Just a few weeks ago my mom was telling me it was not wise to walk on ice.
Oops!
Our trek from Twin Bridges to Bozeman was gorgeous – lots of pretty black cows and majestic cloudy skies
Upon arrival I met up with Janna, a super awesome KERF reader, and Laura, a friend of mine from governor’s school (aka nerd camp) who I haven’t seen in 10 years! Janna lives in Three Forks and Laura lives in Billings and they came out today with their husbands to take us snoeshoeing.
Matt and I rented snowshoes from a nearby store and we were off to the Gallitin National Forest.
But despite our super awesome 4WD monster truck, we managed to get stuck along with about 5 other vehicles on this one road.
Uh. Oh.
There was some panic, some digging, some cursing and thankfully some help from chains. Eventually we got unstuck but Seth had to BACK down the mountain – it was a bit scary.
We girls went for a snowshoe walk while they boys worked.
I LOVED snowshoeing!!!!!!!!! Janna saved the day by lending me her super warm waterproof boots. Our shoes were only $10 to rent and were totally awesome.
Unfortunately because of our truck incident, we only got to shoe around for about an hour. But it was worth it and really cool.
I have to give a shout out to this new OpenSky item coming soon – the Peabody Bag by FUL. It is perfect for outdoor activities! Has a little pocket for cameras or cell phones (or Burt’s Bees!) on the front and is the perfect size for a DSLR camera, phone, wallet and a bit more. It’s also really easy to swing around and access while still wearing it. My new favorite toy!! Also only $19. Two of the colors are sold out, but I’m doing a newsletter flash deal with this soon!
At the top of the lake, we decided to cut across to make it back on time. [Don’t worry mom, I asked the Montana natives a MILLION TIMES if it was safe.]
We headed down the hill and onto the ice. This was the scary part because I just pictured a lake bank and all the rocks on the side! But look how thick the ice was – almost 2 feet!
Janna and Bobby
Laura and Seth
Bear attack!!!
The cutest fluffy dog!
I was really excited to see a bathroom : )
Upon coming off the lake, I was recognized by a BLOG READER!! The super exciting “Hey, I read your blog!” floated out of a vehicle. I’m so sorry for not getting her name, but here we are making friends in the most random spot in the country! From internet to real life : )
We were pretty hungry for lunch and guess who downed a beer in 2 minutes flat!
The rest of us nourished with trail mix, BabyBel, carrots, hummus, bread and more that Janna brought the group. Thanks Janna!! It was a nice quick lunch.
Despite the scary moments, we had a wonderful time exploring Montana snow. Even if it was 40* out!
Lauren says
January 15, 2011 at 6:38 pmGlad you like snowshoeing! It’s so fun, as long as the temps are bearable outside.
aubrey (italktofood) says
January 15, 2011 at 6:38 pmhow fun! I love eating foods like that whenever im out and about in the snow. Nothing tastes better than trail mix after a good workout!
Jil @ Big City, Lil Kitchen says
January 15, 2011 at 6:40 pmWhen scrolling down I really thought the dog was a bear for a sec – what a fluffball!
Stacy @ Every Little Thing says
January 15, 2011 at 6:40 pmThats fun! Reminds me of up North Michigan. I miss it!
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin says
January 15, 2011 at 6:42 pmWow it sounds like such a fun day! I’ve never been snowshoeing in my entire life but I’d love to go!
sarah (sarah learns) says
January 15, 2011 at 6:42 pmwow, that looks like a great adventure. 🙂 i love snowshoeing! it’s a great workout too. i love the antlers on the front of the truck.
[email protected] says
January 15, 2011 at 6:43 pmlooks like a fun day…I smile at your “walking on ice”…here in Wisconsin we consider it perfectly normal to DRIVE on the ice! 🙂
love,
cathy b.
Laura says
January 15, 2011 at 6:43 pmKoops-
We had a great time snowshoeing with ya! Thanks for dealing with the stuck truck.:) So sad we had to leave early, but maybe we could drink some great local brews the next time we’re in va.
Laura
Kath says
January 15, 2011 at 10:31 pmPlease do come visit us!!! Had a wonderful time.
Angie @ Musings of a Violet Monkey says
January 15, 2011 at 6:49 pmSnowshoeing looks fantastic. I would have been nervous about the frozen lake as well. Two feet, or ten feet of ice!
~
Tina says
January 15, 2011 at 6:51 pmI have a sling like that from Eddie Bauer and it rocks! One of the best purchases I’ve ever made. Snowshoeing looks really fun, I think I want to try it out soon.
Kristy @ KristyRuns says
January 15, 2011 at 6:52 pmSNOWSHOES! That’s what I needed to get around Atlanta this week! Dang it! 😉
Looks like a blast! I think it would have been totally creepy to walk on the ice, even though I know it’s safe…
Caroline says
January 15, 2011 at 6:56 pmLooks like so much fun! Love the fluffy dog…what kind is it? Too cute!
LA says
January 15, 2011 at 7:26 pmI think it’s a Newfoundland dog…I could be wrong, but that would be my bet. 🙂
Kath says
January 15, 2011 at 10:32 pmThat’s what the owners said!
Val @ Balancing Val says
January 15, 2011 at 6:56 pmI think I’m in denial that the dog is NOT a bear.
Are you sure?
😉
Ma Fea says
January 15, 2011 at 6:57 pmHere is the mom in me coming out: where is your hat, woman?!?
laine @ beets, butter and mountaintops says
January 15, 2011 at 7:41 pmIt was 40 degrees! That’s balmy hat-free weather, especially when snow shoeing. It was 20 today here and I was cross country skiing. My hat was off about 10 minutes down the trail and I was sweating!
Kath says
January 15, 2011 at 10:31 pmYes, it was 40*!!
Gavi @ GaviGetsGoing! says
January 15, 2011 at 6:57 pmI love snowshoeing–it’s so much fun, and a great way to be outdoors in chilly weather! It looks like you are having a blast in Montana. I’m so glad the ice was thick enough! 🙂
Ellie @ The Mommyist says
January 15, 2011 at 7:10 pmBeautiful! Winter sports are so much fun. You should give cross country skiing a chance if you have the opportunity.
Jessica @ Dairy Free Betty says
January 15, 2011 at 7:12 pmThat looks so awesome!!
We had a fire on ice one time… I was so scared the whole time that I think I drank 2 bottles of wine… It was fine, and in the morning we went to look and it had only gone through about 2 inches of ice!! Crazy!
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
January 15, 2011 at 7:12 pmThat’s such a COOL experience!! Snowshoeing looks like so much fun! And I LOVE that cute little outdoorsy nap sack. Definitely getting one. 🙂
Samantha says
January 15, 2011 at 7:14 pmI’m having such a good time on your trip:)
Heather says
January 15, 2011 at 7:17 pmThose dogs are beautiful!
Looks like you had a great day – I bet snowshoeing was a lot of fun and great that you were able to reconnect with an old friend.
Too bad the truck got stuck!
Cori says
January 15, 2011 at 7:21 pmOh wow! What kind of dog is that??
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
January 15, 2011 at 7:24 pmAnd that is why blogging is so awesome! You meet so many people from around the globe! Looks like an adventure today. I hope you are warming up now!
jen @ taste life says
January 15, 2011 at 7:26 pmLOVE the photos of the mountains and cows! And that dog is soooo adorable. Looks like a great fun day.
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
January 15, 2011 at 7:27 pmSnow shoeing sounds like fun!
It’s so cool that a blog reader recognized you!
haya says
January 15, 2011 at 7:37 pma lot of ice is perfectly safe to walk on, skate on….even drive over!!
snowshoeing is awesome! i’m so happy i discovered how fun it was a few years ago, because i’m not that into skiing and winters up north are really long, dark and cold when you don’t have fun outdoor activities to look forward to. we’re planning a big snowshoe adventure next weekend that might even include renting snowmobiles! i’m pretty excited.
[email protected] Sweet Life says
January 15, 2011 at 7:38 pmLooks absolutely gorgeous–what a fun trip you’re having!
Ann @ Day by Day says
January 15, 2011 at 7:39 pmWow! Going across that lake of 2 feet thick ice looks amazing! And I want to grab that dog and give it a huge furry hug. That’s the cutest bear/dog I’ve ever seen.
Erica D (Gratitouille) says
January 15, 2011 at 7:40 pmMontana looks gorgeous! And what breed are those majestic fluffy creatures??
Lisa says
January 15, 2011 at 7:41 pmOoh so pretty!
Amanda (Eating Up) says
January 15, 2011 at 7:42 pmThat dog is adorable! What a fun, beautiful adventure!
Kristi says
January 15, 2011 at 7:51 pmIn MN, I used to drive to high school over the big lake in our town… it would save 15 minutes drive time! However, I moved there when I was 14, so the whole idea of a well-used road on the lake was foreign and freaky the first couple times! Hope you continue to have great and unusual experiences out there in Big Sky country… Enjoy!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
January 15, 2011 at 7:57 pmI would have been scared to cross that lake, too!!! But it would have been a lot of fun. As well as snowshoeing. My boyfriend and I were planning on a little snowshoe outing when we went to visit his family in Maine but unfortunately all the snow waited for the day after my departure. 😛
Amanda says
January 15, 2011 at 8:03 pmomg omg omg that dog is SO adorable. you and matt are also so cute together. oh and in regards to your post a little while ago, the salted caramel cupcake, i think you would adore that from georgetown cupcake. http://www.georgetowncupcake.com/menu.html have a great rest of the trip!!
Haleigh says
January 15, 2011 at 8:12 pmThe snow looks absolutely beautiful! When I lived in Sweden, my mom told me I shouldn’t ice skate unless the lake was frozen solid. Note: Lakes don’t freeze solid, haha… it’s safe to skate on 3-4 inches of ice.
Camille says
January 15, 2011 at 8:15 pmIsn’t snowshoeing tough! I did it once and it completely exhausted me!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
January 15, 2011 at 8:17 pmI think being “recognized” by a reader would be so much fun. Looks like you had a great day!
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says
January 15, 2011 at 8:18 pmawesome pics!
i grew up in MN and walked on plenty of frozen lakes too!
Ali says
January 15, 2011 at 8:20 pmYay snowshoeing – so fun!
Karis Kuckleburg says
January 15, 2011 at 8:32 pmLove all your photos of Montana. That sling bag looks great! I could really use something like that, so I’m happy you blogged about it. I’ve never tried snowshoeing but I’m really intrigued now. Plenty of snow here in WI to do so, just need to see if there are any snowshoe rental places around.
Hannah says
January 15, 2011 at 8:33 pmI do not comment often, but you have a wonderful way of telling a beautiful story about your life Kath. It’s so fun to read about! I have you in my google reader and I always save your blog for last. I’m a big believer in saving the best for last!
Kath says
January 15, 2011 at 10:34 pmThank you so much Hannah!
Elisabeth says
January 16, 2011 at 3:13 amI do the same thing! I’ve got a list of blogs, but I always save KERF for last 😉
Sara says
January 18, 2011 at 9:09 pmMe too!
Kiran says
January 15, 2011 at 8:43 pmAwesome. I’ve never heard of snowshoeing before, missed the recent opportunity visiting up North recently. Glad you all had so much fun 🙂
Mads says
January 15, 2011 at 8:45 pmWhat an amazing day in the snow! I’m from Minnesota, and yet I’ve never actually gone snowshoeing. I’m jealous. How cool!
Jessica says
January 15, 2011 at 8:58 pmI’ve always meant to try snowshoeing, but we usually end up skiing instead since we already have the equipment. Plus I’d like to save it for a a place with a sweet view like were you were!
Jessica
claire says
January 15, 2011 at 9:01 pmMatt is always drinking!!
Kath says
January 15, 2011 at 10:35 pmTell me about it!
Katy (The Singing Runner) says
January 15, 2011 at 9:11 pmLooks like so much fun! 😀
stacey-healthylife says
January 15, 2011 at 9:16 pmSnow shoeing is fun but cold and a tough workoutl
Christina says
January 15, 2011 at 9:32 pmWhich Governor’s School did you go to? I went to East! SO much fun!
Kath says
January 15, 2011 at 10:35 pmWest!! At Salem College
Baking 'n' Books says
January 15, 2011 at 9:33 pmSnowshoeing looks fun – but so hard! I have a hard time lifting my boots in snow haha!
Great photos! 🙂
Amanda @ Just Amanda J says
January 15, 2011 at 9:43 pmWaterproof shoes are a must in the snow! I learned that lesson the painful hard way :/ Needless to say this FL girl who thought Uggs were the most ridiculous looking thing in the world bought a pair before moving to IL (and later VA) during the winter. I think I still would have been paranoid about the lake though 🙂
Hannah says
January 15, 2011 at 9:49 pmOh gosh, it’s so weird to be reading this post while sweltering in Canberra’s 90 degree heat! Mind-boggle-time!
Sarah @ The Strength of Faith says
January 15, 2011 at 9:54 pmI went snow shoeing today for the first time, too! I was surprised at how much of a workout it was.
carlee says
January 15, 2011 at 10:01 pmI hope you don’t mind me saying…but your husband is cute!!
Kath says
January 15, 2011 at 10:36 pmthanks 🙂
Kat says
January 15, 2011 at 10:02 pmSnowshoeing looks like lots of fun
Beautiful scenery!
Madeline says
January 15, 2011 at 10:29 pmLooks like lots of fun! I am majorly paranoid about walking on ice! 🙂
Sana says
January 15, 2011 at 10:46 pmHahaha You are basically famousss 🙂
Jess says
January 15, 2011 at 11:03 pmGosh that looks amazing. I totally want to go snowshoeing now!
Kelly says
January 15, 2011 at 11:04 pmI love snowshoeing! It sounds like it would be so boring but is actually so fun!
What breed of dog is that?! He’s huge!!
Namaste Gurl says
January 15, 2011 at 11:57 pmHow fun of a snow activity– never “snowshoed” before, quite new word to me… 🙂
[email protected] says
January 16, 2011 at 12:51 amLooks like you guys had a blassssssssst! Now I wanna go snowshoeing even more!!!
Maryann says
January 16, 2011 at 12:57 amWhat an adventure!
Tina says
January 16, 2011 at 1:47 amI’d love to try snow-shoeing sometime, but omg, you could not get me to walk across a lake!
and I definitely thought that dog was a bear at first glance!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
January 16, 2011 at 8:44 amI’ve been snowshoeing a few times before and it’s SUCH a workout. My legs always ache the next day!!
Anne P says
January 16, 2011 at 8:44 amAhhhh that looks SO fun!! Great photos, too. Looks beautiful there 🙂
Natalie the Awesome says
January 16, 2011 at 8:59 amHey thats a really pretty view!! oh, and i love the “bears”….. to cute!!!!!
Jennifer says
January 16, 2011 at 4:23 pmLAURA! Wow! I haven’t seen her in ages!!! So fun to have a Gov School reunion on snow and ice 🙂
Kath says
January 16, 2011 at 5:45 pmHey Jennifer!!! We talked about you – hope things are good!
Lindsay says
January 16, 2011 at 4:28 pmLove this post and all the great pictures! Looks like it was such a fun day!
kelsey says
January 16, 2011 at 7:01 pmNice! I was a governor school nerd too! ‘Governor’ was a word that I lost the 3rd grade spelling bee to. The sad news is I still can’t spell it.
Michaela says
January 16, 2011 at 11:23 pmahh gorgeous pictures! I’ve always wanted to go there. Curiosity’s killin me what kind of breed is that dogbear?!
Ashley (The Vegetable Life) says
January 17, 2011 at 11:59 amI want to try snowshoeing this season…..
MelanieF says
January 17, 2011 at 7:11 pmI have that type of bad as my purse. It’s the best ever. I’ve had it for a year and I am not sure if I’ll go back to a regular purse.
Eileen says
January 17, 2011 at 11:03 pmThis is a great entry! The snowshoeing looks like so much fun, and I love the random KERF sighting!
I enjoy seeing people make the most of winter. I’m totally sick of the Philadelphia approach to snow, which is “lock yourself inside and whine for a month.”
Lisa says
January 27, 2011 at 6:37 pmAwesome! I love snowshoeing. We finally bought our own pair this year–which has been the best decision ever! Now we can go whenever we want and they are sooo much better than the shoes we used to rent.