time to Austin, Texas, which at first felt “more her speed and her vibe.” She expanded her musical repertoire and found a little solace in the city’s legendarily collaborative spirit.

The past ten years she has worked her medium, delivering quality material, landing radio airtime, and even sharing the stage with other talents such as Sturgill Simpson and Jeffrey Foucault, among others. Hays’ singing voice catches like a briar; it doesn’t tear its audiences, but sticks to them. She plays with precision and without prejudice and without illusion. As a singer-songwriter, she has learned to do it right – and done it. If you want a bit of bittersweet joy from the work of a solid vocalist and lyricist (begin with “Town Underground”), Hays is your girl.

At first, Hays spent a few weeks of summertime in Butte, gigging regionally, writing, and embracing her beloved quietude. While she cherished her relations in Austin, she started to find the sort of mental and material culture there very difficult. And while Nashville, she said, was “way more obsessed with commercial success” than any other place she had lived, Austin’s population ballooned as one of the most explosive growths in the country.

“I don’t have that innate drive to live that way anymore,” said Hays. “There is solace here (in Butte). The residents are mostly elderly and at the beginning I was treated with distrust. What’s this lady doing here with her out-of-state plates? But now it has more of a feeling of going home. I can regroup and not be out on the bar scene or worrying about how successful I could be or won’t be. The writing is conducive here. It’s an exciting new phase.”

From the historian Joseph Kinsey Howard, who called the Mining City “the black heart of Montana” to Butte native Berton Braley, who wrote, “If you’ve got red blood in your veins, you’ll like her,” authors, poets, historians and entertainers have interchangeably complimented and criticized it – sometimes all in the very same paragraph. Food critic Anthony Bourdain tidily described the hilly territory built on copper, crime, and plenty of contrast:  “At first look, you'd think this is the worst place on Earth. A ravaged, toxic, godforsaken hill threatened from above, riddled with darkness from below. But you'd be wrong.”

Hays doesn’t glamorize Butte or trivialize it, she simply accepts that for right now it is a calm and peaceful setting which provides her with the legroom and head space to observe her feelings, perceptions and countless thoughts. She’s at a defining point in her relationship with both Butte and her art.  

Reevaluating her own notion of self, she has formed a non-profit songwriter and writer-in- residence program called Dear Butte, an artistic retreat for like-minded people who need to get away from the cityscape to create.

Perhaps the peace and happiness of forming Dear Butte means no more yearning – or at least a temporary cessation of obsession – for Hays. Thinking of Hays abbreviating her fine career is inassimilable, yet she is at the crossroads of realizing different needs.

“I am at the point where I am not completely sacrificing or pursuing or obsessing over carving out my own career. That’s where Dear Butte came from, the need to live a whole and happy and fulfilled life. Music and notoriety are inheritably not fulfilling. To provide the wherewithal and the support and to open up a lot of artistic doors for others, to me, that is exciting.” 

Yellow Bay State Park

Yellow Bay is in the heart of the famous Montana sweet cherry orchards. Cherry blossoms color the hillsides during spring. In the summer, cherries can be purchased at nearby roadside stands or U-Pick orchards. The park includes Yellow Bay Creek, shaded campsites, a boat ramp, a dock, and a wide, gravelly beach for accessing the lake. 

Click here to access a Map

Among its attractions are boating, lake trout fishing, water skiing, bird watching, swimming, camping, and scuba diving. The park is 15 acres in size at an elevation of 2,907 feet. It offers 5 tent sites. 

There are both flush and vault toilets, a group day-use area, pedestal grills, picnic tables, trash cans, and drinking water. No open fires are allowed, only charcoal. There is a 14-day camping limit during a 30 day period. A Boat ramp and a dock are both available.

A joint state/tribal fishing license is required at this site. The campground is open May 1 through September 30. 

There is a golf course nearby in Polson, as well as three museums. 

Fees are charged for camping and day use.

Don’t forget to grab fresh fruit from roadside stands or go picking at an orchard!

Looking for activities? You could:

✅ Be on the lookout for birds and plentiful wildlife

✅ Spend a day on the open water boating, canoeing, kayaking or water skiing

✅ A joint tribal/state license will allow you to fish for lake trout

✅ Take a dip in the chilly water 

✅ Take a look at what’s under the surface of the water and go scuba diving

✅ Plus so much more!

Regardless of the water level, boaters can typically put their boats in at Yellow Bay due to the steepness of its boat ramp.

There are 5 tent campsites at Yellow Bay, but they are first-come, first-served, so be sure to arrive early to claim your spot! Yellow Bay Creek flows through the park near the campsites, providing a peaceful sound to fall asleep to. 

Let’s get outside!

Bouncing Down the Boulder

    ~Sean Jansen

Just listen. The wind caresses the ears with a subtle song of possible thunderstorms echoing for the afternoon. Birds sing to each other in harmony much like a duet of a famous power ballad. The river screams down from alpine and bounces down the boulders of its very namesake. The trees dominate the landscape soaking up much of the sound and distributing it like natures version of a radio show. And the mountains stand tall on either side holding in all the beautiful noise like the walls of a sound proof recording studio. These are the stories of the Boulder River.

The Boulder River is a 60-mile watershed from one of the numerous drainages down from the alpine of the Absaroka Mountains. Sitting on the north side of the mountains and in the middle of the range, the Boulder offers the adventurous a playground of solitude. Horseback riding, backpacking, fly fishing, camping, hiking, and 4x4 adventure just to name a few. Even for the religious, a half dozen or so camps to bring the family and heal for a week.

Despite all the activities, caution flags need be raised for this is a wilderness area. Elk, moose, and most importantly black and grizzly bear inhabit the area and call it home. It is a winter ground for elk and can be a popular place for hunters to chase their game. However the real draw to the Boulder is of the river itself, and its trout.

“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.” To quote Norman Maclean on his book and eventually film that did have scenes filmed on this very river, the Boulder is one of the tributaries to the mighty Yellowstone River. From the mouth of the river where it meets the Yellowstone to Natural Bridge Falls Picnic Area, the river flows gently and subtly through farmland with a few access points for the general public. A popular section for anglers to float as the access from private land gobbles of most of its banks making fishing from a boat excellent. Both rainbow and brown trout swim up from the Yellowstone and take advantage of the solitude to spawn, all the while enjoying the splendor for themselves waiting for the grasshopper blown in from the farmland or the explosion of an evening hatch.

Natural Bridges is an appropriately named location because it is a giant waterfall naturally carved out of rock that cascades the upper section of river down to the lower, cutting off the large rainbow and brown trout coming up from the Yellowstone. What the upper reaches of the river offer however, are of National Forest and abundance.

The road turns to dirt and with every mile now driven up the bumpy, pot hole ridden path, the forest thickens, mountains sky rocket, and fish get smaller. With rainbows and brook trout on offer behind the small buckets pouring over the larger boulders and cool crystal clear water, the abundance and color of the fish are what draws anglers upward and deeper into the mountains. The average fish size range from 6-10 inches but what they lack in size, they make up for in color. Spots, stripes, and shades of color so vibrant one almost needs polarized sunglasses just handle the glow.

With 22 miles of vacant dirt road scattered with a few campgrounds, picnic areas, bible camps, and cabins, the solitude is often all an angler needs to be happy. While continuing to bounce up the dirt road, the fourth specie of trout inhabiting the waters dominate the pools. The gorgeously colored Montana native, the Yellowstone Cutthroat, thrive in the equally gorgeous and highly oxygenated waters of the upper stretches. With the arrival of the cutthroat and the now louder squeaking sound coming from the under carriage of the vehicle, the road dead-ends at a Forest Service camp and a trailhead where the birds chirping add to the choir of solitude. The mountains stand in the distance with the snowmelt that drain down creating the very waters casted in, making it all worth while to take a couple bounces along a dirt road up the Boulder River.

Does Mining Compromise Montana Tap Water?

There is a long history of copper mining in Montana goes all the way back to the 1880s. Sadly, while the mines have disappeared, the effects are still present. Heavy metals such as lead and salts like arsenic are present in our groundwater, so much so that as late as the 1990s, the water in Butte and the surrounding areas was unsafe to drink. The situation has certainly improved over the last few decades, but as you will see there is still much to be done.

Toxic Water Kills 3,000 Geese

Fortunately, with the improvement of filtration methods and the replacement of old wooden supply pipes, Montana drinking water has improved considerably. However, that doesn’t mean there still aren't many problems with it. The closure of the old Berkeley Pit has been particularly problematic, with a lake being created that is a major health hazard. Only two years ago, the Guardian reported that, “At least 3,000 geese [were] killed by toxic water from former Montana copper mine.”

Groundwater and Berkeley Pit Pool

The concern about the Berkeley Pit is that it is fairly close to the Silver Bow Creek, which is used by the residents of Butte and the surrounding areas as a water source. The residents were told that there is nothing to worry about and that the poisonous water from the Berkeley Pit pool will never trickle into the groundwater. However, considering what happened to those 3,000 geese that had the misfortune to land in the ‘toxic stew’ of the Berkeley Pit, it may not be wise to not take action and simply trust the local government and water companies to keep you safe.

Water Contamination in the Area

While it is true that Silver Bow Creek and the surrounding areas have been transformed over the last 30 years, there is still a long way to go. To quote from the Clark Fork Coalition, “The [mining and smelting] contamination impacted drinking water wells and agricultural soils, and today the river functions at only 1/5 of its fishery potentials. Compounding the problem, the upper river faces additional challenges from drought, sediment loads, and dewatering.”

Contaminants in Our Drinking Water

Is the drinking water in Montana is safe to drink in general?

Let’s have a look at some of the local utilities and the quality of their water. Please note that the figures used here represent health guidelines, not federal guidelines.

On a side note: You may not be surprised to hear that the federal guidelines on what constitutes ‘safe’ drinking water are much more relaxed. Remember Flint, Michigan, where people were protesting that the drinking water was green and smelled ‘funny’? For weeks, the local government was saying that everything was fine. However, it later turned out that it wasn’t.

City of Billings

The water utility company in the city of Billings in southern Montana supplies water to nearly 115,000 people and yet its drinking water contains 10 contaminants whose levels are above health guidelines. These contaminants are:

·   Arsenic

·   Bromodichloromethane

·   Chloroform

·   Chromium (hexavalent)

·   Dibromochloromethane

·   Dichloroacetic acid

·   Nitrate and nitrite

·   Trihalomethanes

·   Trichloroacetic acid

·   Hormones

Source: Environmental Working Group National Tap Water Database

Of course, not all the above can be blamed on mining. For example, hormones come from animal and human wastewater which has entered drinking water sources. However, arsenic and chromium certainly do originate from mining.

City of Butte

The Butte’s water utility company supplies water to the much smaller population of 33,000 people but still has seven contaminants that are above what’s considered healthy:

·   Arsenic

·   Bromodichloromethane

·   Chloroform

·   Dichloroacetic acid

·   Radiological contaminants

·   Trihalomethanes

·   Trichloroacetic acid

Source: Environmental Working Group National Tap Water Database

As you can see, most of the contaminants are similar to Billings (Butte is only a four-hour drive from Billings…). However, one that stands out is ‘radiological contaminants’. These were present in the Billings tests as well, but did not reach the same levels as in Butte water. We'll go into what these contaminants can do to our health in a moment.

City of Kalispell

The city of Kalispell, far to the northwest of Butte, lies on the edge of Glacier National Park. You would imagine that the water here would be cleaner than anywhere else but sadly, contaminants are still present:

·   Bromodichloromethane

·   Chlorate

·   Chromium (hexavalent)

·   Nitrate and nitrite

·   Radiological contaminants

·   Trihalomethanes

Source: Environmental Working Group National Tap Water Database

As you can see, the contaminants are often similar, with the only variations being the different contamination sources. The reason for this is not so much the area where you live. Common contaminants are present because the water purification process is the same throughout America. Ironically, this very process is what causes some of the contamination in the first place.

Why the Above Contaminants Are of Concern

If ingested in large enough quantities, almost all of the above substances can cause cancer or have carcinogenic properties. Arsenic is linked to thousands of cases of cancer alone. Other contaminants, such as bromodichloromethane, may cause problems for mothers-to-be. Finally, radiological contaminants including radium and uranium may affect the development of unborn children.

How Can the Contaminants Be Removed

The fact is that America suffers from drinking water containing a whole range of contaminants that exceed health guidelines. The best way to solve this problem is through filtration. According to BOS, one of the best ways to get access to clean drinking water is to add a reverse osmosis filter system to your home. (Learn more here:   https://www.best-osmosis-systems.com

Although you should do your own research because every situation is different, reverse osmosis is a highly potent water purification method. To quote Simple English Wikipedia, a reverse osmosis filter “is how you can get small particles out of water, even in solution, by forcing it through a filter (a membrane)."

At times when corporations put money before people and the government is influenced by the very companies it should be protecting us from, it might be better to take action now, before it’s too late.

If you want more information on the quality of your drinking water, sight your local utility’s water quality report and act accordingly. This will allow you, your partner and most importantly your kids to sleep safe at night knowing that the water coming out of your taps will not harm them.

 10 Best Things to Do In Livingston

   ~Angela Jamison

With the Yellowstone River flowing alongside it and the Paradise Valley as a backdrop it’s easy to see the appeal of Livingston Montana.  And, with Bozeman growing at an astonishing rate heading over to Livingston can give the small town feel that we are starting to lose on this side of the hill.  With its proximity to Yellowstone National Park it's a tourist hot spot and for good reason, there’s a lot to do in Livingston!  It also shouldn’t be overlooked by Bozeman residents as a day trip adventure.  Especially in the summertime.  Whether you are a tourist or a local, here are the top ten things to do in Livingston Montana.  

1.  HAVE BREAKFAST OR LUNCH AT GIL’S

The food at Gil’s is worth the 20-minute drive from Bozeman.  With a wood-fired oven, their baked goods and pizza are out of this world.  They make everything in house with a focus on local, organic ingredients.  The space itself is adorable with a modern farmhouse vibe and nice outdoor seating space.  If it’s too crowded you can grab a table in the Murray or just start there if you’re looking for an old Montana bar vibe.  

2. VISIT THE LIVINGSTON DEPOT

This historic depot was built in 1902 and is a great museum to check out in the summer time (they are open Memorial Day to Labor Day).  You can’t miss the large brick building right on Park Street next to the train tracks.  The space also serves as a community center for events such as film conferences, movies on the lawn, music and more.  

3. GRAB A MILKSHAKE AT MARKS IN & OUT

There’s a reason this place has been around since 1954.  When you drive into town and see a line of people on the corner, you’ll know you’re at the right spot.  Their milkshakes are the best, as are the onion rings and fries, and well…pretty much everything.  

4. FLOAT/KAYAK THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER

All the rivers in Montana are beautiful but floating the Yellowstone through the Paradise Valley is spectacular.  If you’re not comfortable doing this on your own, there are guided floats available.  However you get on the Yellowstone, this is one to put on your summer bucket list every year.  

5. GO TO A LIVINGSTON ART WALK

While the Bozeman Art Walks are awesome, they can get a little overrun with tourists.  The Livingston Art Walks happen the fourth Friday of the summer months and have a much more laid back vibe.  There are many fantastic art galleries in Livingston that open their doors for the Art Walk and it’s a fun time to stroll around their historic downtown area. 

6. TAKE A PICNIC TO SACAJAWEA PARK

When the backdrop of the park is the Yellowstone River and mountains, it’s hard to go wrong!  Pack a lunch (or grab some Mark’s In & Out as suggested above) and throw out a blanket under one of the many huge trees for a picnic.  There’s a playground, tennis courts and trails to wander around afterwards.  

7. VISIT A BREWERY

Livingston has two fantastic breweries.  Neptune’s Brewery has great beers, pub food and sushi.  Yep, you read that right, sushi.  So, whether you feel like some sashimi or a hamburger they’ve got you covered!  Katabatic Brewing Company is the newer of the two breweries and is right in downtown Livingston.  They have live music a couple nights a week, Sunday Fundays and beers for a cause on Tuesdays. 

8. GO TO THE LIVINGSTON ROUNDUP RODEO

Fourth of July would not be complete without the Livingston Rodeo.  This will be the 94th year and it takes place on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of July.  This is the premier rodeo in the state of Montana and sells out almost every year.  There are fireworks each night and it is quite a show. 

9. CHECK OUT MUSIC AT THE ATTIC

The space in this historic Livingston building is so cool.  They’ve preserved much of the original building while updating the space making it a perfect music venue.  It’s right on Main Street and they have a full bar.

10. HAVE DINNER AT 2^ND STREET BISTRO

This is the perfect way to top off a day in Livingston.  2nd Street Bistro is a delightful restaurant that makes everything from scratch.  During the summer they use many ingredients from their urban farm and they also handcraft cocktails with house-infused liquors.  A jalapeno pineapple margarita sounds awfully refreshing after a day on the river.  

BONUS-STAY AT THE MURRAY HOTEL

If you are visiting Livingston from out of town, then you have to stay at the Murray.  This is an authentic Western hotel with all the modern amenities you need.  You can’t help get caught up in the history of this place if you stay here.  Everyone from Buffalo Bill to the Queen of Denmark have spent time at the Murray Hotel!  

Milltown State Park

On the outskirts of Missoula you’ll find Montana’s newest state park MIlltown State Park. Once a Superfund river restoration project, years of hard work from multiple state and federal agencies, non-profits, businesses, and committed volunteers helped make the park what it is today. 

Interpretive displays are placed both at the overlook and confluence areas to provide insight into the history of the area.  The story of how people have used the park and the confluence of the Blackfoot and Clark Fork Rivers is told from multiple perspectives in these detailed and interesting displays.

Outdoor opportunities and cultural heritage merge at the restored confluence of the Clark Fork and Blackfoot Rivers at Milltown providing a unique opportunity for visitors. 

The park includes 500 acres of terrain that ranges from restored river bottoms to a pine forested bluff that overlooks the confluence. 

The park affords visitors a place to go hiking, biking, fishing, floating and watching for birds and wildlife. The Milltown State Park Overlook is open and features interpretive displays and picnic tables. There are nearly three miles of hiking trails that lead from the Overlook down to the Clark Fork River and its floodplain trails. 

The Confluence and Gateway areas, on the north side of the river, saw construction begin in the summer of 2017. The park development include trails, an interpretive plaza and river access. The grand opening for the Confluence area was June 23, 2018. 

Among the many stories from the deep past are the Glacial Lake Missoula floods that shaped the landscape thousands of years ago. The Salish and Kalispell know the confluence as the place of bull trout and consider it part of their ancestral home. In 19th century history, Meriwether Lewis made a Fourth of July passage through the confluence and decades later the Mullan Expedition spent a harsh winter there. Beginning in the 1880s, the rivers were dammed to produce power for the mills and communities but at great consequence.

The hopeful story of the Milltown Dam removal and rivers' return offers an opportunity to explore America's changing relationship to the land as well as the benefits that river restoration yields for Montana's families and communities.

Montana's Nature Means HEALTH

Exploring the great outdoors is one of life’s simpler yet most rewarding pleasures. Even
those who enjoy the hustle and bustle of a crowded city can appreciate the majesty of nature
on occasion. The Rocky Mountains are a breathtaking part of the natural environment and
are a must-see for any tourist or native of Montana. Taking time to appreciate the great
outdoors has so many amazing benefits for mental and physical health, and making the
most out of nature is easy to do in this beautiful state. Here are a few ideas for your next trip
outdoors.

Physical Fitness

Even if you don’t have a gym membership, Montana’s nature preserves and national parks
are the perfect substitutes. Whatever your fitness level, there is an activity for you. Beautiful
lakes and rivers such as the water at Apgar Village are perfect for wild swimming, and you
can find out more at Visit MT. The water is good for supporting your body, giving you the
sensation of exerting less energy than you truly are. This is why you’re probably very hungry
after taking a dip! Skiing in the mountain snow not only gives you strong calves and good
balance but also beautiful views of the surrounding scenery. For tamer exploits, hiking
through the woodland is another way to stay fit while admiring the landscape.

Mental Fitness

It’s not just your body that will thank you for journeying across Montana’s land; taking in the
wonders of nature is excellent for your mental health. It is proven that beauty makes humans
happier, and the spectacles found at Glacier National Park is a sight to behold. Even if you
don’t want to walk too far or climb any steep surfaces, taking a trip out of the city and
absorbing the natural landscape will give your mind vital time to decompress after hectic
careers or family life. This way, you will be better able to tackle your problems when you
return.

Leisure Time

Linked to staying mentally fit is the importance of keeping stress levels low. This is part of
the reason why leisure and relaxation are so vital for maintaining good health. The cities
have a reputation for causing stress, so opting for spending more time within nature can be
hugely beneficial in unexpected ways. There are so many different ways you can relax in an
urban area: watching movies; checking up on scores with Unibet; going to a restaurant. This
works well for people who don’t have time to make the trip to somewhere a little more
remote. Each new moment in nature is unique compared to the last, whereas lazing at home
can become tedious and repetitive.

Ideas for Activities

If you want to make the most out of your time in Montana’s stunning natural environment,
here are a few ideas for activities to try:
 Buy or hire a mountain bike to follow the trails,
 Study the local wildlife and practice tracking animals (with caution),
 Take a paddleboard out onto the water and see the fish below,
 Invest in a tent and find a good campsite (remember to pack marshmallows).

Painted Rocks State Park

   ~Visit Mt

Named for the green, yellow and orange lichens that cover the grey and black walls of the granite and rhyolite cliffs, Painted Rocks State Park is located in the West Fork Valley of the Bitterroot Mountains.

Painted Rocks Dam was originally planned to be constructed for agricultural use!

The Montana Water Conservation started work on Painted Rock Dam in 1939. Today, Painted Rocks Reservoir provides water for irrigation, stock water, domestic use and in-stream flows for fish. The reservoir the dam creates is the perfect location for boating or fishing!

While in the park, keep your eyes open for the diverse populations of wildlife including elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, black bear or moose! You may even catch a glimpse of bighorn sheep or peregrine falcons which were reintroduced to the area in the 1980s. 

Are you or do you know an avid birdwatcher? If you happen to be in the area in the spring or fall, you’re in luck! Osprey, great blue heron, water ouzels, spotted sandpiper and kill-deer make pitstops in their migration patterns at Painted Rocks State Park.