A Carousel for Missoula

Sunday August 28, 2011
Jim & Mary’s RV Park  site A7
Missoula, Montana

We got up this morning, put on the running clothes
and headed out in the car for the river side path in
Missoula that we found when attending
the Clark’s Fork Market yesterday.

Driving to go running is something I almost NEVER do.
But the run in the area of the park was just not fun.
Running isn’t great but it’s a lot better with a nice place
to do it.

Turns out the path on this side of the river is
about half a mile in total.  We passed by

These will require further investigation.

But first, the mileage.
Up the stairs and
across the bridge we went

to the
Kim Williams Trail
on the other side of the river.

We passed a river front skateboard park.

David stopped to take a look.

Along the trail,
we passed a ropes course

A large baseball field

Three interesting covered sitting spots

with beautiful nearly hidden carvings

We crossed another very fine pedestrian bridge back
to the first side of the river.

But the bridge led to a street not a path
along the water
so we crossed back and retraced our steps,
where we passed the Missoula
Fire Dept River Rescue and ramp
right down into the river.

Back across the river on our original route
under the River Roots Festival sign

to finish the run, do the stretches

and play around on the salmon
swimming up stream toward the river around the rocks.

Well I played around.

Time for breakfast FINALLY.
Consume those calories I just burned off!
”;-)

We walked by the bike racks on our way “up” town.
There weren’t quite as many bikes parked
here as yesterday so you can see the
the racks  much better.
Each one says
“Missoula In Motion, Bitterroot Welding.”
I thought they were really creative.

Back to the Uptown Diner we went.

I guess these guys parked right
outside the diner were waiting for take out.
Don’t they look a little big for their cruiser??

Inside the diner we  had one of THE best breakfasts ever
(in a restaurant).
The over easy eggs were perfect.
David had home fries, I had hash browns,
both were superb as was the country
sausage and bacon which accompanied
them.  Cooked exactly perfectly.
Don’t go to Missoula without eating
at the UPTOWN DINER!!!

Thus fortified we headed back to
check out this dragon thing.

Turned out it was the Carousel for Missoula
and Dragon Hollow.

What an interesting story.
In 1991, cabinet maker Chuck Kaparich
offered the city of Missoula a carousel
”if you will give it a home and promise no one
will ever take it apart”.
He had spent some of his happiest hours as
a child at the Carousel in Columbia Gardens in
Butte Montana and had already carved 4 horses
and purchased an antique frame in thousands of pieces.

His dream, became the community’s dream.
They formed a board of directors,
Kaparich taught others to carve,
mechanics began restoring the 16,055 pieces
and on May 27, 1995 after 100,000 volunteer hours
38 permanent ponies, 2 chariots, 14 gargoyles, gargoyle
frames, mirror frames and the largest band organ in
continuous use in the US whirled into action.

It is an amazing artistic and community achievement.

The afternoon sunlight made it very hard to take
a picture from “outside” the carousel.

 

Somewhat better inside.

(advance warning, LOTS of carousel
pictures coming up.)

Check out the bracelets and rings on
the dragon’s feet.

The operator, here in the pink,
talking into the mike,
ran the carousel at a VERY brisk clip.

They aren’t kidding about “buckle up.
But it should also say HOLD ON TIGHT.

That was a FAST carousel!!

Don’t know how these folks could lean out
to get one of the rings out of the dragon’s mouth.

OK enough of watching all these folks having a great
time.  Let’s get on a horse and ride!

So that’s two benefits of getting “old”…..
50 cent rides on the carousel in Missoula
and the National Park Pass.   :-)

Here’s my gallant steed

And David’s

A few more of the amazing details and I’ll cut this out.  :-)

And
as if the carousel were not enough,
in May of 2001, over 4000 community members
created Dragon Hollow Play Area next to the carousel
in just 9 days.

The sign outside the carousel is titled
Ride the Dream & Live the Magic.

Its concluding sentences are:

“If Magic can happen anywhere, it can happen in Missoula,
where dreams are followed and promises are kept,
and where people believe in making a life as well as making a living.”

 

Beautiful tile work.

Even  the kids decorated tiles

The names of those who built it are
inscribed on the fence boards.

On both sides!!

I just get more and more impressed with Missoula.
It’s quite a town in MANY ways!