July 19-20

We drove through the northwestern edge of Yellowstone and up through Bozeman for more groceries and the kid’s paddleboard. Natalie did her due research and found one online at a Play it Again Sports, called them to place a hold. They used their own money to make the purchase and were eager to get to our next water camping spot.

We secured a two night reservation at the State Park in Three Forks where it was hot and full of mosquitoes. The only reprieve was on the water so on Monday each parent took a kid for a 1.5 hour float. Three Forks is named such because it is the confluence where the Madison, Jefferson, and Gallitin Rivers converge to form the Missouri River. Very fun to navigate on a paddle board with lots of options and endlessly serene views. Best of all, no other people. While rafting in Idaho that was our biggest complaint- the river was full of other floaters and there was rarely a moment of solitude. Our float ended and we traded places with Zach and Camden.

While we waited for the boys, Natalie and I went to the Montana Wheat Baking Company and procured some fresh bread and treats. I had planned on baking some on this trip since we are typically weekly sourdough connoisseurs but heat and oven constrictions have prevented me from the DIY route. It was fun to visit the bakery and to support local. Something we’ve been mindful of and striving for this whole trip.

Each night here we’d take a sunset walk, one at the Madison river, and another at a small overlook. The views are ever changing, always mountainous, and completely mesmerizing. We still can’t believe we get to do life like this for this long a time.