Head on home!

 Kalaloch Campground Olympic National Park

This will not be a fast retreat, but after a visit to Olympic National Park, Port Townsend Washington, Seattle, Olympia, Nisqually National wildlife refuge, we've headed back east again! Drove from Olympia to Smelterville Idaho yesterday (I wonder what the history of that name is) and then from Idaho to Bozeman Montana yesterday. The past week we've seen hunting bald eagles, temperate rain forest, the Space needle in Seattle, a sculpture garden, beautiful mountains, and snowboarders using kites like kite surfers along the ice and snow
 
Last night we checked out some incredible hot springs in Bozeman Montana, which included seven different pools with varying degrees of temperature, a steam room and a sauna. After a couple of ten degree nights with frozen water and frozen pillows it felt so good to thaw out. We've been staying in a few too many chain stores that allow you to park for free, the place that we shall not name but I'm sure you know where I'm talking about. Not the most picturesque, but to have a free place to sleep when you've been driving all day is just a convenience until we get to the true beauty!

Montana has been absolutely beautiful, I can see why people fall in love with this place and I think we already have. We're headed into the snowy and beautiful landscape of Yellowstone National Park next a short drive away into Wyoming. I have a feeling it's going to be amazing this time of year. Most of the park is closed to non snow vehicles so we'll see what we can see, but we manage to pack a lot in even when conditions aren't optimal!
We've got snow chains and zero degree bags and plenty of winter gear so no worries folks! Wish us luck, three degrees tonight is the forecast with a high of twenty five! Since most of the country isn't having much of a winter we've got to take it where we can get it.
Till next time,
Emma