Why, hello there! I’m currently airborne at approximately 30,000 feet as I begin to type this overdue post. I imagined myself blogging throughout my trip, but when I needed to make the choice between absorbing myself by the demanding job of blogging, or soaking up every moment of my “vacation”, I chose the later. I unplugged myself from the outside world and took advantage of having my family all together in one spot… that spot being beautiful, breath-taking BOZEMAN, MONTANA. A few of you were just shy of the target : )

Here we go… the epic recap of my weekend in the Wild West:

I started out early Thursday morning, with a mere few hours of restless sleep. Luckily, my expert organizational skills got me out the door on time, with warm OIAJ to eat on my 2-hour drive to the airport. I was so happy with how well OIAJ worked for a traveling breakfast: 1 plastic container [you could even use the lid if you choose] + 1 plastic spoon = 1 easy & clean meal on the go. Plus, the banana peanut butter oats are sure to keep your hunger maintained for at least a few hours.

Aboard the plane, I enjoyed spectacular snowy sceneries, a Starbucks soy latte, and the nutritional intelligence of Michael Pollan. I couldn’t resist taking a picture of my Biscoff for Kath. I can understand why she likes to travel with Delta — these graham-like cookies are tasty in all their simplicity. Do you remember when Kath & Matt traveled to Bozeman, MT?

During my long layover in Salt Lake City, I stretched my legs as I searched each and every terminal high and low for their healthiest and cheapest snack options. Somewhere around Terminal C I found freshly-made yogurt and real fruit! It wasn’t exactly a bargain, but the little extra change was not wasted on the surprisingly delicious bowl of creamy dairy and strawberries. I ate with it a few dried apricots and raw veggies that I had waiting for me at the bottom of my carry-on luggage.

What’s your secret to eating healthy while traveling?

 

A quick flight later, and I was in Big Sky Country!

After settling in, my parents took my brother and I – along with his three roommates – to dinner at Over the Tapas! Between us all, we shared a bunch of delicious small plates, including: bacon-wrapped dates, calamari, patatas bravas, asparagus & manchego cheese Spanish omelets, and a lavender crème brulee for dessert. [The food was camera shy.]

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Friday was spent absorbing the beautiful landscapes of Bozeman and its surroundings. My parents and I piled into my brother’s truck and we travelled the rural roads admiring the calmness that the snow-capped mountains and icy blue river instilled.

We stopped at a couple state parks along the way.

After moseying around the mountains all afternoon, we made the trek back to town to pick up my grandma at the airport; then we rushed off to our reservation at The Emerson Grill. The restaurant is located in an old school building, and the dining room itself was once the kindergarten classroom. I loved the cozy atmosphere.

There were drinks.

…and salty rosemary focaccia bread.

I warmed up my palate with a [blurry] simple salad of greens & creamy parmesan chive dressing.

The star of the evening was certainly my entree. Because I recently stopped eating chicken, and can’t exactly afford to prepare wild fish for myself regularly, I took advantage of their wild Alaskan halibut special. The filet was seasoned with lemon and rosemary, and served along with: parmesan polenta, grilled asparagus, and a slightly smoky paprika sauce.

We all gave The Emerson two thumbs up; I think Kath & Matt agree : )

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My alarm clock woke me up way too early for a Saturday on vacation. I guess it was necessary because we had an engagement at 8:00am. You might still be asking why I travelled to Montana anyway? Well, it may have been to attend a semi-important occasion called graduation. My one and only brother was receiving a diploma for a B.S. in Community Health – yahoo! – and I wasn’t about to miss the event. One kid outta college [for now], one more to go…

Following the early ceremony, we got a bite to eat at Sola Cafe [homemade granola with steamed milk for me] and then my mom, grandma and I sauntered our way from shop to shop on Main Street.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a couple hours of window shopping – no cowgirl boot purchase for me – we headed over to our house and threw together a casual celebration dinner for my brother and friends… and whoever else decided to show up. On the menu were elk sausages and moose burgers [I kid you not!], roasted rosemary taters, an extra-large salad, chips + homemade guac… and just a few Moose Drool beers ; )

Sunday morning we joined the other fathers and daughters, sisters and brothers treating their mothers to a special breakfast. Thankfully we had a reservation at The Nova Cafe, so we weren’t waiting outside in the frigid May weather. Belgian waffle with strawberries [surprise surprise] for me. It was such a treat to be able to spend Mother’s Day with both my mom and my grandma. I wish I had been able to spend the entire day with them, but, unfortunately, I had to catch a plane West.

I was tempted to hop on another aircraft [Paris please], or perhaps not one at all. My weekend away was a total tease. I haven’t walked across a stage with a diploma yet. Two more challenging weeks remain of the Spring semester… two more!

Bye bye, Big Sky!

I have sooo much more to fill ya’ll in on. I suppose that’s the nature of slacking. I’ll do my best to catch up, but if I disappear, you can find me in the library with my head buried in my books.

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A little late… my GUEST POST @ A Foodie Stays Fit: Carnivore. Herbivore. Locavore.