Bozeman, Montana

So my expectations were correct and I absolutely love Montana. We went to a wonderful brewpub tonight for dinner and beers, Montana Ale Works, where the beers--each one that I tried--were so delicious, and the food was just as good. The people in Montana are welcoming, willing to reach out and talk to you, wherever you may be from.

Heeding our Ale Works server's advice, we walked down Main Street and checked out a few bars, though most of them weren't as happening being that it's Sunday. We stopped at 317, where I had a wonderful conversation with Bozeman local Dick Shanahan, who is an architect and world traveler. We discussed Bozeman, Robert Pirsig, Montana playing the Blue Hens, our trip across the country, and the economy. I was dismayed to learn that he intends on voting for McCain in the fall, but was happy to hear he admires Obama's charisma and that he didn't sound too upset of Barack were to win. He was a worldly and interesting gentleman to talk to, and really made me excited to be in Bozeman.

We continued on to the Crystal Bar, which had a hodgepodge of different people--probably an accurate assumption of the Bozeman population. We didn't stay for long, only for a drink, but I was still convinced that the city (on regular nights, maybe not usually Sundays) is a hub for young people situated at the heels of a beautiful mountain range, where the possibilities of this world are endless. I'd certainly like to come back (I joked with Matt and Jeff as the mayor of this city) to spend some substantial time among the mountains.

Tomorrow we're waking up early again to go to Yellowstone (an absolute once-in-a-lifetime must according to Dick), Grand Tetons National Park, and ending up in Jackson Hole, Wyoming tomorrow night. So, until then....!