After catching up to present day in my last post, I have once again fallen behind on these updates. Mostly I blame the lack of internet (and phone) connection for the last week or so, but I’ve also just been taking in the scenery, enjoying the trip and the fresh air.
We left the very enjoyable town of Bozeman on September 29, with a farewell from my inspiring college friend, Deia, and the proprietors of our new favorite coffee house, Zocalo. Thanks to Luke, Ryan, Sam, and Hannah for hosting us all week at one of their tables with wifi and tasty coffee.
Heading north to Missoula, the big sky view was really impressive, especially as a rain storm brewed among the mountains. It is truly amazing how far you can see in the rolling hills, and the combination of bright sunlight and falling rain was somewhat magical. We only received a few raindrops that afternoon but I enjoyed seeing the forces of nature at work around us.
Draught Works Brewery was our first stop in Missoula for beer on the patio. Talking to some locals brought other suggestions so we went to explore the nightlife of Higgins Street. Sunday brought a visit to Trailhead, a fabulous local outdoor store where Adam talked shop with the knowledgeable staff about gear, hikes, climbs and other things to do in the Bitterroot Valley.
A stop at the Tamarack Brewing Company for some tasty brews (Adam found a good stout, I had a delicious apricot ale called Sip ‘N Go Naked) also brought some good food. The beer was delicious, and we shared a fabulous, unique burger but the highlight was the Sriracha aioli on the side. Fantastic flavors. We’ll have to try to make that one when we have a kitchen once again.
Off we went then with plans to hike and climb that got put aside as we saw the extent of forest fire smoke hanging in the area. We did a few short hikes, found a small brewery, and drove through the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge just as the bright moon rose from behind the mountains. Adam got some good pics as the moon rose especially bright, even through the haze from the forest fire smoke.
We camped that evening in the Bass Creek Campground, as some of the only campers there, then headed back north into the city the following morning. And then came the sandwich… On a recommendation from Pete at the Northern Lights Trading Co. in Bozeman, we found Tagliare’s for a sandwich. Unwrapping it on a park bench downtown, the MegaDeath offered sights and smells of beauty. Perfectly crusty bread with the right amount of olive oil, a variety of meats, cheeses, and peppers, and a tasty pickle. Half was just the right amount for a meal, but I think I could have eaten two just to savor the flavors. I would hate to say that Missoula for me was defined by a sandwich, but I highly recommend visiting the deli if you’re anywhere near it. I can still taste it 3 states later.
We visited 3 more breweries that afternoon, Bayern, Kettle House, and Big Sky (home of Moose Drool beer and our first beer mug purchase), before heading north along Flathead Lake to Whitefish and Kalispell. The drive through the trees and along the lake was beautiful, especially as the sun went down. Adam was experimenting with photos of a smaller lake and the moon, getting some really neat reflection shots as the sky darkened (see the gallery below for an example).