Day 1

     Today we arose bright- make that dark- and early at 3:30 AM. We were staying with my Aunt Robin (on my dad's side), who works in DC and had no trouble in dropping us off at the Dulles International Airport. On the way to the airport we saw a bear, a fox, and lots deer. After arriving and checking in our luggage, we had to endure a grueling hour of security checks (they have become absolutely ridiculous these days! And by the way, everybody does the full body scans now... >.<). We were able to get onto our first flight quickly after that and left at 6:00 AM.
     It was on this first flight that I discovered the latest of air travel technology: free wifi that provides your flight trajectory and estimated time of arrival, along with a holy host of other neat things. By the way, Southwest Airlines are awesome! Baggage is free and alot of their terminals have pictures of staff who all look like they are cheering you  on (made my day better! XD).
      When we landed in Denver, we were slightly humored by the fact that we left at sunrise from home and then arrived at sunrise there! Anyway, due to the pilot's awesomeness, we arrived about 25 minutes early: just enough time to use the bathroom (can't stand airplane lavatories!) and grab a bite to eat (I had this awesome chocolate filled croissant).
    The next flight arrived promptly and soon we were boarded and taking off. The views were incredible! We even got a glimpse of Yellowstone and maybe Glacier NP ~pictures attached~. Soon we landed in Spokane, Washington and picked up our car: a 2011 Chevy Traverse. And guess what? It's black! With heated leather seats! And two sunroofs! And TONS of space to put stuff! And it drives really well (I got to drive it for about an hour). We all love the car and unanimously agree that it is our best one yet.
     No car is a joy though after driving for about 6 hours... give or take. But the views were gorgeous and the topography of the countryside is completely different than of that at home: Evergreen forests on high mountains and then converting into rolling plains hemmed in with even higher mountains (which are still covered in a thick layer of snow).
     We ate dinner at a local Montana cafe and had a delicious meal (steak, onion rings, a roll, caesar salad, and coconut pie for me) then finished up the long journey by stopping at a Best Western where we shall spend the night (and where I am writing this). It's been a long day, with each of us putting in a good 20 hours... so... Yeah, it's 8:30 here, but 10:30 for you guys. I shall attempt to blog more on the morrow. Hope you all are doing well!
                                 ~Logan

 Lake Yellowstone

Glacier National Park

Headwaters of the Missouri River

Near Current Location (Bozeman, MT)

Cool Rocks Outside of Butte, MT