Weekend destination: Montana

We were tired of heading west. Seattle is great and a stop at Ellensburg (Ellensburg Pasta Co. - yum) and Thorpe's market is part of the fun, but after so many repetitions it just gets old. So this time we aimed the other direction.

If you're looking for a quick, inexpensive trip before summer's out and have done the West Coast, head for the morning sun. Like many around here we've enjoyed Glacier National Park before (no bears yet, but a couple of moose) and hit Hot Springs on the way for a soak, but this time, we made a couple of new discoveries.

Just a few hours away is Polson, Mont., at the edge of Flathead Lake. Not much in town, but folks, this is a must-do: Museum of the Americas. We've passed it right on the highway and never noticed it.

It looks like a dump. A literal junkyard with rusted aircraft and cars visible from the outside. Never judge a book by its tacky cover.

Five bucks provides a surprising experience. This place is amazing. When the lady said "minimum of two hours and that's if you jog," I thought yeah, sure. We were there longer and didn't see everything.

That's what they have - everything. A two-headed calf, really. A Nazi bicycle with mounted gun. A dozen antique motorcycles. Countless classic cars, a huge old boat, fire engines, and a gorgeous carriage-hearse circa 1800s. Munitions, poignant war items and photos, a working player piano. Bring a quarter.

Outside it is junky, but what junk. Fighter aircraft and a Vietnam war helicopter you can climb into. An old-time schoolhouse, store, hair salon, optometrist and jail. Do not miss the dentist's office - terrifying. This museum may not look like the Smithsonian but it's just as memorable for its contents.

An hour more gets you to Kalispell and Glacier National Park. Fifteen minutes past Kalispell is Whitefish. Don't miss the gondola at Big Mountain (and take a sweater). We found a little trail and had a mountain-top picnic surrounded by grand views and no one else but the birds and flowers for company.

How lucky we are to live in the Northwest.

Sholeh Patrick is an attorney and a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. E-mail sholehjo@hotmail.com