The 4 mile hike brings you up the side of the mountain along fairly rocky terrain for the first leg and then up a much steeper incline as you near the top. The rocky trail that had roots jutting into it was actually very enjoyable to hike...up. Due to the sheer force of gravity however the way back down was much more difficult. When we reached the top and looked out over the beautiful valley below we decided it was one of the best hikes we had done yet even with the severe winds forcing us down more quickly than we had initially planned. Then I very literally stumbled down the mountain. By the end of the gravel road our brakes were smoking and Vandrea had overheated.
A good side note: When your car overheats do not turn the engine off, instead put it in park and let the engine continue to run until it is safely cooled down. Also turning on the heater can help cool it down more quickly.
At our low point we got the opportunity to see the best Montana has to offer- its kind people. I was already impressed with the fact I hadn't had a single car ride my ass even though we don't know the speed we're going most the time (broken speedometer) and the van's lack of get up and go usually means, though specifics are impossible, that we are well under the speed limit. While letting Vandrea pout a woman stopped and not only checked to see that we were OK but also offered her house, her phone and her husband's mechanic skills. If people from Washington are helpful than people from Montana are saintly.
Once things had cooled and the brakes were no longer smoking we were able to drive again. As a precaution we decided to spend another night in Bozeman. This left us open for exploring the town a little further. All but braced for disappointment we drove around the downtown area.
It was there we happened upon the Bozeman street festival. Once a year the town shuts down about 12 city blocks of downtown and has a party in the street. At every block a band was playing, our favorite being the upbeat Skavacado, and food vendors everywhere.
With the exception of a lack of stand up comics, Bite of Bozeman was in all ways superior to Taste of Tacoma. I got perhaps the food deal of my lifetime.
As the sky turned darker and things began to close up vendors were desperate to unload their food. (All to my boon. I got a Yellowstone grass fed beef cheeseburger, with spicy blue cheese dressing and fresh local greens for $1. Well, being $1, I actually got 4).
Another booth was practically giving away wontons and so I asked a guy eating one what was in it. In response he offered me a bite.
To see true generosity in action visit Montana. (Oh, we also found verification that Bozeman has a young and stylish contingent and not, as it first appeared, that half the town had moved away. For a truly depressing town consult our next post).
View from top of Sacajawea hiking trail
Sacajawea hiking trail
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