Friends and Mountains

Three hours and twenty-five minutes...

...the countdown to when I will be flown away from Bozeman, Montana and the amazing people that live here. The short five-day visit couldn't have been better and I will leave feeling even more in love with this place than last year. Even as a warm-weather person, I would love to call this home. Unlike the gloomy winter months in Michigan and Ohio, Montana is alive as ever during this time of the year. The sunshine and beautiful mountain landscape draw people outside to play, in spite of the cold. There is just so much to do! Check out all of the awesome things we did!

Day 1: a beautiful hike through the foothills, followed by a Holsinger Christmas party with great food, great drinks and great company (one can always expect a good time with the Holsinger's...especially when there is chicken jalapeño soup and homemade eggnog involved)

Day 2: I LEARNED HOW TO SKI!!! ON THIS MOUNTAIN!!!

Day 3: Amy Luke got here! And we went snowshoeing on this mountain:

THEN! we went swimming at a hot spring where we were served beer and organic pizza. SO COOL! AND THEN! A girls night out on the town!

Day 4: Hanging out in downtown Bozeman, followed by another beautiful hike up what Katie Holsinger called a "hill"....yeah right! Then after hiking this so-called "hill", we had to catch our breath with drinks at a local brewery and a yummy dinner at home.

Day 5: After a battery malfunction with the Jeep this morning, Amy made it to the airport on time and the Holsinger's made it to work. Now I sit here waiting to go home. I look forward to the holidays with family, but I will be sad to say goodbye to my friends and mountains. Until next time, Montana....