Keep Calm and Carry On

Events of 5/27 and 5/28

     After our disappointment at Glacier, we decided to drown our sorrows in huckleberry treats.  Unbeknownst to me, huckleberries are all the rage in Western Montana.  We stopped at a store advertising Huck Pie.  We grabbed a slice of pie, huckleberry soda, and mistakenly huckleberry water.  I thought it was all quite tasty but Zoe thought otherwise.  We couldn’t shake the huckleberry taste for the rest of the day.  

     After filling our bellies, Zoe requested we go on a hunt for antlers.  After a few stops, she finally met a crazy man that gave her a good deal.  She’s excited to hang them on her wall upon our return.   

      Heading out of the Glacier area, we had our sights set on Missoula where we had a tipi booked for the night.  While in Missoula, we visited the local history museum, which had a great collection of WWII posters.  

     We also took a self-guided tour around the University Of Montana campus, but unfortunately everything was closed due to the Memorial Day holiday.  Despite this, and the wet weather, Zoe was still a big fan.  Maybe if she chooses Montana, we’ll get to see a glacier someday.

  

     Next we headed to Beavertail Hill State Park, the site of our tipi.  We were impressed with the tipi, but decided to set up our tent inside for extra protection. 

     After arranging our room, we decided it was the perfect time for a campfire.  Unfortunately, the ground was wet and we weren’t able to find dry twigs.  After quite some time trying to use paper and logs, a friendly neighbor came to our rescue.  He used his axe to chop the logs and had a fire going within minutes.  So much for our fire building skills!  Overall, I found the tipi quite warm and cozy, but Zoe didn’t feel the same way. She ended up sleeping in the car due to the cold weather. 

     The next morning we packed up camp and headed for Yellowstone.  On the way we stopped by Chico Hot Springs, a resort famous for its 98-degree pool filled with natural water from a near-by hot spring.  We just stayed for a quick dip before heading on our way.  

     Upon arrival at Yellowstone, we talked to a park ranger who suggested activities for a one-day visit.  The first thing on our list was a hunt for wildlife.  We saw fields of bison, an elk, big horn sheep, antelopes, little rodents, and even a grizzly bear!  The grizzly caused quite the traffic jam with travelers in each direction trying to stop for a glimpse.   Luckily, we were able to get a few pictures before the rangers came to disperse the crowd (they're on Zoe's camera, so you'll have to wait until we get home.)  

      Later in the day, we explored the mammoth hot springs.  The formations look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book.  I left Zoe behind and climbed all the way to the top, rewarded with magnificent views.  That night we stayed in the Mammoth Hotel which dates all the way back to 1937.  We later found out it’s haunted.  Luckily we didn’t run into any ghosts!