Snapshots: Places to See

Up until this point, you’ve probably been convinced that I spent an entire week in Montana, snuggled on my boyfriend’s coach or out taking pictures of the sky. While that may not be too far from the truth, we did manage to fit a few interesting stops and visits into our week of house cleaning and settling in. In fact, we visited three out of five of the largest cities in Montana - Missoula, Bozeman and Butte. The best part? Missoula has short of 67,000 people. After all, the entire state has less people than the city of Philadelphia, and it’s the fourth largest state in the country. (I think that’s what I love about it.)

During our week, we managed to eat out quite a bit. We scored a great gluten-free pizza in downtown Anaconda at a little place called Gallicano’s Pizzeria. I was surprised when it was possibly the best one I’ve had - I didn’t expect Montana to excel in the areas of gluten-free eating or pizza. Better yet, the man at the counter informed us that we could happily pay IOU since they didn’t “take plastic”. We also made it a point to try the chinese restaurant in town (Trevor’s favorite cuisine), and Barclay II, the laughable “fine dining” experience of our week. Breakfasts out were at the local favorite diner, the Copperbowl, and were followed with gambling on poker machines in the attached “casino” room. In Missoula, we stopped at a bar-b-que chain which served the worst caesar salad I’ve ever had - and in Butte, the Montana Club, where they served me avocado with breakfast. Montana stands out in a lot of ways but culinary expertise is not one of those. The best meals of the week were home cooked - pork tenderloin in a mango chutney, gluten free pancakes with caramelized fuji apples, and a delicious (but chilly) bar-b-que.

When we weren’t taking a trip to see other Montana towns, we made it a point to get to know our own. We spent a sunny afternoon walking the streets of Anaconda and peaking into every open store. There was Copperopolis, a stunning home decor and furniture which bears the almost chosen name for the town; Beyond Necessities Gifts; the local florist; the town park; and a quick lunch at Taco Time, a fast food restaurant which serves tator tots as a side with crunchy (and delicious) tacos.

After a double-date for Chinese, we decided to see a movie in one of my favorite town spots, Anaconda’s Washoe Theater. According to the Smithsonian, this place is a national theatre because of its immaculate decor - I don’t think I would argue. The theater was built in the 1930’s and has remained in unchanged, pristine condition, since. Each week, they show one movie - each day at an 8:00 p.m. show time. While Scott, Michelle and Trevor eagerly enjoyed “the Avengers,” I enjoyed an after-dinner nap. The difference in altitude takes a few days of adjusting and in the meantime, I napped twice daily. (That in and of itself was worth the trip.)

The theatre is not the only part of town which feels as though it’s not of this time period. The Copperbowl, the local laundry mat - even my boyfriend’s home, as well - feel as though they haven’t changed in years. As Trevor explained it, “Anaconda is not as remote as it is antiquated and non-crowded, with charming out of this world scenery.”

Though I enjoyed my quiet week in Anaconda, I was excited to make a day trip to visit the University of Montana in Missoula. Thankfully their graduate school was able to fit me in for a last minute appointment and Scott and Michelle were kind enough to take us. We were able to tour the campus, grab some coffee (and chai!) and get the information I needed about what next fall will hold. While in Missoula, we also ventured to Costco, Home Depot and Starbucks. After all, if you’re going to make the drive to the “city”, you might as well do it right.

As you can see, we managed to fit quite a few things into a quick stay but my list of “things to see” for my summer in Montana is growing. After all, Trevor promised me a road trip to Yellowstone. Until then, I will try to be patient, make my list longer, begin to pack, and continue to be thankful Trevor actually uses the webcam I bought for his birthday.

June Photo a Day Challenge: Week 1

For the past few months, I’ve tried to play along with the “Photo a Day” challenges hosted by fat mum slim but it’s never seemed to work out - this month, I’ve vowed to make it through all thirty days. Today marks the end of week one and so far, so good. As you can tell, I’ve been loving instagram lately and with my busy schedule, my iPhone seems to be the camera in my hands most often (the cute little tape labels were put on with the app “LabelBox”). You can follow along with all the participants by searching for the hashtag “#junephotoaday” or you can follow along with me here. So far, I’m really enjoying these little daily prompts and so, I thought I’d share my first week of photos with you!

Day 1: My favorite kind of morning. I melt every time I see this picture.

Day 2: An empty bottle of Gruet, our favorite champagne. 

Day 3: They may not have been on a plate, but these Peanut Butter M&M's served as my lunch while flying home. Trevor got me hooked while I was away!

Day 4: Homemade guacamole - an unhealthy obsession & my go-to summer snack.

Day 5: This sign marks the gate to the breezeway at my new house - I hate it, and this photo.

Day 6: With the hot sunny weather we’ve had, a straw fedora is perfect when sitting on the balcony.

Day 7: My favorite drink - Diet Dr. Pepper, yum.

Check back each Thursday to see the pictures for weeks 2, 3 and 4 - and while you’re at it, join in!

Snapshots: Through the Tahoe Window

One of the things I love about Montana is that it’s not crowded - little towns and “cities” are spread apart, connected only by highways with 75 mph speed limits. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), that means a lot of time spent traveling - especially since we visited Deer Lodge, Bozeman, Missoula and Butte, during my seven day trip. It’s hard to complain about the commute when the scenery lining the highways is so beautiful and ever changing, though. One minute you see mountains and evergreens - the next, open plains with almost desert like qualities. Plus, I secretly love going for drives in my boyfriend’s big red Tahoe (with all of it’s space and heated leather seats). Countless times on our trips, Trevor pulled over so that I could take just the right photo. Other times, like for these snapshots, I simply used Instagram as he continued along at eighty miles an hour. It’s good to know that in twenty-three (hopefully short) days, we will be making the drive from Bozeman to Anaconda once again.

Snapshots: “Home Sweet Home"

It’s official - in twenty-four days, this is the place that I will be calling home (until September, that is). 1100 E. 5th Street is a cute, quirky, little home complete with red wooden siding, a green shingled room, a cozy backyard and a long list of things to do. While in Montana, I joined Trevor, Scott and Michelle for a trip to Home Depot where we chose bathroom materials and building supplies to begin the process of repairs. I was lucky enough to be in Montana for Trevor’s first meal cooked in the new house - steak and corn on the cob, yum. Even better, I was able to take over the kitchen (and all of it’s retro appliances) to cook him a birthday dinner - gluten-free pasta with chicken, bacon, tomato and avocado. We spent much of our week settling into this new home, cleaning the yard, snuggling on the couch, taking care of school work and being thankful for the days that we could sleep in. (Of the more than 7,000 photographs I’ve taken this past year, the one of Trevor and Buddy in bed is perhaps my favorite.) I have to say that I’m really looking forward to a summer of home improvement projects, laying in the hammock and getting to fall asleep with my boyfriend every night.. even if that means being 2200 miles from my other home.

[On a side note, if you’re looking for a Father’s Day gift, why not consider a photograph to hang in his office, or even at home? Click here to shop AND you can use the code “fathersday20off” to get 20% off a print, today! You’ll also help support my crazy Montana adventure - win win.]

Snapshots: Airport Travels

Its no secret that I love to travel but truth be told, one of my favorite parts of the trip is the flight there. 

I love the romance of flying... the airport, taking off, landing, having a window seats, the flight attendants. It’s even better when you luck out with emergency exit row seating, or in flight movies. Though I love any flight that takes me out of central Pennsylvania for a while, this particular one was filled with even more anticipation than usual - after all, I hadn’t seen my boyfriend in almost two weeks (ha!), and this was the flight that would take me to a sneak peak of his new home, his new town, his new job - his new life. I was apprehensive to visit Montana but I was even more apprehensive to leave.. I’ve spent the past two days trying to get caught up on school work but multiple projects still await.. a long with a lengthy to do list that includes unpacking my suitcase and doing laundry. 

Unfortunately though, I think I left my focus (and half of my heart) in Montana.