A quick update from Ennis

We were so happy to have been able to extend for 4 days and to just stay on our site in Missoula.  So early Monday morning we left to drive south and try the Bitterroot again.  First thing we noticed is the smoke is back with a vengeance, in fact even here in Ennis now, the smoke is thick.  Lots of fires around, with no sign of rain.

Well, we didn't do so well on the Bitterroot, had a couple of bites, but it just wasn't our day, so after exhausting all the options I could think of, we decided it was time for lunch, and yes folks, there will be a few food pictures, I know you've missed them:-)

We went to the Bitter Root Brewery in Hamilton, and had a nice lunch, I even had a great IPA.  

Jan's brisket sandwich, yeah she had a bite before
we remembered to take a pic:)

My enormous half portion of pulled pork nachos!

So even though we got skunked fishing we scored with lunch.

We had a few errands to attend to before we left civilization for Ennis, like Costco and the grocery store, and of course another lunch.  I should note that there is no sales tax in Montana which gives a little incentive to getting the things you need here.  We decided to do a Irish Pub for a change of pace and went to the Stone of Accord for first, a couple pints of Guinness, and then a delicious lunch.  We had quite the waitress that was so friendly we thought she might just invite herself along to travel and fish with us!

Ah yes, mother's milk

Jan's banger and cabbage

My gorgonzola steak sandwich

We were counting down the days, still a few things to do, and Jan's feet were really hurting in her wading boots, she's had them 3 years and they are getting worse by the moment.  So off we went to fish Rock Creek again on another smoky, yet beautiful morning.  We each caught a few, although we did not have the particular fly we needed, a Spruce Moth that the trout were just devouring.  It was a great day, so on the way back we stopped into a fly shop to see about boots.  No luck on her size, but they ordered a pair.  

We ran into a guy in the campground that was telling us about a new condo type park west of Missoula that he was going to buy a lot in, so we decided to go have a look.  We saw several big billboards advertising the place, but with no exit or direction info, but our new friend said it was just off exit 47.  We decided to take a short cut, but we wandered onto a narrow cliffy road that caused me to bail, so we turned around and lost 18 miles.  Yeah, scaredy cat me.  

A little bit of our shortcut, before it hung on a cliff

We went to exit 47, found no signs and even asked a native of the area where this campground might be and she said she never heard of it?  It makes you wonder why someone who is advertising a new RV resort wouldn't make it abundantly clear where the place is!  Anyway, we never found it.  We ran into the guy in the campground later that evening and we mentioned we couldn't find it, and he said it was at exit 55 instead, oops?  Well we weren't that interested anyway, certainly not to drive back 40 miles.  I'm not even going to mention the name as I don't want to advertise it, a place we've never seen.

So wow, only one more day, and no call about Jan's boots, so into town we went, ran a few more errands, walked around a bit, and had lunch one more time at our favorite, Iza.  It was fantastic once again!

Jan's Ginger Beef bento box

My Nasi Goreng, a fried rice dish

Our fishing guide, Doug turned us onto this restaurant and we were glad he did.

No call about Jan's boots and we had to go.  Off to Ennis, a kind of unique little town out by itself, only a population of around 800 people that is a fly fishing mecca.  The Madison River runs right through town, there are at least 3 fly shops in town, lots of bars, restaurants, and shopping, and what seems like millions of fly fishermen:)  The campground where we stay, Ennis RV Village is full to the brim all season long!

It was a pleasant 200 mile drive from Missoula after we refilled our propane tank after our leak.  The fly shop where Jan had ordered her boots finally called when we were halfway to Ennis to tell us the boots had arrived 3 days late.  Unfortunately too late to do us any good.

A little narrow, but scenic

Passed this huge mine?

A pretty canyon

When we arrived to check in we were pleasantly surprised to find we got one of the amazing sites in the back that overlook a meadow and the mountains to the east.  The only problem is the smoke that unfortunately is getting worse by the day.

We wanted to get into town immediately and see if we could book a float trip on the Madison.  We had a fly shop in mind from our last visit and went there first.  We were told she would do what she could, and would call us if they were able to accommodate us.  Then we looked around town for boots.  Found a couple places had them but not in her size.  We wanted to go into Bozeman anyway, and since the boots are actually made there we felt we could find them there.  There was another ulterior motive for us to go, and that was to go have sushi at Dave's Sushi where we had gone last year:-)  We had another super lunch there and then went in search of the boots.

We found her boots and after spending quite a bit of time to be sure they were perfect we got them and ran a couple other errands and headed back.  I should mention one other thing that is entirely Jan and my opinion.  Even though Missoula has more of a reputation as being a bit out there socially and politically, we always felt comfortable and surrounded by friendly open people.  In Bozeman though it wasn't nearly as comfortable, kind of uppity, and maybe even surly, even in the restaurants and businesses.  So of the two, Missoula wins for us.  

We did get a call back and we have a float trip booked for early Tuesday that we are really looking forward to, it will give us a chance to see if we can wade and catch a few Monday first.

A smoky sunset

Our view!
This morning we can't even see those mountains