Montana is home to two of America’s most popular national parks, and many of the twelve million visitors who travel to Big Sky Country each year include both Glacier and Yellowstone in their plans. It’s about a day’s drive between these two western jewels, and there are dozens of routes road trippers can select to build their journey. There are also thousands of travel guides on the shelf that provide information about the region, but Big Sky, Big Parks is a unique among them, a blend of history, culture, and local flavor that’s more of an entertaining travel companion for those visiting the two national parks and the vast chunk of Montana that connects them. Author Ednor Therriault shares his experiences on the road and in the parks with humor and insight in 36 stories that chronicle the triumphs and tragedies that make traveling between Glacier and Yellowstone such a rewarding endeavor. Discover the reasons behind Yellowstone’s devilish place names and read about Butte’s version of Disneyland in this road trip handbook/travelogue that features insider tips on regional delicacies, interesting places to lay your head, local trivia, and even road trip playlists to provide a soundtrack to your Montana adventure.

Ednor Therriault brings the wit of a humorist, the fact-finding tenacity of a journalist, and a deep Montana pedigree to his work. His father, a decorated Marine pilot, was born in Missoula. His great-great-grandparents homesteaded along Douglas Creek in the Flint Valley in the late 1800s, and his grandfather mined for gold in Garnet, now Montana’s best-preserved ghost town. Therriault also studies Native American history, and recognizes the importance of including Indian culture and narratives in his depictions of the complex history of Montana.

Therriault has spent more than 20 years exploring Montana from corner to corner. He’s authored two editions of Montana Curiosities, revised the current edition of Montana Off the Beaten Path, and has completed work on Yellowstone Myths and Legends, which includes in-depth historical information on Montana’s gateway communities of Gardiner and West Yellowstone.