07/01/2025
A must read for all future guests to Little Trail Creek! 🚘I just may have to add this into our rental contract ! 🤭
Welcome to the Treasure State! We thank you for visiting our beautiful and large state. We realize many of you come from physically smaller states with roads which have many lanes, we don’t do that in Montana. Here are a few tips for you so you will feel the welcome of our friendly residents.
1. The posted speed limit. Yes, we have one….no we don’t follow it. You will see the signs on I15, I90 and I94 showing an 80 MPH limit for passenger vehicles. You will also notice a 1995 Dodge pickup with Montana 50 plates (the numbering system is our code and we won’t give you the details, so don’t ask) blow by you at 85. This is totally acceptable for a Montana resident. “5 You're Fine – 6 You're Mine” is the deal we made with the Montana Highway Patrol.
Now you may find this odd as you are visiting from California and got stopped doing 82 after being passed by the 1995 Dodge. This is also part of the deal we made with MHP. Out-of-Staters pay for our Highway Patrol. Just pay the fine and be happy we don’t have a Sales Tax!
You may feel you have a way around this Out-of-Stater tax by renting a car. We have planned ahead and all rental cars have Montana 7 plates for ease of identification. The folks who moved to the Flathead are mainly from California anyway, so they must deal with the perpetual tax…again be happy we don’t have a Sales Tax. The speed limit variance does not apply to School Zones or Work Zones – don’t try it, just slow down and follow the posted signs.
2. The passing lane on the Interstate. You will find the passing lane on the Interstate normally void of vehicles, this is on purpose. It is designed for you to be able to overtake the vehicle in the driving lane. Once you overtake the vehicle in the passing lane, you return to the driving lane. Pretty straight forward isn’t it? Now, we have seen a number of Out-of-Staters who don’t understand this, Washington we are looking at you. GET OUT OF THE PASSING LANE!
If you have a momentary lack of concentration because of our idyllic natural scenery, we understand. If a vehicle behind you flashes their headlights at you, this is a signal to move over. If you choose to not move over…. may God have mercy on your soul. Mad Max was based on a specific incident west of Butte in 1976. Don’t make us repeat it….get over.
3. Cruise control. Again for those who visit from smaller states with larger populations, you may not have been able to use your automobiles convenient cruise control. Cruise control has been standard on modern vehicles for the past 40 years. Find your preferred speed – 1 or 2 over the posted limit – set the cruise and relax. You will find the driving lane comfortable and scenery most enjoyable at this pace.
If you choose to not use the cruise control you may notice your speeding up and slowing down results in agitation to the farmer in the seed cap who you have passed and then been passed by…then you passed and were passed by…and…and. This is a major cause of rage among the seed cap set. Mad Max Beyond the Thunderdome was loosely based on a series of events near Dillon. SET YOUR CRUISE….again Washington this is directed at you specifically.
4. 2 lane highways. Most of the roads in Big Sky Country are 2 lane highways. They twist through river bottoms, climb mountain passes and cruise along fields and pastures. You may notice traffic piling up behind you as you enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Enjoy! GET OUT OF THE WAY! The three cowboy hat wearing individuals in the 2003 Ford pulling a horse trailer have seen the wonders and they love it. They have real cowboy stuff to do. They also do not want to stop and take a picture with you. They also will not let you ride their horse…if they do let you ride their horse what is about to transpire is for their enjoyment alone – just sign the legal release and let them set up their cameras. Similarly, don’t ask to wear their hats. Wearing their hats gives them legal right to the person wearing the hat, they and you may be into that, which is fine – but be aware you are contractually obligating yourself.
Traffic piling up behind you is one thing – the other part is merging onto a 2 lane highway. If you see a pickup and trailer or a semi coming at you, do not pull out in front of them. They are hauling their livelihood and care more about the occupants in cab and trailer, than they do about you. There is a grill guard for a reason and they will run it straight through your Prius. The likely hood of the breaks and lights working on the trailer are limited anyway. DO NOT PULL OUT IN FRONT OF A PICKUP AND TRAILER!
Thank you for visiting Big Sky Country. Please do business with local shops as much as possible. You came this far for a reason – try the local selection of food, beverage, and retail shops. Thank you for your attention. *Do not end up on the FB page, “Tourons of Yellowstone”!
