BOZEMAN TO GARDINER, MT

9/21

     Wow! What a fun day today has been!! From Bozeman to Yellowstone should have taken us, oh, maybe two hours without stops. Can we ever do a trip without stops? Of course not!

BOZEMAN! I think I may change my town of choice for my next life to Bozeman. It's not far from Yellowstone, there is a good selection of restaurants and shops, a short drive will take you into some of the most beautiful country we have ever seen, and it has a phenomenal grocery store! I'm sure you're shaking your heads in disbelief. Folks, you've never been to Rosauer's, the grocery store to end them all. We just happened to be passing by the store when I remembered that we needed some stuff—not a lot, but who knew what Gardiner would have. When I walked in the front door I was simply stunned. The door opened into the hugest produce department I have ever seen in a grocery store-- bright, colorful , well-organized and full of a big variety of exceedingly fresh vegetables.

And a very friendly young man named Mike who told me all about the store and what a great place it was to work here.

Just after talking with Mike, Bill walked in the door, and the look on his face was priceless-- absolutely goggle-eyed! Our little trip to the store turned out to be at least an hour, as we wandered into the various departments. Organic produce and food, a pharmacy, natural foods, herbals, vitamins, etc. Not just a few shelves, but whole departments. Great beer and wine selection, prepared foods, salads, bakery.

 You name it, they had it, but the ambiance was also wonderful. I must have had 4 people ask if they could help me; everyone smiled; customers were friendly and chatty; checkout folks helpful and fun.

Out of Bozeman we took a back road that led up the mountain and eventually turned into a good gravel road. We saw homes of all sorts, some McMansion-types and some ranch types, old and new. There appears to be a good bit of money out here, and many of the large homes were built way up into the hills. We stopped for long along the road-- very little traffic-- and had lunch. Pulled out the chairs and ate our sandwiches looking into the meadows and hills.

The land was for sale, we don't know how much of it or for how much, but we found the house of our dreams, nestled into the brush!!

    Not far from Yellowstone we stopped at a rest stop to play ball with Xian. Soon thereafter an Anerica Asia Tour bus drew in and disgorged a slew of Asian folks, who instantly zeroed in on Xian and his activity.

 

Cameras clicked, people giggled, asked questions, took pictures of each other by the river and had their pictures taken with the “wolf” who complied like the star that he is. I chatted with the tour guide-- Chris from Vietnam-- who gave me a lot of info about their company and tours to China. As the group started slowly toward the bus, Xian investigated the bus and decided to get on!! ( He much prefers bigger rigs!) We ushered him quickly out, as some of the people who didn't get off the bus weren't quite sure how they felt about him. Finally we got in the pickup and waved goodbye to the group. A short way down the road I mentioned the info Chris had given me, but that I hadn't gotten any particulars on him or the tour. In an instant, we are turned around headed for the rest stop. Before we could get there, along the road came the bus.

You got it-- Bill stopped the truck, leaped out and flagged down the bus. Much more laughter from the bus as Chris wrote down the appropriate information, and Bill gave him a big hug.

Ah, that husband of mine-- never a dull moment!     

    Once in Gardiner, where the north entrance of Yellowstone is located, we booked into Rocky Mountain RV park-- we were lucky to get a spot. The weather has been great, and we are definitely not the only people traveling. The family of home-schooled kids is also in this campground.