W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA NA . C O M
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of a stop in Browning until spring returns. For many residents, the
closing of Serrano's Mexican Grill at the end of September, marks
the true close of summer. is is the residents' time now.
As brilliant as the summers in East Glacier are, the falls and
winters are most memorable to me.
When I asked DeeAnna Brady-Leader, a long-time resident and
advisor with International Traditional Games, what set East Glacier
apart, she answered with a story... Years past, a white-out made the
14 miles to Browning all but impassable. DeeAnna and her hus-
band loaded up and followed a line of cars attempting to make the
drive out. After almost 20 cars became stuck in the freezing, driving
snow, an East Glacier resident drove his 4x4 and spent the next few
hours rescuing those stranded. Elders first, of course.
As we stood beside the house built by her late husband, we
listened to the wind through the golden aspens. With a small smile,
she said, "e wind shapes us."
Was it the landscape and weather alone that drew me back here?
Was that the magic?
e unpredictability of the weather is something Joe Matt and
his family have experienced for generations. ey've worked cattle
and leased land to ranchers in the area for generations.
On one snowy October afternoon, they worked through driving
wind and snow to move a herd from their summer high pasture down
to a lower winter grazing area. I watched as cattle and calf were fun-
neled off the ridgeline into a small valley with precision and care. With
small dogs nipping at their heels, man and beast worked together.
Grinell Lake,
Glacier National Park
DeeAnna Leader sits in her East Glacier living room,
paintings by her late husband hang on the wall.
DeeAnna's shed. Sometimes the tools we use can
give a window into how we interact with the land.
