Day 77: I saw a bear… statue

DAY 77: Missoula, Montana
Miles traveled: 10,024
States visited: 24 (just added: Montana)
Weather: 78, sunny

Astute blog readers may have picked up on the fact that occasionally I write blog entries ahead of time. WordPress, like most blogging platforms, has a Schedule feature that allows you to write a post in advance, then have it magically appear later at your desired time. This is one of those posts. It may not be live, but it’s close enough – just think of it like watching the Olympics on tape delay.

By the time you read this I should be deep in the heart of Yellowstone National Park. Hopefully I haven’t been eaten by a bear. Here’s how you can tell – if I come back next week and start blogging again, I haven’t been eaten by a bear. If I don’t, then send out the search team.

On my way there I stopped through Missoula, which is a nifty little college town sort of like State College, except the businesses aren’t right next to the school – you have to walk through 4 blocks of residential neighborhood to get to them. On this day I think it was new student orientation, because everyone on campus seemed to be high school age. Either that, or I’m getting older faster than I thought.

Montana’s mascot is the grizzly. They have a grizzly statue in front of their old main building. Notice the giant M on the hillside in the background. Rolling Stone rated the University of Montana as the most scenic campus in America, and I can’t argue with that.

I wish I had more time for Missoula because it seems like a fun place. But now it’s off to Yellowstone and Grand Teton!