Missoula

After camping out in Gallatin National Forest, my first destination the next day was Chico Hot Springs for an early morning soak. Then I made brief stops in Livingstone, Bozeman, and Butte on my drive to Missoula, Montana where I spent Tuesday night.

Missoula reminded me a lot of my hometown--Appleton, Wisconsin--except surrounded by mountains. That evening I took a stroll on the city's river walk and wandered through its small downtown. Perhaps Missoula is a tad bit more hippy than Appleton.

The next morning, I visited the University of Montana campus and hiked 640 feet up Mount Sentinel to the giant concrete letter "M" emblazoned on its face. Then it was on to Glacier National Park.