Tag Archives: Montana

Huckleberry Patch Restaurant – St. Regis, Montana

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All Things Huckleberry

Huckleberry oatmeal, huckleberry milkshake, huckleberry BBQ chicken – the menu highlights all things Huckleberry at the Huckleberry (What else?) Patch Huckleberry LemonadeRestaurant in the St. Regis Travel Center. A family tradition has been established; we have to stop at exit 33 when traveling on I90 between Missoula, Montana and Spokane, Washington. At the very least we need a huckleberry lemonade to go.

Our recent visit was well timed for a lunch break starting with a tall glass of the special lemonade. The chilly, rainy day called for hot soup, a rich beef, mushroom, barley. We chose to split a buffalo cheeseburger in an effort to save room for dessert – a crock bubbling over with warm huckleberry rhubarb crisp topped with scoops of vanilla ice cream. YUM! Not a bite was left.

Huckelberry Patch Dessert The menu tells us, “Sweet, tart wild huckleberries grow only in moist mountain areas and cannot be commercially grown. Wild berries are not sprayed with chemicals or fertilizers.” Regional residents tell me natives are very secretive about huckleberry patch locations; they tend to be as territorial as the local bears. Residents, visitors and bears consider the berries a delicacy.

At the Huckleberry Patch, breakfast choices (served all day) include huckleberry flapjacks and huckleberry cream cheese french toast topped with huckleberry syrup, of course. Opt for a huckleberry muffin or bowl of huckleberry oatmeal accompanied by hot huckleberry tea or a huckleberry latte.

At lunch one can enjoy a crisp garden salad with huckleberry vinaigrette dressing and a huckleberry BBQ burger. Dessert selections include pie, ice cream, sundaes, cheesecake, rhubarb and apple crisp – all with huckleberries.

Huckleberry Patch Merchandise If you need something huckleberry for the road Dolly V’s in the gift shop makes homemade huckleberry fudge. One can also purchase huckleberry oatmeal, muffin, cookie and flapjack mixes. Huckleberry candies come in the form of Jelly Bellies, cordials, twists and taffy. For liquid refreshment take along a case of Jackson Hole High Mountain Huckleberry soda.

Looking for gift items? There’s huckleberry lotion, lip balm, bath tea and body spray, probably guaranteed to attract members of the bear family. The extensive gift shop offers a wide selection, especially of Montana souvenirs. How about a Huckleberry Patch mug?

The travel center also houses a convenience store, gas station and Montana-style casino. Make a stop in St. Regis for a huckleberry good time.

St. Regis Travel Center - Huckleberry Patch Restaurant, Montana
St. Regis Travel Center – Huckleberry Patch Restaurant, Montana

*Travel Log* – Spokane, Washington – June 6, 2009

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Helena, Montana – Spokane, Washington

  • Wet and cold – morning in Helena  was chilly and rainy, Bob said he observed occasional snowflakes in the air. Wanting to deny the possibility I called them white raindrops. Climbing MacDonald Pass those white drops accumulated on the windshield but fortunately not on the highway. The rest of the way across Montana and most of the Idaho panhandle we saw rain from light mist to Huckleberry Patch Merchandiseheavy downpours. West of Coeur ‘d Alene we finally began to see patches of blue sky – the first in a couple of days.
  • The Huckleberry Patch in the St. Regis Travel Center at I90 – exit 33 – has become a family tradition. It’s a must stop for Yackels. Everything huckleberry one can image is on the menu and gift shelves. Watch for a posting on the Huckleberry Patch soon.
  • Smiles and hugs greeted our safe arrival in Spokane.

*Travel Log* – Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming – June 5, 2009

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We’ve Had Better Days

Yellowstone National Park to Helena, Montana

  • Bad night – Bob’s not feeling well.
  • Day is cloudy – the sky’s the same color as the steam and sprayfrom the geysers and fumaroles, forecast includes rain.
  • Breakfast at Old Faithful Inn Dining Room.
  • Nancy snaps a few pictures, watches Old Faithful one more time and goes to the temporary visitors center – the new one is taking shape.
  • Grazing BisonWe see a couple of bison grazing very close to the road, also a larger bison herds in meadows plus elk, a pair of nesting bald eagles and a muskrat swimming down the river.
  • Before leaving the park we stop at the Junior Ranger Cabin near Madison Junction.
  • Route US191 from West Yellowstone to Belgrade, goes through the extreme western portion of the park, then follows the Gallatine River for miles and miles.
  • Route US287 from west of Three Forks to Helena – broad valley with mountains in all directions, lots of wheat fields irrigated from the wide Missouri (River).
  • Wingate Hotel, Helena – this is a good facility and good value.
  • No prime rib at Silver Star Steak Company tonight, no Great Northern Carousel ride, no fun!

2008 Travel Favorites, Picks, Best of… Part 2

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Wrapping Up 2008

  • passkeyBest Pork Sandwich – Pass Key’s, Pueblo, Colorado — This is a must stop whenever we’re driving through Pueblo and they’re open. Anyone who grew up near Pueblo or spent time there salivates when you mention the Pass Key Special. It’s an Italian sausage patty and cheese sandwich hot off the grill served with peperoncini and fries. The handful of shredded lettuce may be the only healthy aspect but once in a while we have to indulge.

  • dougBest Piano Bar Entertainer – Doug Montgomery at Vanessie’s in Santa Fe, New Mexico — I and every woman I know who has ever seen Doug perform loves this guy. Fingers that caress the keyboard, charm and carisma all wrapped up in one cute package. His repretoire seems unlimited. After nineteen years at Vanessie’s Doug has a loyal following of Santa Fe locals and tourists.

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    • 2008 Travel Favorites, Picks, Best of… Part 1

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    Wrapping Up 2008

    Everyone seems to be making lists this week. I’ve looked back over this year’s travel experiences and put together highlights and favorites. We didn’t travel as much as usual in 2008 but many fine memories were made along the way.

    • elk-mountain-inn3Best Historic Inn – Elk Mountain Hotel in Elk Mountain, Wyoming — A superbly restored 1905 historic hotel combining the elegance of a by-gone era with the comforts and amenities of the 21st century. Three miles from Interstate 80 but a world away, surrounded by ranchland, this was the best escape we could have imagined. A graduate of  l’Ecole de Cordon Bleu in Paris, Owner/Chef Susan Prescott-Havers, presents an incredible fine dining experience. Susan and husband Arthur are congenial hosts with fascinating backgrounds. An amazing retreat we plan to repeat.

    • water-street-inn2Dream Room – Water Street Inn, Santa Fe, New Mexico – Room 4—We’ve slept around at this Inn for years, staying in many different rooms. This year we found the one I’ll want on every future visit. All the best features we’ve come to expect at our favorite Santa Fe lodging  plus spacious room, kiva fireplace, king four-poster bed, sleeping banco, and chaise lounge create my idea of perfection.

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