Montana is the Best State Ever!

Alright, Montana is by far the most epic state we have visited so far. Hotsprings, wildlife, dramatic peaks, and complete American freedom are just a few of the wonders to be enjoyed here.

After driving through the Upper Peninsula, Northern Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota we landed in Gardiner where our good friend Dave is working at a hostel at the north entrance of Yellowstone- right on the river. Check out the North Yellowstone Hostel if you are ever that way- the staff is extremely accommodating and helpful, the place is right on the river and gorgeous, and the town is pretty fun too.

View from the Hostel

Dave fixin up some trout

I had a bit of fish fever when we got to Montana (left over from Michigan no doubt) and epic fly fishing and salmon fly hatch on the Yellowstone fueled the fire no doubt. So we did a lot of casting, ate some tasty trout, and spent numerous hours relaxing by the river.

Annette's gorgeous Cuthroat

Funny story about this nice rainbow: I was running my stone fly along the bank and had this fish rise at it three times in a row- and I missed him every time. On my fourth cast I notice Annette's fly a few inches from mine going over where the fish was feeding, and well... You can see how it goes.

Ranger Dave on Ramshorn

Seeing Dave was awesome, he showed us some great hotsprings (both primitive and developed). If you are ever that way check out the Boiling River! It is arguably the best spot on planet earth.

Chillin at Chico Hotsprings

This is the boiling river... The water coming in on the right is hot- boiling hot, and the rest of the river is cold water coming from snow melting in the high country. So you can imagine how awesome this is. Playing with the currents and finding the best spots between cold and hot to relax or play. 

After a few days of hanging out at and around the hostel we went into the backcountry of the Gallatin National Forest to climb some peaks and chill at Rams Horn Lake for a few days.

Rams Horn Lake

Cross country travel

Ridge between Fortress Peak and Ramshorn

Fortress Summit

Headstands on Ramshorn Peak

Right now it should be worth noting that we saw at least one eagle every day for the first six days we were in Montana- which is pretty damn American.

After getting back to civilization and having a bit too much fun in town Annette and I hit the northbound road towards Glacier National Park- and took a pitstop at the Panda Buffet in Bozeman, which was (in my opinion) the best decision ever made.

Annette may have had different feelings about the encounter.

But then it was all good in the backcountry of Glacier- which is incredible! I mean incredible! The best mountains I have seen ever. So here are the few pictures we got before our camera died....

After a three night hike from Two Medicine over the pass and how the Park Creek drainage we were on the road again and picked up Annette's mom Ellen in Missoula. Now we are relaxing in Scenic Idaho with the family and loving it!

More to come!