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Driving defensively is always smart, particularly in the winter. Snow and ice are unpredictable, and even if you've driven for decades, the conditions can be challenging. Here are some defensive driving tips for this season. Winterize Your Vehicle Regular maintenance is important, and preparing your car for the cold weather and harsh conditions is even more important. Make sure you're coolant is fresh, has anti-freeze properties, and is at the proper level. Water may work in the summer, but it will freeze in the winter and seize up your engine. more Replace worn tires for better traction in snowy and icy conditions. If possible, use a winter tread designed for snow. Check your battery, too. Cold conditions can kill a battery, and the last thing you want is to be stuck somewhere waiting on a tow truck to jump start your battery. Keep jumper cables and other gear you may need in your vehicle. Sand bags in your trunk add weight, but they are also good for spreading over ice to give you better traction. A flashlight, snow shovel, ice scraper, and snow brush are also must haves. Get your car winterized at Taylor's Auto Max of Great Falls, Montana. Practice Braking Find yourself an empty parking lot when the snow or ice is heavy and practice braking. Even drivers of four-wheel drive vehicles should practice. Remember, it's four-wheel drive, not four-wheel stop. Anti-lock brakes act differently than regular brakes. Anti-lock brakes will pump automatically to prevent losing control. Regular brakes will simply skid, so you have to pump them on your own if your car begins to skid. Steer Into a Skid If your vehicle begins to skid, you should steer into it. Remember to pump the brakes in this situation, too. When the brakes lock, the tires aren't moving. Your tires only have traction when they are turning. Increase Your Driving Distance It takes longer to bring your vehicle to a stop with ice and snow on the ground. Leave yourself plenty of space when the weather conditions are at their worst. You should also drive slower when conditions get harsh. Slowing down means you'll stop quicker, even if you begin to skid. Driving in Snow Your vehicle is harder to control in heavy snow. Avoid driving in white-out or blizzard conditions, as your visibility can be severely impaired. It's hard enough to drive in the snow, but if you also can't see, it can be downright dangerous. Prepare for the Worst This is especially important for longer trips to places you're unfamiliar with. In addition to the essential winter items to keep in your car listed above, you should have blankets, warning flares, and medications. If you break down in a remote area, don't run your car constantly. Bundle up under your blanket, and only run the vehicle enough to keep it warm until help arrives. No matter how long you've been driving, it's important to drive defensively when the weather turns wintry. Follow these six tips to stay safer on the roads when Mother Nature has other ideas. Image via pixabay.com

When the temperatures start to drop and snow begins to fall, Great Falls, Montana, comes alive with a variety of exciting things to do. If you're looking for some of the best events and activities to enjoy this year in Great Falls, check out a few of these top options. Parade of Lights The official kickoff to the holiday season in Great Falls begins on November 30 with the Parade of Lights. During this annual event, a parade that features a procession of beautifully decorated floats will start on Sixth Street before traveling down Central Avenue. The parade will then end with Santa Claus lighting the town Christmas tree located at the Civic Center. While you're at the event, you'll also have an opportunity to enjoy food, music, gift vendors, and more. more Christmas Stroll The festivities don't stop with the Parade of Lights. On December 6, head to downtown Great Falls to take part in the Christmas Stroll. This annual event brings memorable fun, great food, and plenty of holiday cheer to Central Avenue. Some of the special events during the Christmas Stroll include the Polar Plunge, pictures with Santa, Showdown Rail Jam, and KMON Ball Drop. You can also take the kids to Santa's Village so they can write a letter to Santa, decorate cookies, and make crafts. Banff Mountain Film Festival The Banff Mountain Film Festival brings exciting films to 550 communities around the world, and Great Falls is always the first stop on the tour. This year, the festival will occur on November 8 at Mansfield Theater. Although the Great Falls Ski Patrol presents the festival, the films aren't always about skiing. Instead, you might have a chance to watch everything from profound adventures to humorous stories. Plus, not only will you get to enjoy some great films, but you'll also help support a good cause since proceeds of the festival go to the all-volunteer Great Falls Ski Patrol. Showdown Montana If you're looking to get outside and enjoy all the snow that accumulates in Great Falls, there's no better place to do it than at Showdown Montana. This alpine ski area is located south of the city in the Little Belt Mountains. The ski area has a total of 36 trails that range from easy to difficult. You can also stop by the Skier's Edge Pro Shop to get all the equipment you need and head to King's Hill Grille to warm up with hot food and drink. Silver Crest Trails The Silver Crest Trails are another great option when you want to get outside and enjoy nature. These trails are also located south of Great Falls near Showdown Montana. Here, you'll find around 8 miles of groomed trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing and 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails. The gently rolling terrain and forest setting make these trails good for all skill levels. When you're ready to have some fun in Great Falls this winter, you know you'll have a great time when you check out these top activities and events. Image by mendo_video_productions via cc by 2.0

If you're looking for a truck that can handle all of your adventures and look good doing it, you need to get behind the wheel of a Nissan truck. Nissan has three awesome trucks available in its lineup. Learn more about the features you'll find in each truck so you can decide which one is right for you. Nissan Frontier The Nissan Frontier is a fun and rugged truck designed to keep up with all of your adventures. On the outside, the truck comes standard with a chrome grille, tailgate spoiler, and rear privacy glass for extra style. You can also get the Frontier with convenient available features that include heated side mirrors, fog lamps, and automatic headlights. Inside, you'll find all the features you want in a truck, including an infotainment system with a 7-inch touch-screen display, Siri Eyes Free, Bluetooth connectivity, rearview camera, available dual-zone automatic climate control, and available auto-dimming rearview mirror. more When you're ready to hit the road, the Frontier has two excellent engine options to give you all the power you need. It comes standard with a 2.5-liter engine that delivers 152 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. It's also available with a 4.0-liter V-6 engine that pumps out 261 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque. Nissan Titan If you're searching for a new Nissan that delivers outstanding capabilities, you need the Nissan Titan. This bold and brawny truck comes with a 5.6-liter V-8 engine that combines with a seven-speed automatic transmission to generate 390 horsepower and 394 pound-feet of torque. Plus, whether you want to tow a trailer or haul lumber, the Titan offers a maximum towing capacity of up to 9,240 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of up to 1,620 pounds. Even though the Titan is all about delivering impressive power, that doesn't mean you won't enjoy a comfortable ride when you're on the road. In fact, the truck has a variety of comforts and conveniences inside, including available heated and ventilated front seats, an available heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an infotainment system that comes standard with a 7-inch touch-screen display, Bluetooth wireless technology, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Nissan Titan XD When you play just as hard as you work, you need the incredible power offered by the Nissan Titan XD. This truck has two engines designed to deliver the strength you need. The 5.6-liter V-8 engine offers 390 horsepower and 394 pound-feet of torque, and the Cummins 5.0-liter V-8 turbo diesel engine produces an impressive 310 horsepower and 555 pound-feet of torque. Plus, not only is the Titan XD powerful, but it's also smart. With the available remote engine start system with intelligent climate control, you never have to worry about getting in a truck that's too hot or too cold. Plus, thanks to the available NissanConnect services, you can remotely lock and unlock your truck, find where you parked your vehicle, and more. When you're ready to get your next vehicle, take one of these Nissan trucks for a spin to discover even more features that you're sure to love. Image by Nissan USA

Shopping at a thrift store has a variety of benefits. First, you can find unique items at budget-friendly prices. Additionally, your money often goes back into the local community to help those in need. If you're interested in doing some thrift store shopping in Great Falls, Montana, check out a few of these top options. Runway Fashion Exchange If you're looking to update your wardrobe, but you don't want to spend a lot of money doing so, head to Runway Fashion Exchange. Here, the same pair of jeans that you can find at the mall for $100 will only cost you around $10. This means you can easily get more than one pair and a few new shirts as well. Plus, if you need to clean out your closet before you can get anything new, Runway Fashion Exchange will pay you cash for your fresh and trendy clothing. more A Time or Two When Angie Seabury opened A Time or Two, she wanted to make it possible for everyone to look great without spending too much on clothing. That's why her store offers high-quality clothes without a high price tag. A Time or Two specializes in classic pieces that will look good year after year. If you feel like you need to completely refresh your wardrobe, stop by and let Angie pull some pieces for you to try on. You never know how many amazing outfits you'll be able to purchase. Habitat for Humanity ReStore If you're doing some renovation or remodeling around your house and you need building materials, stop by Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Contractors and businesses that have leftover, unwanted, or returned items they can no longer use donate the goods to this home improvement thrift store. While inventory can change daily, you'll often be able to find area rugs, cabinets, flooring, appliances, hardware, tools, antiques, and furniture. Even better, proceeds from the sales help fund home construction in the area. Once Upon a Child Sometimes, it might seem like you put your children to bed wearing one size and they wake up the next morning wearing a completely different size. To help keep your children in the right size and keep your budget happy at the same time, check out Once Upon a Child. This thrift store specializes in gently used baby gear, toys, and children's clothing and shoes. You'll also find all the items you need to help your children get through the changing seasons, including rain boots, snowsuits, hats, mittens, and gloves. St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store has an excellent variety of just about everything you need. You can find gently used furniture, appliances, clothing, household items, and more. Plus, every purchase at the thrift store makes it possible for the charity to help the community by providing meals, clothing, diapers, utility assistance, and other services. Whether you're looking for new clothing or furniture for your home, you know you can find unique items and great deals when you shop these excellent thrift stores in Great Falls. Image by bellaellaboutique via cc by-sa 2.0

If you're shopping for your next car, you should look at what Nissan has to offer. Their engineering has produced some of the best vehicles on the road, each equipped with the features to take your drives to the next level. Here are a few reasons why you should consider buying a new Nissan for your next vehicle. A Nissan for Every Style Nissan has models to fit every need and lifestyle. Whether you're looking for a capable sedan or hatchback, a fuel-efficient hybrid, a powerful truck, or a family-friendly SUV, Nissan has you covered. For those who want to make every drive feel like a day at the track, Nissan's sports cars are reasonably priced and exciting. If you need to upgrade your business fleet, their cargo and passenger vans are unparalleled. Nissan's wide selection of options lets you choose your own adventure. more Take some time to explore each model to find the perfect fit for you, your family, and your driving style. From the worksite to busy city streets, you can choose the ideal Nissan for your needs. Nissan Intelligent Driving Nissan is constantly developing new ways to enhance the way you travel the world in your vehicle. The Nissan Intelligent Driving suite of driver-assist technologies is a strong example of what the future of driving looks like. These driver-assist technologies use radars to look out for what's happening on the road around your vehicle. The automatic emergency braking system detects vehicles ahead of yours to warn you if a possible collision is coming and apply your vehicle's brakes if you haven't done so in time. The blind spot intervention system lets you know if a vehicle is in the next lane before you make the move. Lane intervention helps keep you in your lane when you don't have your turn signal on but drifting is detected. These features of Nissan vehicles help you stay safer than ever on streets, highways, and parking lots. Better Tech Newer Nissan models feature some of the best vehicle technologies available today. These state-of-the-art features enhance your drive, keeping you more entertained and connected. The NissanConnect touchscreen displays you'll find on many models are compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to let you stay on top of your busy schedule. These programs use many of your favorite phone features directly through your vehicle. Search for and find directions to a new restaurant, check your text messages, make phone calls, check the weather, and much more, all through voice commands. Download the NissanConnect app to perform tasks like remotely starting your car, locking and unlocking your doors, and finding your Nissan in a crowded parking lot. Upgrade to Nissan's premium navigation system to always know where you are and where you're going. The list of Nissan's impressive tech features is extensive. When you're ready to discover your next Nissan vehicle, come see our team at Taylor's AutoMax in Great Falls, Montana. Let us show you why Nissans are some of the most exciting vehicles on the market. Image by truckhardware via cc by 2.0

'Tis the season, and that means it's time to get your shopping done. If you're in the Great Falls, Montana, area, you're in luck.  There are plenty of options to choose from, whether you're looking for local offerings or name-brand clothing.  Here are the best places to shop near Great Falls: Downtown Great Falls Shopping local often brings the biggest surprises, and you can feel good about supporting local businesses. For one of the best local shopping experiences, head to Great Falls' downtown area. Many of the local favorites call this shopping and entertainment area home. You'll find over 30 businesses here that specialize in a great array of items. Grab a cup of coffee at one of the quaint coffee shops before exploring the stores. Get your outdoor gear at Bighorn Outdoor Specialists. Stock your kitchen at the Great Falls Original Farmers Market, and get your tea at In Cahoots For Tea. Buy the perfect gift at Candy Masterpiece, Dragonfly Dry Goods, and Adam & Eve. You can easily spend the whole day shopping in downtown Great Falls. Holiday Village Mall If you're looking for the brands and stores you know, head to the Holiday Village Mall. Whether you're trying to find your next outfit or check off items from your Christmas shopping list, Holiday Village has you covered. You'll find department stores such as Hobby Lobby, JCPenney, Scheels, and Ross here. If you're looking for small clothing stores, you can shop at Buckle, Zumiez, Tradehome Shoes, among others. GameStop, Spencer's, Hot Topic, Claire's, Bed Bath & Beyond — you'll find it all at the mall. For the greatest amount of options in an easily walkable space, Holiday Village Mall is a great option for speed shoppers. Great Falls Marketplace The Great Falls Marketplace is another great shopping area that offers plenty of options. The many free-standing stores in the area let you get through your shopping list quickly. These stores include Barnes & Noble, Home Depot, Pier 1 Imports, Office Max, and more. If you want to make a full day out of your trip, see a movie at the Carmike 10 Theater and have dinner with the family at Chili's or Taco Del Mar. When you need a great selection of specialty stores to get what you need, the Great Falls Marketplace is where you need to be. North 40 Outfitters Here is where you get all the items you need to keep your life running. North 40 Outfitters has a great selection of apparel, as well as farm, ranch, home, and garden needs. Get the tools you need for the job, the car parts for your fixer-upper, and your home upgrades at North 40. You'll also find a great section for outdoor gear here. Whether you're getting ready for your hunting and fishing trips, preparing for the campground, or looking to get out on the water, you'll find everything you need here. Good luck on your shopping expedition. If you want to get it all done in one day, visit any of these shopping areas and stores to make small work of your list. Image by JD Hancock via cc by 2.0

If you're shopping for a new sedan, you have plenty of great options; however, you might be hard-pressed to find one better than a Nissan Maxima. It's been rated the number-one large car in initial quality by J.D. Power for two years in a row. If you want specifics, here are a few more reasons you should consider buying a new Nissan Maxima: more Standard Muscle One of the greatest things about a Nissan Maxima is that you don't have to move up the ladder of trim levels to get a powerful sedan. Right out of the gate, the base-level Maxima S is equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that produces 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. This is standard for every model since the Maxima came back in 2016. So, no matter which year's Maxima you get, you can expect more power than competitors' base models. Top-Notch Tech As you move up those trim levels — S, SV, SL, SR, then Platinum — the features start flying. Some of the most impressive are the technologies that start showing up. For the 2019 Nissan Maxima, you'll already have remote engine start, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless ignition, and more when you start with the S. It also comes with an 8-inch touch screen that's compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, features that other competitors make you work for. The SV comes with driver-assist technologies, a premium navigation system, and a Bose audio system. The SR adds even more driver-assist tech. Even the seats are full of tech. Heated and ventilated front seats keep you relaxed in any weather. The power-adjustable driver's seat lets you fit your Maxima to you — not the other way around. Performance SR For a Maxima that's more equipped than some muscle cars, you'll want the SR. The SR is the Maxima's sporty model, and it delivers an always-exciting driving experience. Punch the Drive Mode Selector to Sport Mode to experience the Maxima SR's full potential show. The sport-tuned suspension, large front stabilizer bar, and monotube shocks make for a comfortable, smooth ride. Take hold of the SR's steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters to give your Maxima a racing manual feel. If you're looking for the most exciting sedan out there, only the SR will do. Nissan Intelligent Mobility The Nissan Intelligent Mobility suite of driver-assist technologies will change the way you maneuver through the city streets and highways for the better. This suite includes the automatic emergency braking with a pedestrian detection system, which scans the road ahead for potential collisions and applies the brakes for you in close encounters. The rear automatic braking system stops your Maxima before you hit the parking garage wall, for example. Blind sport warning makes changing lanes easier than ever. These are just a few of the technologies in this suite that Nissan developed to keep you and your car out of harm's way. When you're ready to get behind the wheel of your new Nissan, come see us at Taylor's AutoMax in Great Falls, Montana. Image by M 93: „Dein Nordrhein-Westfalen“ via cc by 2.0

If you're in the Electric City without plans for dinner, consider yourself lucky. Great Falls has a great selection of restaurants that will satisfy any craving. Rather than hopping into the fast-food drive-thru, check out these places to eat near Great Falls: Dante's Creative Cuisine If it's a fine dining experience you're looking for, take a date to Dante's Creative Cuisine. Just below the Missouri River, Dante's brick building serves up great chef-inspired cuisine that will make you want to come back for your next celebration. Dante's is big on steakhouse specialties and Italian food. Whether you're looking for a prime rib dinner or pasta with bread and salad, this restaurant has you covered. Roadhouse Diner For a delicious burger you'll need a nap after eating, head to Roadhouse Diner. They grind and hand-patty their own burgers every few hours to ensure you're getting the freshest cheeseburgers in Montana. Go for lunch and grab their classic Roadhouse Burger, or get adventurous and get the Widowmaker, which is a two-patty burger covered in ghost pepper bacon and three types of chopped peppers on top. If that's not crazy enough for you, they have a PB&J Burger that's exactly what it sounds like. This burger joint is not to be missed by aficionados of the American classic. Suki Cafe Dim lights, soft music, and authentic Asian food — if you're looking for a sushi roll made with expert hands, try the Suki Cafe. In addition to a lengthy sushi menu full of favorites, you'll find soups, appetizers, pad thai, teriyaki dishes, and more. This is one of our favorite spots for date night, but it's great for any occasion. 3D International Restaurant If you've never been to the source of the glowing 3D neon sign across the river, it's time to make the journey. It's 3D International Restaurant, and it's a great place to cover all your family's dietary desires. This restaurant is most well-known for their Mongolian grill, but you'll also find food from everywhere else in the world as well. Start in Italy for your pasta dinner, come back to the U.S. for a cheeseburger, stop by the Atlantic for a halibut dinner, and follow it all up with a slice of chocolate cake. If your crew can't agree on a kind of cuisine — don't. 3D's has a little bit of everything. Smoked You've heard of Kansas City barbecue, and you've tried the Memphis stuff, but if you haven't had Montana barbecue, you don't know what you're missing. Smoked is one of Great Falls' best barbecue joints, and their slow-smoked meats will keep you coming back for more. Get your pulled pork, beef brisket, hot links, and more by the pound, on a bun, or on a combo plate. Whichever you choose, you'll love this restaurant's tasty creations. Whatever you're feeling at the time, there's a Great Falls, Montana, restaurant that has your craving covered. Explore these and the many other great restaurants in town to find your new favorite spot, or just try something new. Image by Roger Lee Photo via CC BY 2.0

The Great Falls, Montana region is one of the most visited places in the country. This is in large part because of all the fun things to do in the area. Great Falls is home to national parks, the Missouri River, water parks and more. Here's a list of some of the top activities you can enjoy. Electric City Water Park Located on 100 River Drive South in Great Falls, the Electric City Water Park offers tons of wet and wild fun. The Flow Rider wave machine is three rides in one. Enjoy the Lazy River that flows a quarter-mile around the Flow Rider in only three feet of water. For a little excitement, you can ride the Rip Tide slide into the Lazy River. For a truly exhilarating ride, you can surf the continuous wave atop a bodyboard on the Flow Rider. more The park features the Mitchell Pool, Montana's largest outdoor heated swimming pool. The pool is a combined competition-size swimming pool, and a deep water extension that serves as the splash zone for the Power Tower Plunge slides. Climb to the top of the 20-foot tall Power Tower Plunge water slide, featuring two 160-foot slides. The park even features Little Squirts Soak Zone, the largest kiddie splash pad in all of Great Falls. Giant Springs National Park One of the main attractions to Great Falls is the Giant Springs National Park. This 4,500-acre park covers both sides of the Missouri River. One of its main features is the spring itself. First recorded in 1805 by the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Giant Springs is the largest freshwater spring in the country. Visit the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, and learn from these explorers about this beautiful landscape's discovery. You can walk or bike the River's Edge Trail, view the amazing Rainbow Falls from its scenic overlook, and visit the state-run fish hatchery and learn all about farming fish. The park has miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, paved bicycle trails, and a picnic area along the Missouri River. If you like to fish, the park includes a fish pond outside the hatchery for the novice fisherman, or you can test your angling skills along the river's bank. Hunting is also provided courtesy of a land grant that accesses an area full of wild game birds and deer. Permits are required so be sure to check with park officials first. First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park For a truly amazing look at how the Native Americans and early settlers hunted Buffalo, come to Buffalo Jump State Park. You'll see one of the largest Buffalo Jump sites in the country. This sandstone cliff stretching over a mile was used to stampede buffalo over its edge to their death. The Education Center on-site details how the indigenous peoples used this tactic to hunt using interactive learning fun for the whole family. With so much to see and do in Great Falls, the next time you visit you should check out one of these three places. They're sure to make the day an enjoyable one. Image by AllAroundTheWest via cc by-sa 2.0

The crossover sub-compact SUV has gained in popularity year after year, and Nissan has been leading the way with the Rogue Sport. It fits nicely between the smaller Nissan Kicks, and it's big brother the Nissan Rogue. In 2020 Nissan is going all out, equipping every Rogue Sport with their Safety Shield 360 Technology.  Here are some of the safety features you can enjoy on the all-new 2020 Nissan Rogue. Automatic Emergency Braking With Pedestrian Detection Nissan uses advanced radar technology to monitor the speed and distance of the vehicle in front of you. It alerts you if you need to slow down, and will automatically apply brake pressure if it detects a collision is imminent. It can even stop you when it detects a pedestrian in your path. more When backing up, the Rogue Sport's Rear Automatic Braking system senses stationary objects you might not see. It will automatically stop the vehicle, lessening or preventing the impact of a possible collision. Rear Cross-Traffic Alert System This system uses the same technology to monitor the areas around the rear of your Rogue Sport. The Rear Cross Traffic Alert system is particularly useful in that crowded parking lot. Backing out of a parking space your Rogue Sport scans the area behind your vehicle. If it detects an approaching vehicle it will alert you, saving a potential collision. Blind Spot Warning System Highway driving always presents potential hazards as cars drive at high speeds. The Blind Spot Warning system uses technology to monitor the road to either side of your vehicle. When it detects a vehicle entering a blind spot it alerts you with audio and visual cues. These cues give you direction, allowing you to make safer driving decisions. Lane Departure Warning System Most people have taken a long drive before. Road trips are fun, but they can often lull a driver's attention. Other distractions also happen, both inside, and outside the vehicle. If little Johnny spills his drink in the back seat and starts crying, that can be very dangerous to the driver whose attention is now directed not at the road, but at little Johnny. The Lane Departure Warning system monitors the lane you are in. Should your attention wander, leading to your vehicle drifting from its lane, the vehicle will send you visual and audio cues to alert you, bringing your attention back where it belongs. ProPilot Assist Technology The ProPilot Assist feature now offered on the Rogue Sport is Nissan's integration of adaptive cruise control into its suite of driver assist features. The system monitors the vehicle's speed and automatically adjusts based on the traffic situation at hand. There is a lot to like about the new 2020 Rogue Sport. Come out and test drive one today and see for yourself why Nissan's Rogue Sport is the compact SUV you should be driving. Image by Crown Star Images via cc by 2.0

Montana is home to some of the most beautiful land in this country. Its nickname, Big Sky, is well deserved, and there's much to see beneath her big sky. If you find yourself visiting the Great Falls, Montana area, you need to visit Giant Springs State Park. Here are a few sites worth the trip. Hiking & Biking Trails If the tandem names of Lewis and Clark make you feel like stuffing a backpack, lacing up the hiking boots, and heading into the woods for a few months, than you need to visit Giant Springs State Park. The famed explorers, Lewis and Clark discovered the park, in 1805. Rarely in life do we have the opportunity to walk in the actual footsteps of those famous adventurers, but here we can. Giant Springs State Park has over 4,500 acres of land to explore. You don't have to imagine what Lewis and Clark saw, you simply need to go there and see for yourself. The park has over 20 miles of single-track trails perfect for mountain biking and hiking. If that seems to rigorous, then stick to the miles of paved trails and enjoy a leisurely stroll through this wonderland of nature. more Madison Aquifer The park is named Giant Springs because of the Madison Aquifer. One of the largest freshwater springs in the country, the Madison Aquifer pumps out 156 million gallons of crystal clear water every day. An amazing feat, but even more amazing is that the water originates in the Little Belt Mountains some 60 miles away to the south and east. It's estimated that the water takes 26 years to make the journey. One of the more unique aspects of the water is it stays at a constant 54 degrees, no matter the season. In the winter the spring fills the air with steam which then freezes to the trees presenting one of the most magical displays of frozen landscape you will ever see. Fishing & Hunting The Giant Springs State Park is on both sides of the Missouri River. The river is great for fly fishing and rod and reel casting for the experienced angler along the banks of Roe Island. For the novice fisherman, come down to the Family Fishing Pond and try your hand from one of the five docks. Hunting is also great within the park, thanks to a conservation easement from Northwestern Energy. Acres of land are dedicated to hunting waterfowl, game birds, and deer within the easement. Giant Springs State Fish Hatchery Giant Springs is the only park with a fish hatchery within its boundaries. This offers the rare opportunity to see how a hatchery operates. You can see how the hatchery uses the water from the river to fill its raceways, learn about how the fish are spawned, and even feed the giant trout in the show pond. Giant Springs State Park is the most visited state park in Montana. Come and see for yourself the beauty of nature on full display here. Over 300,000 people a year can't be wrong. Image by Tim Evanson via cc by-sa 2.0

The 2020 Nissan Maxima has transformed the sedan into something much more than a car that gets you to work, drops the kids at school, or takes you up to the cabin in the hills. It's a driving experience like no other. Here are a few reasons the 2020 Nissan Maxima will transform your drive. Performance When you think performance, you think engine first. So did Nissan. They put in their 3.5-liter VQ V-6 engine to make the ride an exhilarating one. Engineered with anodized pistons, sodium-filled exhaust valves, and a high-flow tuned induction system, the 2020 Maxima delivers with 300 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque. more Paired with Nissan's Xtronic CVT transmission your commute changes from ho-hum to oh-boy. The Xtronic CVT features Nissan's dynamic step shifting, an adaptive shift controller, and wider gear ratio, resulting in a more adventurous drive. Nissan's independent multi-link rear suspension with monotubed shocks, and a lower stance not only looks great, but it also drives great. The Maxima delivers exhilarating performance and a comfortable ride all in one. Switch into Sport Mode and enjoy sharpened throttle response, increased steering feel, and enhanced transmission tuning for a thrilling ride. The Maxima even has an available Active Sound Enhancement feature that pumps a powerful engine note into the cabin for a pulse raising ride. For a superb driving experience, you can upgrade to the SR trim and enjoy a track inspired Sport Tuned suspension with a larger front stabilizer bar, stiffer springs, and a rear spoiler. When the drive gets fun, you can use the steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, then taking those curves on that short-cut back road is like taking corners on the track. Technology The Maxima's Dynamic Drive Technology suite takes advantage of all the advanced technology available today. Intelligent Engine Brake used with the Xtronic CVT takes engine power and uses it to decelerate. Intelligent Trace Control applies brake pressure to specific wheels to help you hug that corner. Active Ride Control uses engine torque and brake pressure to smooth out your ride over those pesky bumps in the road. Nissan's Brake Assist/Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) works by detecting brake force, and applying more when it senses extreme pressure. The EBD system can even sense when there are passengers in the rear and apply additional brake pressure to the rear wheels to compensate for the additional weight. Comfort What's a smooth ride without comfort? The Maxima is available with diamond quilted leather seats, or the ultra-high-end Alcantara. Zero gravity seats make your drive feel like soaring through the skies. Maxima even has an available Remote Engine Start system with Intelligent Climate Control. Not only can you start your car remotely, but you can also set the cabin's temperature. The Maxima responds based on external climate readings to get your car to the perfect indoor environment. It will even heat or cool your seats before you climb in. There's a lot to like about the 2020 Nissan Maxima. Come in and test drive one today and see for yourself how your drive can be transformed. Image by M 93: „Dein Nordrhein-Westfalen“ via cc by 2.0