Hanging out in Bozeman

I don't want to leave Montana.

We got up early this morning to another quiet campground. Skies to our east and south were looking dark and some sprinkles fell, but no rain. Cars and SUVs packed with skis, kayaks, boats and ATVs continued up the forest road into the campground.

Sadie and I walked the grounds one more time. There were plenty of open camp sites available. A group of young people were at the Sacagawea trailhead carrying skis up the trail; they may be surprised at how icy the leftover snow has gotten.

It drizzled some more as I drove down the mountain. Plans to hike up "College M" again were dashed when the parking lot proved full of cars and hikers and more rain began to fall. So into town I drove, toward the beautiful Bozeman Public Library, a proud "Green Building" and walked the Gallagator Trail for three miles, up and down the gravel path with Sadie being the only dog that was, per city ordinance, on her leash.

We had a view of the cloud-shrouded Bridgers from our vantage point, were able to see into town off Peet Hill, and admire the 360-degree vista of mountains all around. I can see why people want to live in this small town of around 30,000, a town not much bigger than Sierra Vista but with double the action and beauty that Sierra Vista, as an army town, can not offer. Almost all the city councilmen of Sierra Vista are retired military, so one can only wonder where the true allegiance is to building a family-friendly town?

I sat in the public library, looked over used books on the West, sipped a cup of cappuccino, paid my credit card on-line, looked at college courses to register for next week; I will focus on US History this semester which will mean another semester of heavy research and writing! A phone call back home eased my concerns of Kevin having as dull of a holiday weekend as surely I will.

Clouds began to form in the early afternoon. My plans? To drive slowly south, leaving Bozeman forever this time, and head toward Big Sky for the night. Then enter Yellowstone tomorrow although that may be a hassle with oggling tourists along "the largest parking lot in the US!" according to Michael. I can't enjoy Yellowstone too much since Sadie (dogs) are not allowed in National Parks, although snow mobiles and ATVs are. Maybe if the National Parks spent less money building up the parks into resorts and managed their finances better, they wouldn't be allegedly hurting for funds. And if dogs were allowed in the parks--under strict leash and poop laws of course--then perhaps more dog owners would be willing to spend the fortunes it takes to see a national park these days.