A Woman's Way West

A Trailblazing Life in the Crown of the Continent

A Woman's Way West is the unforgettable true story of Doris Ashley Huffine, who left behind heartbreak and a Midwest farm for the rugged beauty and wild promise of Montana's Glacier National Park. From a fateful train ride west to sixty years of life with a park ranger husband, Doris carved out a pioneering path in one of America's most untamed places. Her story, brought vividly to life by author and family historian John Fraley, is rich with romance, resilience, wilderness, and deep-rooted love for Glacier's landscapes.

About the Author

John Fraley came to Montana as a teenager to attend the University of Montana, where he received a B.S. in Wildlife Biology. He continued his education at Montana State University and received an M.S. in Fish and Wildlife Management. John worked for the state wildlife agency for nearly forty years, mostly in the forks of the Flathead River. He retired in 2017. For thirty-four years he has also served as an adjunct instructor at Flathead Valley Community College, where he teaches wildlife conservation and other courses. John has written numerous magazine articles on the history of the Flathead country. His other books include Rangers, Trappers, and Trailblazers; A Woman's Way West; and Heroes of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. John's wife, Dana, and children, Kevin, Heather, and Troy, share with him a love of wandering around the backcountry of the three forks of the Flathead River.