Blogs from Bozeman, Montana, United States, North America - page 5

If we thought it was time for a lazy day we were happily mistaken. We got up a little late to find the usual ritual of Sarah and Joe sitting out in the back garden drinking iced coffee, reading the paper or doing university work. Joe had been keen to get us on another one of his favourite local loops, so suggested we load up the truck and head out on a ride through and around Bridger Bowl, the local ski field. Our night was also planned as Sarah and Joes good friends Mark and Amy were recently married and having their delayed reception to which we had somehow scooped an invite. We arrived at Bridger Bowl and unloaded the bikes for our grinding ride beneath the chair lifts up the ski field. Always strange to ... read more

With needing to be back by 8.30am to return the kayaks for the next rental booking, we were up bright and early and back along the slow bumpy dusty road. With kayaks safely unloaded we all felt we deserved a hot coffee and cooked breakfast. Just what we needed after a few super days of high activity. It was a long drive back to Bozeman so with that in mind we kept pushing on. Just like the drive up, it was beautiful and the best way to see Montana. There were a many small rivers and lakes on the drive but the biggest by far is Flathead Lake. Massive in size and by the look of some of the real estate with impressive houses and boat ramps, its beauty was not lost on many people. With ... read more

DAY 1- After a little lie in then relaxing in the magical Bozeman retreat garden, we set off to the Bridger Ranges. Although the ranges were slightly hazy due to bush fires in California we could still see the local beauty. Some mountains still had a little snow on them in which crazy skiers hunt down for that 10-20m summer ski run. After about 45min drive through beautiful pine forest, we reach our destination Sacagawea in which we were going to hike to the top of. So with hiking shoes on, we set off upwards through Alpine Pine forest, past patches of snow, streams and wildflowers of many colours, above the tree line, along a gusty ridge and then straight up for another 20mins or so. The views from the top were amazing, although we were ... read more

Day 15 July18 Windermere to Bozeman When we turned on the car it was great to see we were back in the range navigation system. We had to rely just on MAPS for the last couple of day. The first stop back in the States was perfect. A duty free joint in Roosville, Montana (no relation to Hannah, girls) named The First and Last Chance Bar. It was about 10:00 in the morning and both patrons were already deep in their cups along with the bartender, who had a vicious little dog he said did not like anyone, except apparently the two of us. I think maybe it wanted to be rescued. We were also happy to see ice machines and big drink fountains in the first store across the border - a pump your own ... read more

Here is a short entry to let you know what I did on my birthday! I attended Montana States American Indian Council (AIC) Pow Wow and had a rip roaring good time. It was nice to get a chance to see a bunch of people one last time before I left the state, eat some delicious fry bread, and see some amazing dancing and drumming. Little did I know that the head advisor of the AIC had something special planned for me on Saturday night. That evening they honored me with a dance, a song, a bunch of gifts (including a Pendleton blanket), and all the fry bread I could eat for the weekend! It was a great gesture of appreciation, and I can not put it in words how much it meant to me. It ... read more