2023 May 2.0 - The Main Event - Christine & Zach's Wedding

Bozeman, MT - Continued...

May 23rd Tuesday – Mom and I had a semi-lazy / working day - Laundry, showers, cleaning-organizing the camper day. Kinda boring, but much needed to get ready for the various visitors that will be coming and going the rest of the week.

Brady and Tiffany were arriving around 11:00 pm the same night, so thankfully airport was 15 minutes away and the campground is NOT in the flight path! 😊 Unfortunately, their flight was delayed, so we didn’t get back to the camper until around 1 am. Night-night.

May 24th Wednesday - Mom, Brady, Tiffany and I all went exploring. We went to see the Palisade Falls in the Hyalite Recreation Area. The scenery on the drive to and from the falls was just amazing. Weather was iffy, but we were going to make the best of it.

I believe Montana has to be one of the most beautiful states I have ever been in. The amount of pine trees covering every hill and mountain is just mind boggling. Such beauty.

Well, the road was closed for the final mile to the falls, so Mom stayed behind with Kylee (Jax had just beat up Kylee that morning, so she came with us). We hiked the 1 mile in and the 1 mile out.

First we had to play in the snow on the way

Then we were amazed at the power and beauty of the waterfall

Brady decided to climb up some rocks - Tiffany is on the other side - watch the video. - Crazy kids

We all hit the hot springs when we got back😊

Later in the evening, we went over to Christine and Zack’s Airbnb. It was right across the road from Bidger Bowl and let me just say, when you imagine a cabin in Montana, this is it. Wow!!!

May 25th Thursday – The dogs had a vet appointment at 10 am, Jax needed his 2nd dose of Levpro and Kylee needed her first. Come to find out, it's easy to get into Canada - you only need proof of their rabies. But, to go into Alaska, apparently you also need a heath certificate within 30 days of entry. Almost $600 later – certificate - $275 + each dog needed a full physical - $70 each + both of their vaccines + more allergy pills for Jax. Yikes!! I was NOT expecting that bill!

Mom, Brady and Tiffany all packed up, they were moving over to the Airbnb with Aunt Laurie. My Jim, Conner and Sydney were all flying in around noon. I picked them up after the vet. We all went to Laurie’s Airbnb for dinner'. Sydney and Tiffany's first time meeting the family. Let’s just say it was interesting – high altitude and alcohol – didn’t mix well for some. Not naming names, but we all know who you are...sister #2. Hahaha! We all hit the hot springs that night too. Aaaahhhhhh!

May 26th Friday – I rented an SUV and Jim, Brady, Tiffany, Conner, Sydney and I all took a day trip to Yellowstone National Park. What an adventure, we had so much fun and saw so many cool things.

They don't call it Yellowstone for nothing, the area around there really has yellow colored stone.

Given it was our first actual stop, we all took our 'couples' pictures at Tower Falls

So many photo ops, magnificent landscapes - the beauty is incredible. We just couldn't stop stopping to take pictures!

Yup, we saw bison too

Stopped for lunch and got kids meals which worked out better, given the prices within the park were insane!

Old Faithful - we made it just in time, maybe 5-10 minutes to spare, phew!!

Midway Geyser Basin-Grand Prismatic Springs - geothermal

Somehow, we thought we could fit the Grand Teton in on the same day. Maybe we could have, if we left at 5 am, but we didn’t leave until something more like 10:30 am!! Oh well, next trip. We needed to be back around 6pm for the pre-wedding shinanigans😊

May 27th Saturday – Wedding day!!! Congratulations to my beautiful, intelligent, sweet niece, Christine, and her most awesome, husband, Zach. I wish you both all the best, there is nothing better than marrying your best friend!! Love you guys!!!

There initially was a slight rain delay before the ceremony started, so we all took advantage of the time inside the barn to take pictures. No pictures were allowed at the ceremony. But let me tell you, it was a beautiful ceremony, and I am pretty sure everyone had a tear in their eye, I did! Photo opportunities continued outside too!

My two super tall nephews, Mitch and Simon, with my super short Mom and Uncle Joe (hee-hee)

The pictures by the white fencing is the same backdrop for the wedding ceremony - stunning

The little brook and bridge made for some awesome portraits

Then the bar opened and the appetizers were served...oh boy! Brady and Conner took on Aunt Cindy and Aunt Laurie for a $20 wager at bags/corn hole. Who won??

The boys!!!

May 28th Sunday – Spent most of the day running everyone to the airport. Brady and Tiffany left around 11 am. Jim, Brady and Sydney spent the morning in the hot springs. I joined them until it was time to take them to the airport around 3 pm. It was really sad that everyone was leaving, but my next adventure starts tomorrow, so there was a positive. It will be a while until I am able to see Jim again, food truck/festival season will start soon. :(

Next stop, due west until I hit the ocean, in Washington!!