Not long into our travels we started to hear a rustling noise coming from Matt‘s backpack…
And unveiled a stowaway!!!!
He was hungry for honey, but unharmed from security. He claimed that he has bear cousins in Yellowstone and wanted more than anything to come and visit them. I secretly hope we do NOT encounter any bear cousins on our trip!!
Our first flight was uneventful. We took off a bit late (duh) and I slept for a good portion of it thanks to eye mask + ear plugs + inflatable pillow combo. I woke up and wrote a short article and soon enough we’d landed in Minneapolis.
I was impressed by the nice, modern airport! We paused to listen to some Christmas music on a harp. I was excited 🙂 They must get started even earlier here because of the October snow!
And then we found some acceptable coffee!
Perfect snack to tide us to lunch.
I got a cafe au lait again. I like them more than lattes because I like having more coffee to drink instead of espresso and mostly milk. I got mine with a shot of pumpkin spice (I requested just a small squirt so as not to overload with sugar). The Caribou pumpkin was not as good as the Starbucks though. Sbux is more like pumpkin pie; Caribou was more like the Cottonwood Pumpkin Ale that I love. More nutmeggy maybe? I still liked it, but not as much.
Bocker was strapped in snugly for the next take-off
We played some games in the air like "Count the clouds" and sang "99 jars of honey on the wall"
Around 1:30 EST we pulled out our lunch (it was 12:30 Minneapolis time and only 11:30 Montana time).
Last night Matt made turkey + cheese + avocado + mustard sandwiches on Great Harvest Honey Wheat
Plus apples
A shared bag of carrots
And North Carolina water
[It’s times like these that taking a photograph of everything is a bit challenging! Juggling our luggage, coffees and a huge camera and then trying to get out the camera from under the seat after lunch is served on the tray require a bit of planning!]
Shortly after finishing lunch the refreshments cart strolled by and I nearly leaped out of my seat when I saw….BISCOFF!! LOVE them!! I ate three 😉
I also have a new favorite airplane drink: a vodka cranberry, minus the vodka!
I ordered a club soda with a splash of cranberry. It was the perfect light flavor without all the icky sweetness of diet sodas.
I also nibbled on a few of Matt’s p-nuts
I just looked through all of my Africa photos, which are still on this computer. Amazing experience. Wish I could be drinking some fresh mango juice right now! Instead I am headed to the land of buffalo 
Flight entertainment. I was Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz in second grade, so I owe it to my past self to read this book!
Landing was gorgeous, as expected.
Bocker found his great, great, great, great grandbear!
After getting our suitcase and rental car, Matt proclaimed there was a brewery just a mile or so away and we should go. What kind of wife would I be if I said no to that!?
Of course we had to try them all
But luckily there is a law here prohibiting serving more than 48 oz of beer to a person! [Sign in the middle]
A tasting flight later…
I liked the darks, he liked the lights!
Some hazing occurred…
But then they bonded over a t-shirt purchase
We arrived at our B&B. It’s funny that I’ve been thinking of this trip as a "business" trip for so long (and being scared of blizzards) that I forgot until this afternoon that it’s a mini romantic getaway too!
Evidence of snow!
Our charming room
It is a gorgeous warm day here…soooooo……
We went for a run!
I don’t want to hear any comments on "why do you waste your vacations going running" because there was nothing else that we would have rather done. It was gorgeous and we got to see the town of Bozeman by foot. Note I said town! It’s small! I thought for some reason it would be more of a small city, but it’s the most all-American movie western charming town. Cute houses at every step! My run was not glamorous – a clomped behind Matt slow as molasses – but I picked up speed by the end and it ended up great. We ran for about 50 minutes and ended up doing over 5 miles. I couldn’t believe it when I looked at my watch. It felt like 3 miles max.
I am blogging from a nice bathrobe (although the shower was a mere trickle of water and I don’t know how anyone would stay warm in the winter!). I gotta get dressed and then we’re headed to walk downtown to meet our friend Molly from Davidson for dinner!
Be back ta-night!
I don’t understand people who see running on vacation as a waste of time. It’s one of the best ways to get acquainted with your new setting! Some of my favorite runs occurred on vacations, like the time I ran through French wine country on a perfect sunny morning. I can’t think of a better vacation activity, really. 🙂
your stowaway is adorable
I am so jealous that you got to see snow already! I love winter. Have a great time on the rest of your trip.
Oh gosh, I definitely do not thing running on vacation is a waste— anything you want to do on your vacay you should do, period, the end! Have fun at your b&b!
Any coffee that tastes like pumpkin beer is a-ok in my book. I’m pretty sure that bear is underage, though.
I’m actually from Helena MT but am back in MS going to Mississippi State University… I have been reading your blog ever since the beginning, so it’s very exciting for you to get to visit a place I love so much!! Be sure to go to some local coffee places… they have the best quality!
It’s really nice to see pictures from “home” although it is making me homesick!
Have fun in Big Sky Country!!
Doing what you enjoy is NEVER a waste of time! 🙂
Love the stowaway bear. haha
Jenn
I wish I could explain why I love the bears so much but I just do. They crack me up. Partially due to their sheer existence and partially because I love imagining the looks you two get from strangers when posing teddy bears on public landmarks.
Love the pictures! Enjoy your trip 🙂
You are too funny with that bear!
What better way to sight see than on a run? I think some cities offer running tours these days for active tourists.
I think a run around a new town is a great way to explore, and a great way to shake out the stiff airplane legs!
If you want to see a small town, you should come visit mine! We boast only about 2000 people, which is probably good-sized by some standards. 🙂
Those plane cookies are SOO good!!!!
Have a great trip!
what a little clever stowaway you have! sneaky, sneaky!
I found your blog and it’s great! Especially love the oats in a jar from the previous post – must try that – does your spoon handle get all messy though in a narrow jar ? 🙂 seriously though…does it?!! Oh and love the bear.
Your stow away i super cute!
Great Harvest is amazing!
I think it’s awesome that you went for a run. One of my favorite running on vacay stories isn’t my own… it’s my husband’s story! He went running at the National Mall in DC on a business trip and said it was one of the most inspiring things ever.
Glad trip went relatively smoothly. Enjoy the business AND pleasure!
I’m so glad that Bocker is having an adventure! Wish the other bears were there, too.
Mom
Running is the perfect thing to do on a vacation! I don’t understand people who go on vacation and don’t do anything. Maybe it’s becaue I like exercise. I’m weird.
Awww, how cute that the bear made it along! I actually don’t mind Caribou Coffee. Nothing beats my Starbucks, but it’s not bad for a change.
Glad the flight went well and you’re enjoying your time!
Welcome to the West!!!
I was so excited when I saw you went to Montana! I go there every year to ski in big sky and fly into the same airport as you from detroit! I absolutely love Montana, it is so beautiful (and not full of huge cities as you mentioned). I really hope you liked it!
You’re so photogenic. The picture of you and your teddy on the plane couldn’t be any more perfect :o)
I think it’s awesome dedication that you run on vacation. So to Hell with anyone who says otherwise.
Also, your B&B looks so charming and cozy. Totally romantic!
I love Caribou!!!! It’s my fave coffee place!
I think it’s great that you still run on vaca! It’s a great way to see the vacation spot and have fun!
I have always dreamed of going to Montana (darn that Brad Pitt in A River Runs Through It!) so i can’t wait to see all of your pix!
Wow, it already looks gorgeous and you just got there! Can’t wait to see the rest of your pics and hear about the entire trip. 🙂
Caribou is my favorite because they have mint lattes year-round. Simply the best!
LOL. I like how you say ‘north carolina water’ haha. Your trip looks fun already! Loving all the pics of Bocker 🙂 Of course you should go running!!! That’s what I would do! What better way to explorre the city??
You and the bear are so cute! I think it’s awesome that you and Matt take runs while on vacation. I need to get into the mindset of exercising while away.
Looks like the trip is going wonderfully so far! I love the brewery stop, my boyfriend would be in heaven doing that 🙂 I’m crossing my fingers that everything goes well for you 2, I would just love to have you down the road in C-ville!
I thinkg running/walking whatever OUTDOORS is a great way to see a place,I think it was when you stuck to the gym indoors in Africa when many of us felt like commenting(although in retrospect now,it really is none of my business what you choose to do in Africa!!!)
I don’t understand people spending time indoors in a gym inside when they could be seeing new things out in the real world.
I don’t see how anyone would have anything to see about running outdoors thought 😉
lol the three of you guys are so cute! hope you’re having a great night!
My cousin moved to Bozeman 2 years ago and loved it! I can’t wait to visit her in Montana. Enjoy the trip! Looking forward to seeing more.
I LOVE running in new towns! For me, it’s the best way to get an idea of what is around me. Bozeman is such a fun little town and I’m sure you guys will have a great time!
Nothing wrong with running on vacay. It’s a great way to explore.
I hope you enjoy Wicked, it is my favorite book! By the way, my husband has a major obsession with those cookies (he asks for extra!) and we found them – without the Delta – at Walgreens.
Looks like a fabulous trip already! 😀
Your camera takes amazing pictures, love all of them in this post! Enjoy Montana 🙂
Ahh! I am so excited that you are in Bozeman. I just moved to Boise from Bozeman…loved it there! There are lots of fun places to go..if you have time, you must hike the M if it is not too muddy…beautiful view of the valley..you will love it!
Have fun!
I love running on vacation – I get to see the area, get some exercise, and feel better about indulging in some vacation cuisine. Only problem is my TERRIBLE sense of direction…
I think running together in a new city is a big part of the fun of going away!
I definitely do not think that running outside at a new city is a waste. IT sounds like lots of fun! Keep in Shape :-). And you are such a kid still Kath. A Teddy bear on your trip… Too funny 🙂
Oh what fun! That B&B is adorable. I think it’s awesome that you went for a run around the town. Whenever I travel I love to run around where I’m at. It’s such an intimate way to get to know the place you’re visiting, plus you notice things you’d never notice in a car. Have fun!
So much fun! One of my best friends lives in Bozeman and she has always made it sound like such a treat. I hope you have a wonderful time!
I was also happy to see you made it through the Minneapolis airport – isn’t it awesome? Still wish I lived there…O’Hare is mean (putting it nicely)!
Love the little bear – it reminds me of my own little stuffed animal that I am going to greet now as I go to bed…
Have an awesome weekend, Kath!
YAY for stowaways!
you guys are so cute on the plane! lol!
Funny ~ when I read you went for a run whilst there I was thinking that it was a great idea! It inspired me, anyway 🙂
running is the BEST way to see a new city. i used to love running around Prague – and suddenly, I knew the city better than any of my non-runner friends! coincidence? i think not 🙂
Kath,
If you are looking for even better alternative to the latte/cafe au lait (from a taste and $ perspective) try a coffee misto – half coffee (I always get bold), half steamed milk and the best part….way less than the other two with equal kick!
I received this little gem of a tip whilst in Starbucks a couple years ago from a group of ‘mature’ ladies (read in their 80’s) who in addition to this tip have provided me with many more over the years.
glad you got there safe and sound 🙂 have funn!
jenna
Wicked is the best book, after you are done come to NYC see the broadway production!! We have great clean green food too!!
I love using running or walking as a great way to spend vacation. I enjoy it at home so why wouldn’t I enjoy it on vacation. It’s fun to me!
I love that you enjoyed your flight with all participants 🙂
Your pictures are stunning!!!!!!!!!!
charlene,
Thanks for the misto tip! But how it is different than a cafe au lait?
Kath
Hi Kath – first time I have left a comment on a blog or asked a question – read your blog everyday and I LOVE IT – thank you for writing it.
Question for you – I noticed you make these wonderful sandwiches and wondered if the turkey you make them with is ‘real’ turkey or lunch meat turkey? Do you but a certain kind without nitrates???
Thank you again for writing a wonderful blog.
Rebecca,
Thanks for your first comment!
In my house I buy Applegate Farms deli meats, which are nitrate free. But when I’m out and about, I don’t always have that option. I’m not worried about an every-now-and-then occurrence though.
Kath
I was just reading through some of your old bog posts, and ran across this one. I must have missed it some how, but I live in Bozeman! Just thought you should know! Hope you enjoyed your stay here, despite our chilly October weather!