What a change it has been returning to beautiful Missoula, Montana after ten weeks in London! In the place of spending my days at work, in Modern British History class, or in Soho, I've been taking advantage of the sunny August Montana weather. Although I was sick for over a week when I first returned (I swear it was the swine flu), I managed to get outside for backpacking, hiking, and fishing. The photos can probably describe my time better than I can...
Ok, so I didn't actually go on this backpacking trip because it was over fifteen miles in and and the same fifteen out, but it looked like it was lots of fun. This is my little brother and his friend hiking about thirty miles away from my house in the Rattlesnake Wilderness Area.
A favorite pastime of ours is to torture the pug, Dominic.
etc...
etc...
My family and I went rafting and camping on the Blackfoot River about one hour's drive away. It was gorgeous, but alas, no fish.
Dominic, more cat than dog, doesn't like water. We hung out on the raft.
A nice swimming hole near the campsite.
My mother running to catch up with the raft after she jumped ship.
I've also been enjoying outdoor yoga classes.
My best friend, Tess, and I (probably two of the least outdoorsy people you will meet in Montana) ventured up to Camas Lake in the Bitterroot. It was a really nice hike of about two miles in with huckleberries all along the trail.
A view of the Bitterroot Valley from our hike.
Scaling giant rocks. Much more successful than my catastrophic foray into rock climbing last spring...
A beautiful lady sunbathing next to Camas Lake. (Tess was afraid of swimming in the lake because a giant underwater creature* followed her wherever she swam.)
*Her shadow.
This is Tess happy and excited for catching a fish!
This is Tess a few seconds later screaming as the fish swings towards her.
Every year, my mother hosts Family Amateur Night as a giant party at out house. This was the seventh annual night with about eight families attending. The rule is that every family has to create a short skit and perform it for the other guests. Tess, disowned by her family, my other best friend, Kelsey, and I created a skit parodying Sarah Palin's farewell address--simply by reading it word for word.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jak9YxX2d6Y
Here we are rehearsing Palin's nonsensical dialogue.
"That big, wild, good, life..."
This is my family's house and also the stage where we perform Family Amateur Night.
My favorite swimming hole up the Rattlesnake Creek only a few minutes bike ride from our house.
And don't forget inner-tubing!
It's been a great summer, but I am getting so excited for my exchange to Toulouse, France. Only a few more days and I'll be back across the pond. Cheers!
