Bozeman, MT

For those of you that had noticed some clouds in the sky yesterday, Montana absolutely made up for it today with a crisp, cool, sunny day. We went to breakfast at our 'usual' spot and made a plan to firstly go for a and to check out Big Sky tomorrow as it was on the way to Yellowstone NP.

On our way to our hike/bike we drove around what we thought was the campus last night but actually transpired to be a lot of churches and some new condos. The University was a State one and wasn't actually as big as we had first thought, needless to say we drove around the campus and had a look at the students and the buildings. All very nice but nothing remarkable.

Then on to Emerald Lake, an 11 mile hike in the Hyalite Canyon. Ollie and I started off first as we were on foot, then once Steve was ready he biked up to us, Ollie just wanted to be with whomever was going first and fastest - not me on either count. So Steve would go ahead, wait for me to catch up, then go ahead etc. The hike was a stunning trail through the woods, winding up Hyalite Canyon in and out of the trees, meadows and streams. We were absolutely in Bear Country which did worry me somewhat especially when I passed some trees with huge gorges from bear claws (gulp), Steve soon calmed my fears by telling me that not only were there black bears which will "stay out of your way" but that there were Grizzly Bears too who "want to kill you" fabulous. You just bike ahead with the dog and I'll creep up the trail on my own, singing songs and whistling fun tunes...

Luckily, no such encounters were had. It was a seemingly never-ending trail 'just around the next switchback' was uttered so many times I gave up thinking we'd ever get to the top, just when it opened up in to a meadow and seemed to be just the place for an Emerald Lake, the path would wind back in to the woods and climb once more.

Soon enough our efforts were greatly rewarded as we rounded a corner and there was a spectacular lake, absolutely worthy of it's name, glistening in a meadow surrounded by tall peaks, pine trees and lush green grass. It was quite break taking and worth the up hill climb.

Then to turn around and go all the way back. Steve and I played Leap Frog, not in the literal sense as he was on a bike... I would go ahead with Ollie, then Steve would come past, Ollie would run with Steve, they'd go on for a bit, wait, I'd catch up and so forth. On our way down I couldn't help but notice that the sun was moving out of the canyon and that it was getting a little dark. Soon enough I reached the bottom bear-encounter-free, Ollie passed out, Steve and I loaded the truck and set off back to our condo, on the way back we made reservations for supper had a quick change around and headed out.

Now we are back after an absolutely delicious supper, fit to rival any restaurant I've ever eaten at - it's late, we're both a little achy and nicely tired and Ollie is snoring soundly on the bed (soon to be moved to his bed). An excellent day was had by all.

Tomorrow, Big Sky and Yellowstone NP. The next blog will probably be Thursday sometime as we are camping.