Pictures + Places: Montana
As we were waiting for snow early one morning outside of Big Sky, I sat at the tremendous log farm table in the kitchen, looking out over the meadow, and flipping through my history of this place…mostly on the pages of this little space. We had a couple more days to spend (and a big winter storm on the way) so I the grasping feeling that I sometimes get when we pack the car and head back to our little speck of civilization, wherever it may be, hadn’t set in. So, I was still stockpiling all the peace I get from the great quiet of this place. Something about this our time in Montana -the expansiveness of the sky, the wildness of the hills, and the general sense that you’ve reversed time, the nothing-much-but-the-best ways we pass our days there – keep us coming back, sometimes twice a year.
Whenever we return home, friends ask about our trip, where we go, what we do. The truth is that we spend a great deal of our time in a little meadow someplace between Bozeman and Big Sky (in the southwestern part of the state,) holed up in the cabin or exploring the mountains beyond. But, the more we visit, the more of the state and specifically the territory directly around Yellowstone National Park we come to know. Montana has become enough of a part of me now that I want to share it with others, and want to keep better track of the best parts for myself. So if you should find yourself in this neck of the woods, here is an ongoing list of resources (updated 2/26/2015); places, pictures, thoughts and notes about how + where to enjoy so that Montana can write its way into your heart too. -xo L
Places to Eat:
- Blackbird – fresh and local to the Nth degree, right in downtown Bozeman. When we aren’t cooking at home, we’re dining at this place. Our best tactic is to allow the staff to tell us what is freshest and best, and we’ve never been disappointed.
- Wild Crumb – inevitably, you’ll be searching for a satisfying artisan loaf, or a croissant in Bozeman and this is the only place to look. Their almond croissant and huckleberry scones are especially crave-worthy.
- The Coffee Pot Bakery – this little outpost is easy to overlook if you’re flying through Gallatin Gateway, but it’s just down the street from the house so we head there for morning pastries and the occasional pie (that is, only if we’ve run out of apples or raspberries ourselves.)
- Ousel + Spur – wood-fired pizza on your way home from the mountain is always an excellent choice.
Things to Do:
Where to Stay:
- The Inn on the Gallatin: for a very small price, you can stay right along the Gallatin River in the cozy, simple accommodations at this new property. Highly recommended for a truly unique experience.
- AirBnb – we’ve had the best luck with renting properties instead of hotel rooms here. This way you have a home base. And frankly, just plopping yourself at home here for a week is enough of a good thing to do.
Where to Shop:
- Bangtail Bikes – for bicycle repairs, rentals, and winter equipment. Also a good place to buy extra tubes + supplies to ride the Bangtail Trail.
- Community Food Co-Op – for a small, market with beautiful produce, natural foods and a good bulk selection.
- Olivelle – there aren’t many gourmet shops in Bozeman, but this is one of our favorites. We stock up on good oils for salad dressings, truffle salts, and spices to stock the pantry at the cabin.
- Grizzly Outfitters – clothing, outdoor equipment, bicycle and ski rentals as well. If you need a piece of outdoor equipment while you’re exploring in the canyon, this place has it.
Thoughts:
