Working our way North

Hello world, Mikaela again!

I’m writing from a really pretty campsite in Northern Montana. Its pretty incredible up here. The forests are tall and dense and the undergrowth is crazy! Big snowcapped peaks and beautiful mountain lakes and streams. Its reminds me more of the forests of the Pacific Northwest than of the Rockies. We are really close to Washington up here, so I guess its not that far off!

Yesterday we spent the day in Yellowstone. I loved showing Topher all the places I discovered with my dad last summer and exploring some new ones together! Mercifully, it was overcast and cool so we were able to leave Kenzie in the car and do some of the geyser walks. We drove through Hayden Park towards the end of the day, a beautiful valley covered in sage and rivers, and saw bison after bison which was really sweet! On our way out of the park, we saw a group of bison with two calves! One was very playful and kept headbutting his mom – heartmelting!

The terror I kept expecting to feel about this trip hit me today. Overwhelmed and scared and emotional. We’re on the trip of a lifetime, but its also really scary. We’re about to leave the US and have no idea what to expect. I’m hoping it’ll be all smooth sailing, but I know we’ll hit rough spots. I’m really glad I have Topher and Kenzie by my side.

Kenzie is loving life. She’s like a toddler even though she’s ten and a half. She wakes up full of energy and ready to go and then is asleep and snoring by 6 each night. I think she likes the trip so far. “So we live here now?” has been the confused and happy look on her face every time we stop.

Random learnings so far:
▪Dry ice is expensive, melts fast and makes your fruit fizzy.
▪Finding gyms with a free trial day pass is the key to a free shower.
▪Sleeping in the car is much cozier than the tent and prevents the irrational fear of bears invading camp from occuring.

Much love!
MIK

Wild daisies and a candle making our camp homey

Somewhere beautiful in Montana