48
D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 5 - 2 0 2 6
visitbutte.com
(406) 723-3177
Best
St.
Patrick's
Day
Parade
AS DAWN WAS EMERGING
FROM AN EXTREMELY COLD
FEBRUARY NIGHT, THE SKY LIT UP
WITH A PERFECTLY FORMED CROSS.
THE BLACKFEET TOLD FATHER POINT
THAT THESE MANIFESTATIONS ONLY
OCCUR AT TIMES OF EXTREME COLD,
BUT HE WONDERED IF IT MIGHT RESULT
FROM MORE THAN FRIGID WEATHER.
To my knowledge, the little monument no longer exists, and
the Blackfeet lost access to this area many decades ago. But the
Montana plains along the high line still suffer the occasional
deep freeze. The next time you find yourself complaining about
the cold, think again. Be grateful for central heating, insulation,
and all the ways we are protected from its impacts. You might
also pause and give some thought to the intelligence and stami-
na it took to survive in these parts long before we were born.
