Fish Creek House - Making Montana Memories and a Dream Come True

Samoa, Heart of Polynesia by: David StanleyThe islands of Samoa are emerging as an exciting new South Pacific travel destination between Hawaii and New Zealand. This “Heart of Polynesia” is politically split into two distinct entities 80 miles apart. The country Samoa is a former German colony, captured by New Zealand in 1914 and granted independence in 1962. In 1997 the name was changed from Western Samoa to Samoa.American Samoa is the only U.S. territory south of the equator. Annexed by the United Says for use as a naval base in 1900, the territory no longer has any military significance. Instead, Pago Pago currently hosts the StarKist and “Chicken of the Sea” tuna canneries, making it the most important commercial fishing port under the American flag.The Samoan environment is tropically lush, with green volcanic peaks plunging to brilliant coral reefs, an ecotourism paradise still unspoiled by mass tourism. Visitors often stay in open Samoan beach houses called fale (pronounced FAH-lay) and adopt the laidback local lifestyle. Swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, surfing, deep sea fishing, and hiking opportunities are all close at hand.Samoan culture is alive and strong, and local traditions can add another fascinating layer to your travel experience. Most Samoans are subsistence farmers who reside in small villages governed by chiefs (matai). The egalitarian ideals of this communal society place loyalty to family and religion above all. Visitors can sample this culture at the weekly “fiafia” island night dance shows staged at most of the larger hotels and beach resorts. Buffets of authentic Samoan dishes are an essential part of these events.Samoa’s climate is sultry, alternately sunny and rainy, but always hot and humid. Cooling sea breezes make the shoreline the best place to be yearround. The nicest months weatherwise are May to September, “winter” south of the equator. The rainy season runs from November to April, with increasingly intense hurricanes sweeping in due to global warming. Yet you can get long spells of bright sunny weather even during the “rainy” season, and Samoa’s excellent Vailima beer (created by German brewmasters) tastes ideal at this time of year.Most visitors spend their time in independent Samoa, which is considerably more massive and less high-priced than American Samoa. However the rugged scenic beauty of Tutuila, the main island of American Samoa, should not be missed. In recent years some of the most strikingly beautiful parts of the territory have been incorporated into American Samoa National Park. There is great hiking on Tutuila and wonderful snorkeling on Ofu in the seldom visited Manua Group.Traditional Samoan culture is largely based on oratory, and it’s no accident that several literary legends originated here. Robert Louis Stevenson spent the last five years of his life in Samoa and is buried on a hilltop above Apia, the capital. His mansion is now a museum dedicated to the author. Somerset Maugham’s short story “Rain” about Sadie Thompson and the repressed missionary thrown together in a guesthouse at Pago Pago, American Samoa, has been adapted by Hollywood several times. The original guesthouse still exists, now an upscale restaurant and inn. In “Tales of the South Pacific,” James A. Michener based the prototype of his character Bloody Mary on an Apia hotelkeeper named Aggie Grey, whose family still operates Samoa’s largest resorts. Michener’s book was later made into the musical “South Pacific.”Getting to Samoa is easy with direct flights from Hawaii and Los Angeles on Hawaiian Airlines, Polynesian Airlines, and Air New Zealand. Local ferries and small commuter planes ply frequently between the islands, and getting around by public bus or rental vehicle is no challenge. Visas are not required by most visitors for entry to either Samoa, even though a passport and onward plane ticket are mandatory.

Fish Creek Home - Making Montana Memories and a Dream Come True by: Cid and Dan BusarowWHITEHALL Cindy Buscarow fulfilled a childhood dream when she moved to Montana last May. Another dream was reached two weeks ago when she and her husband, Dan, opened Fish Creek Home, a bed and breakfast just outside of Whitehall.

“When I was young I always told my parents I wanted to live in Montana,” said Cindy, known as Cid. Living in New York and later California, Cid did not know how that would quite happen.

Dan, a partner in a personal business and gunsmith, and Cid, a bi-athlete, came to Bohart Ranch near Bozeman to compete in the running and shooting competition and fell in love with the area. The search was on for property in Montana. For Dan, he was returning to his roots. He lived in Malta until he was five.

The couple found a beautiful log home located on forty acres with gorgeous views of the mountains and a stone’s throw from Fish Creek.

The house was purchased and a large renovation started.

“We’d drive up from California each month to see how the progress was going,” stated Cid.

During one of their trips, they took a hike down to the creek and when Cid looked up at the log home nestled in the hills, the name Fish Creek House came to her.

With the renovation complete and the licenses involved with a bed and breakfast approved, Fish Creek House is officially open for business.

The couple looks forward to sharing their home with guests, and those with horses as well. A new barn and round pen have been built for the couple’s horses and although they are not offering trail rides, guests are welcome to bring their own horses and board them in the new facilities.

“We want accommodate people who arenature loving. We will make you feel like part of the family while you’re here,” said Cid.

One of Dan and Cid’s specialties is shooting and plan to host shooting clinics for enthusiasts.

Another specialty of Fish Creek Home will be the food. They offer a gourmet breakfast for their guests and with their own personal greenhouse, the vegetables will be organically grown on site.

The inn offers two guests suites, each with a private bath, a massive living room with a stone fireplace, a library and a sitting room, complete with a microwave and a fridge. Fish Creek House is also a place where the active businessperson can stay in touch. They offer wireless internet in each of the rooms and are considered a “wifi hotspot.” The Buscarow’s have swiftly introduced themselves to the local Chamber of Commerce. They have offered their services to build a website for the Chamber and are in the process of doing so. They’re also community minded business people and have used custom made Montana pieces in their guest rooms.

“The beds were made by the Amish,” said Dan. The couple also uses local artwork to adorn the rooms.