Greetings from Big Sky Country! Today I’m writing from Whitefish, Montana—gateway to Glacier National Park—where my family and I are enjoying some much-needed R & R surrounded by dramatic mountain ranges, mighty rivers, and placid lakes. In this issue of “Handpicked by Heather,” I invite you to join me in my exploration of the American West, courtesy of your WTIU PBS Passport member benefit!
As a loyal WTIU viewer, you already know the many destinations PBS Passport can take you: whether traveling through time with period dramas like Poldark, Miss Scarlet & the Duke, and Sanditon; or to the ends for the earth (or into outer space) with shows like NOVA, Nature, and Expedition; or touring the world with Rick Steves, Joseph Rosendo , and Christine van Blokland, PBS Passport can take you anywhere you want to go, anytime you like! For now, come along with me to learn about the amazing places, people, animals, food, music, and history of the American West.
Ken Burns’ The National Parks: America’s Best Idea
From the balcony where we are staying in Whitefish, I can look over to the east and see the majesty of Glacier National Park rising in the distance. If I hop in the car, I can be on the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road in just 30 minutes, where such stunning sites as Lake McDonald, the Sunrift Gorge, and Bird Woman Falls await. Nearly as impressive as the natural beauty of the park is the story of the engineering marvel that is the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Completed in 1933, the road’s construction overcame innumerable obstacles, as workers reckoned with sheer cliffs, 60-foot snow drifts, and literally tons of solid rock that had to be blasted or, often-times, dug out by hand to create the 51-mile winding stretch of pavement that climbs to an elevation of 6650 feet to cross the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. Learn more about the beauty and history of Glacier and all of our National Parks—truly America’s best idea—when you watch Ken Burns’ Emmy winning documentary series with your WTIU PBS Passport benefit!
Yellowstone Symphony
While you’re sure to learn the deep history of America’s first national park in the Ken Burns’ documentary series, you can also utilize your WTIU PBS Passport member benefit to discover the pristine beauty of Yellowstone from an entirely different perspective. Set to a gorgeous score of beloved classics from such composers as Vivaldi, Schubert, Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, Debussy, and Tchaikovsky, Yellowstone Symphony treats viewers to a visually spectacular journey that takes you far into the park’s famed hot springs, lakes, rivers, gorges, and of course its renowned geysers—and far from the crowds of tourists! Immerse yourself in magnificent music, varied wildlife, and stunning scenery in this one-of-a-kind special when you explore all four seasons of Yellowstone National Park with PBS Passport.
The Caverns Sessions: The Lil Smokies
During our stay in Montana, our days have been filled with hiking, biking, and LOTS of live music! From bluegrass and country to funk and folk, we’ve seen an amazing range of bands performing throughout the Flathead Valley of Northwest Montana, set against a gorgeous backdrop of mountain ranges and glacial lakes. For our music-loving family, we couldn’t ask for anything better! Last weekend, we braved the heat to attend the Under the Big Sky Festival, where we were treated to the talent of bluegrass virtuosos The Lil Smokies. Led by Whitefish native Andy Dunnigan, this homegrown string band formed while busking on the streets of Missoula and is now considered one of the most impressive bands in the American roots music scene. See The Lil Smokies perform their brand of genre bending bluegrass in this episode of The Caverns Sessions with your WTIU PBS Passport member benefit!
NATURE: Peacock’s War
The American West has long been a sanctuary for outsiders—not just those of us who enjoy the out-of-doors lifestyle, but those who may feel hemmed in, out of place, or otherwise uncomfortable in more conventional lifestyles and locales. One such outsider, Doug Peacock, has worked tirelessly as a crusader for the threatened grizzly bears of the West. Fought over the course of more than four decades now, Peacock’s battle has served not only to protect the grizzlies of Montana but has also given the Vietnam veteran a means by which to process his wartime trauma. In this this early episode of NATURE follow Doug, along with his wife, baby daughter, and fellow conservationists, deep into Glacier National Park where, from his base in a fire spotting tower, Doug tracks, protects, and advocates for the great animals that were once nearly extinct in Montana.
In the Americas with David Yemen: Blackfeet and Bison
Abutting Glacier National Park to the east lies the great nation of the Blackfeet tribe. Longtime stewards of this part of Montana, the Blackfeet, like all American tribal people, have struggled to retain their homelands, history, and culture in the face of European and Canadian encroachment. Not easily defeated, however, the Blackfeet people maintain and continue to grow their autonomy and influence over their lands where the Rocky Mountains meet the Great Plains. Join host David Yetmen in the Blackfeet and Bison episode of In the Americas to learn more about this remarkable tribe of native people as they seek to expand their once-threatened herd of bison; then venture inside the eastern edge of Glacier National Park to learn why the Blackfeet view this area as sacred land.
Moveable Feast: Montana
Earlier I mentioned that our days in Montana have been filled with outdoor activities, but one activity I failed to mention was eating! From bison burgers to huckleberry pie, the food in Montana is next level. With a short growing season and easy access to livestock ranches, the food scene in Montana makes the most of its fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Tempt your tastebuds when you tune in to Moveable Feast: Montana with your WTIU PBS Passport to explore a collection of locally-owned ranches and gardens and learn how to make a Vietnamese vegetable salad alongside a Korean-style leg of lamb, set in the magnificent landscape that is uniquely Montana.