and we're off, first stop Montana

30th June had finally arrived, not only our 9 year anniversary but the day we were to depart Calgary and start our big road trip around North America. Marc packed the car and we took off around 9am. While leaving the city Marc was really worried about the car and was driving like a Nana as the van was now our everything, home, transportation and storage.

Our first stop was just over the US border in Montana, 'Glacier National Park'. On our way there we stopped off for lunch at a place called '2 Sister's cafe' a quirky tin shed filled with local memorabilia and plastic inflatable cows. The food was really good, Marc and I both had burgers that were way too big, we could have shared. But the piece ta resistance was the chocolate pecan pie. Oh my god mmm mmm mmm! 

Glacier national park road was still closed in June due to a late spring melt so we just drove the 13 miles of the road that was open. We stopped for a small walk to see some falls which were running crazy fast due to all the melting snow. I tried to push Marc in but he fought back.

After glacier we drove to Helena the capital of Montana to stop for the night. The drive was really pretty, rolling hills into badlands, mining towns then red mountains. We passed a few ‘cowboy’ towns which we should have stopped but didn’t. After arriving in Helena we tried looking for an RV park to stay for our first night. We had a couple of choices but the first was not a good one, we could not find it to start with, so we stopped at a servo to ask for directions. Marc came out with 2 very nice “trailer park” residents who actually lived there to show us the way. After arriving at the park we took one look, waved thanks to the locals and kept driving to try another park we passed on the way in. Which turned out to be much nicer. We setup the car for our first nights sleep and kicked back to watch a movie on the laptop. All in all a really good start to the trip.

After a good first nights sleep in the car (Surprisingly), Marc and I had showers packed up and were off again. Grant-Khors ranch was our first stop an hour away in Deer lodge. We loved it, had so much fun. Toured the old estate 150 years old with original furniture. Visited the blacksmith and took home their GK brand on a piece of wood. Last but not least we were shown how to rope a steer (a wooden one) by a Montana cowboy called Allen!! I was a natural got it in 2 goes; Marc on the other hand took about 10 tries ha ha ha.