I had a chance to fly over the Rocky Mountain Front this morning (Friday), thanks to the Montana Wilderness Association. It goes without saying that I always enjoy my Monday morning conversations with Jim Anderson down at Grizzly Sports in Choteau and I thought, being the unbiased person that I am, that I should check out "the other side of the story". I enjoyed meeting Holly Baker, a Choteau native, the Montana Wilderness Association's Wilderness Campaign Director. Holly has helped organize landowners, politicians, and the press for this summer's overflights of the Scapegoat Wilderness area & proposed additions to the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex on the Front. Bruce Gordan, the president of EcoFlight was in the cockpit and behind the controls as he spirited the four of us across this beautiful panoramic Big Sky pristine land. Bruce pointed out that in their flights over the Rocky Mountain Front highlighting the Scapegoat Wilderness Area & Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act, that EcoFlight has witnessed firsthand how these experiences can change mindsets & balance the debates surrounding Wilderness. JW was on board and served as our narrator...he's been involved with conservation for some 30 years and truly has his heart & soul into preserving and conserving the Front.. It was a great flight but I noticed that as we flew over Grizzly Sports/Grizzly Auto down in Choteau, the plane seemed like it wanted to veer to the RIGHT! EcoFlight, out of Colorado, encourages debate as long as it is based on facts & figures & scientific study. Exposure to the issues is something they encourage with their flights & outreach. One thing is certain, seeing these magnificent landscapes from the air never fails to excite, stimulate & inspire one to learn more, & elicits a deep sense of awe in the world that we live in. Thanks again for a wonderful opportunity this morning. I'm ready to go again!

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