Heading West

We are heading to Yellowstone National Park this morning, and we think we’ve packed correctly. We’ll soon find out — mountain people, we are not.

Couldn’t find a limo company to take us and bring us (our usual is out of business, and one never called back), so we took Ruby and scored a parking spot in the B garage at Logan, adjacent to our airline for a reasonable price. All systems go,

2 hours to Logan, late for the plane and no signs directing us to B garage. Three frantic trips around the airport, one stop inside to ask, and finally the entrance. Then it turned around – United Airlines staff took our bags, no line at TSA, and onto the plane and first for take off. We may have spent 15 minutes inside the airport.

Enough time in Denver to have a lovely lunch at the Centurion Lounge, which never disappoints. Do you know this entrance wall has 780 live plants? It’s such a soothing place. Off to Bozeman.

Nicest airport I’ve ever been in. Gorgeous wood, fireplaces, stone and views of the mountains. Our bags got routed through Chicago and would arrive later tonight. Again, a lovely UA rep helped us get the bags delivered and we got our car and we’re off.

Scenic 20 minute drive to the Kimpton Armory hotel in downtown Bozeman. The downtown is surrounded by bucolic neighborhoods full of craftsman bungalows. Easy parking, gracious welcome, and comfortable digs. Kimpton has a cocktail hour each day, and we sat next to an unassuming couple from Colorado who turned out to be so interesting and intelligent. Had an hour long discussion about art, politics, music, wolves, invasive trout and travel while sipping rhubarb smashes. Welcome to the West!

There is a lovely rooftop pool at the hotel, and we decided to take a dip. Met a mother and daughter (Seattle and Bozeman) who were also lovely and a delight to talk to. Mom was an eye surgeon, so the conversation skewed toward healthcare. Such terrific chance encounters.

At the suggestion of the Colorado couple, we ate in the hotel. Great meal with super staff. Our waitress was from Las Vegas and was hip and chic and pleasant, and as the night was slow, the chef came out and chatted and recommended. Brad had steak and salad with blue cheese mashed potatoes (terrific salad with handfuls of herbs and roasted fennel), and I tried the the stuffed egg with trout roe, the bison meatball with whipped feta, the bok choy in coconut milk and a spicy Cesar salad. Brad finished with a blueberry pavlova. Lovely.

Bags arrived, sleep came quickly.