Day 9 - To the Big M.
Missoula, Montana
As if we hadn’t had enough adventure for the day, we were walking back from the University center gameroom last night when six of us decided to sleep under the stars (peer pressure can be such a good thing). There was a hill/mountain that flanked the University, with a large M in the hilltop visible from miles away. About 10:30 p.m. we hiked the many, many switchbacks up the hillside up to the M, which it turns out was cement. A little further up near the top we set up camp: thermarests and wool blankets. The view of the city at night was incredible, and the stars, excepting a little light pollution, formed a welcome canopy. It was a perfect night, but I ended up with only about two hours of sleep. The stars kept me awake, much like when you attempt to fall asleep to a TV set, I just kept watching them and wasn’t ready to close my eyes. We stayed up quietly talking, and as it became colder and colder we formed a little huddle and layered the blankets on top of us. The morning came all too soon, and at 5:00 a.m. up went Tom to scout out the sunrise. For about 45 minutes we all waited for the sun to rise, taking bets (which of course I won :) for when it would rise. After the 6:15 rise, we wandered down for breakfast, showers, laundry, and NAPS.
Ane and I decided we needed a swim, and pedaled down to the river bank under a bridge. The water was super crisp, but a quick dip was as good as any nap as far as refreshing goes. It was so lovely, and the water was actually pretty clean. We spent some glorious time in the sun on the bank before I headed back for a two hour nap.
Awake and refreshed, the rest of the evening was a little more strenuous than planned. The restaurant reccommended was quite the unexpected trek in flip flops, and dinner turned into a 3 ½ hour experience. A little crabby at first, with a little food and chocolate mints, life was better. And ice cream. That always helps. And now, bed before another century tomorrow.
As if we hadn’t had enough adventure for the day, we were walking back from the University center gameroom last night when six of us decided to sleep under the stars (peer pressure can be such a good thing). There was a hill/mountain that flanked the University, with a large M in the hilltop visible from miles away. About 10:30 p.m. we hiked the many, many switchbacks up the hillside up to the M, which it turns out was cement. A little further up near the top we set up camp: thermarests and wool blankets. The view of the city at night was incredible, and the stars, excepting a little light pollution, formed a welcome canopy. It was a perfect night, but I ended up with only about two hours of sleep. The stars kept me awake, much like when you attempt to fall asleep to a TV set, I just kept watching them and wasn’t ready to close my eyes. We stayed up quietly talking, and as it became colder and colder we formed a little huddle and layered the blankets on top of us. The morning came all too soon, and at 5:00 a.m. up went Tom to scout out the sunrise. For about 45 minutes we all waited for the sun to rise, taking bets (which of course I won :) for when it would rise. After the 6:15 rise, we wandered down for breakfast, showers, laundry, and NAPS.
Ane and I decided we needed a swim, and pedaled down to the river bank under a bridge. The water was super crisp, but a quick dip was as good as any nap as far as refreshing goes. It was so lovely, and the water was actually pretty clean. We spent some glorious time in the sun on the bank before I headed back for a two hour nap.
Awake and refreshed, the rest of the evening was a little more strenuous than planned. The restaurant reccommended was quite the unexpected trek in flip flops, and dinner turned into a 3 ½ hour experience. A little crabby at first, with a little food and chocolate mints, life was better. And ice cream. That always helps. And now, bed before another century tomorrow.
posted by elizabeth at 11:14 PM
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