Montana!!
Posted on Wednesday, October 15th, 2008
Posted by Ammie:
We spent the weekend in Montana, Saturday and Sunday in my birthplace, Bozeman! After a long drive in from Hayden, Idaho, (We left around 1030/11P after our show at Daanen’s Delicatessen, and arrived in Missoula MT at about 345- although the clocks did jump forward an hour. I slept in a parking lot for about three hours, then got up and attempted to drive again- Adam took over though, thank goodness!) we rolled in to Bozeman just in time to miss the tailgate and the first half of the MSU game. It was windy and snowy, but we bundled up and met up with Aunt Jodi, Uncle Ed, Katie, and Jessie for most of the rest of the game. Unfortunately, they had to leave right away for Katie’s cheer back in Butte, but it was really nice to see them, and they fed us some awesome tailgate leftovers, which mixed interestingly well with the snow that peppered it…
After the game, Dad and Dawn met up with us to lead us over to his friend Mary & Rob’s house, who treated us to an amazing feast of prime rib and some good entertainment from everyone on the Wii rockband… The next morning, we bundled up again and headed out to our appearance on Sunday Brunch on “The Moose” radio with Elle Fine, who we had a blast talking with, and flattered us by opening up the phone lines to give away some of the EP’s and OOP cds!! She also hooked us up with Beth from Chaos Hats, who gave us some super cute and really warm beanies, Adam’s hasn’t left his head since!! (no really, look at any of the pics since!)
A feast awaited us when we got back to Mary’s house post interview… I must have eaten at least 8 each of pancakes and sausage…
One thing we should’ve gotten a picture of is the “polar bear” hot tub experience that night… you’ve never really lived until you have gone in a hot tub in the ice and snow…
(This is the night before, in similar weather…the hot tub is to the left!)
The next day, we headed to Yellowstone Park, with a few goals in mind: Adam, to see a grizzly bear (which we are told do still live in the park!) and me to see buffalo again. I’m sad to say that to date, no grizzly bears (maybe it’s because Adam kept announcing that he wanted to wrestle them- they were afraid of the challenge!!), but I guess for my part, you should be careful what you wish for!!
Bad timing - I blinked - It was bright outside!! and the buffalo laid down...
We had a great time with Dad and Dawn; we checked out all the cool spots I remembered from when I was a kid- the geysers and paint pots, as well as Old Faithful (which we had to go back to see today, because it erupted early the first time, and we missed it!) And Dad treated us to an awesome breakfast and dinner (I had buffalo steak!) at the restaurant in the Holiday Inn in West Yellowstone, where we got amazing service both times!
It was still really bright out!
Quite possibly the coolest part of yesterday was going to soak in Boiling River. You hike down (in all your warm bundled clothes!) to the birth of the Boiling River, not far from where the normal river flows, where scalding water somehow flows out from the rocks, forming its own little river for several yards, until it spills over into the river, which is ice cold, forming natural “hot tubs”. In some spots, the water flows over the rocks into the river, and there are small caves you can sit in like a natural steam room. It is exhilarating, especially when you randomly are surprised with a current of cold river water! Dad told us that the Native Americans would take their elderly or sick to these sacred hot springs, which have healing properties. (The first picture is where the hot water comes out of the rocks. As you can see, the blinking thing was a theme for the day…)
This morning we woke up to our first (and hopefully last!) “illegal camping” ticket. Apparently it wasn’t okay to park on the street like the hotel attendant told us. Bummer. Especially since there was no one else in any of the spots or the lots, as most of West Yellowstone was closed up for the season!
Today we made the long, slow drive out of Yellowstone, and as we speak, we are headed for Cody, Wyoming, a town that we are hoping is large enough for a Walmart (Home sweet home!). I should probably actually get on that investigation.
So, thanks for reading, and- um, check back periodically, as I have started a couple of other blogs, and intend to post them, so they will show up magically in the midst of Adam’s already posted blogs. You know me, I love to keep ya on your toes! ; )
You guys are one hot couple. Adam, your hair is very nice. Don’t ever cut it. Love, your secret admirer…
You guys are moving right along. Trying to keep up with your posted schedule and looks like you’ll be in South Dakota tonight. Gets a bit flatter now as you head east; probably colder too. We think about you guys all the time…keep it going.
Dad
You guys are awesome! Thanks for the update. I vote you the best couple to show the America people all the good things we have in our country. Only if we could focus a little more on those things! Small towns and small businesses are the very heart of America. Thanks for your tour to remind us of how blessed we are and thanks to all those who have welcomed you along the journey. Our prayers are with you!
Shit. I don’t think you have a budget for illegal camping tickets. Better set another date. In the meantime – those are some pretty sick beanies. Nice job Ames! Kisses to you both!!