While Sedona (I Left my Heart and Soul in Sedona.) is still one of my favorite places ever, Montana is hands down my absolute favorite state in all the United States 🙌🏼. I’ve seen photos of this beautiful state for years, only being able to picture visiting it in my mind. Being able to finally visit, and by car – which is the best way to experience any state, in my opinion – was such a blessing and privilege. I love the mountains, and Montana gave me everything I ever wanted and expected 😍. I’d jump at the opportunity to visit again.

I was on a 2-day road trip with my friend, which began in Phoenix, Arizona (Phoenix, Arizona: Volume 1.🌵), with our destination being the top of the panhandle of Idaho (The Idaho Panhandle: Esto Perpetua.). Our route took us the entire length of Utah from south to north, then through the eastern half of Idaho, before entering into Montana. We then drove through the entire western half of the state for approximately 6 hours. I later came back to Montana twice to first visit the amazing giant cedars (Ross Creek Cedars, Montana: Some Really Big Trees.) and then to explore epic Kootenai Falls (Kootenai Falls and Suspension Bridge (Beautiful Montana).)

While the drive is mainly done on the I-15, a major U.S. highway that is typically quite jam packed, the travel through Montana was beautifully light and peaceful. We were able to appreciate the surrounding beauty. We went past small town after small town, as well as through a couple of Montana’s biggest cities, Butte and Missoula.

One unexpected and wild thing that happened while in Montana was the freak snowstorm we found ourselves in. As we approached the Idaho/Montana border, it hit. In mid–June. Oddly enough, this wasn’t the first time my friend and I experienced something like this, which we found comical. However, unlike our failed Grand Canyon adventure that we were forced to abandon due to snow in early June the year prior, we didn’t have that luxury this time. Turning back wasn’t an option, so we had no choice but to push on. As we tracked the storm on the weather app, we pushed through, sitting in silence as we drove 45mph on the interstate.

We briefly stopped in the snow-drenched town of Deer Lodge for gas (home of the historic Montana State Prison – very bummed we didn’t get to visit), then continued on, eventually outrunning the storm. Soon the snow just… stopped, and it was like popping into another dimension. Once firmly away from the storm, it was bright, sunny, warm, and so welcoming. This is the Montana I’ve always pictured in my mind, an exact replica almost. There were mountains, deep bluish-green rivers, and huge, open, royal blue skies with beautiful fluffy white clouds. I fully understood why Montana markets itself as “Big Sky Country” – that’s exactly what it is.

The only place I’ve ever been that can rival the beauty of Montana are the fjords of Norway (Norwegian Fjords: Beautiful, Magical, Breathtaking.).

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Overall, this blog is more of a shout-out to Montana, plus a chance to plug other blogs 🤪. Joking aside, Montana truly is the most beautiful state I’ve ever been to. I’ve yet to visit Alaska, so we shall see if Montana maintains the crown after that! But for now, this gorgeous, peaceful, friendly, relaxing state firmly holds the title.

P.s. After leaving Kootenai Falls, I stopped along the way a few times to take pictures. There was one photo opportunity that I had mentally bookmarked on my way to the falls, which I was able to find again on the way back. Here is where I snapped one of the best scenic pictures I’ve ever taken (please see above). As I was out snapping these pics, a truck drove by, stopped about 50 feet away, slowly turned around, and came back towards me. I thought “Great. I’m about to be featured on some true crime podcasters weekly podcast”. Luckily for me, it was just an elderly couple wanting to make sure my car hadn’t broken down or that I needed help, something I appreciated immensely. I constantly met super nice and helpful people like this up in Montana and Idaho. ❤️