Today was ZOE'S FIRST BIRTHDAY!! Sadly, most of the day was spent driving from West Glacier to Billings with nothing to see or stop at along the way (as we had hoped to do). Thankfully we didn't have to rush out this morning so she was able to get dressed up in her unicorn tutu and hat after breakfast for some fun pictures. So wonderful for Joe and I to get to see and be with her for this first birthday since Joe and I missed out on her first 7+ months due to Covid.

As we drove today through many backroads of Montana we felt as though we were on the Ponderosa (from the show Bonanza). The tall pine trees were huge masses on either side of the road. After that area, we hit multiple lakes with the evergreens surrounding them. I think we're getting very spoiled with all of the beauty that we've been seeing daily!!

Once we got to the hotel Zoe happily helped her mama ice her pumpkin cake. We ordered in pizza for her birthday dinner, had cake, and then some presents (more await her in St Louis since we were very limited on space driving down here.)

Have I mentioned what a bummer it is to be back in the United States and to see how few people wear masks indoors here? Everywhere we went in Canada people wore masks and there was no issue with it.

Doing research now for the next couple of days as we head into the Badlands, Black Hills and Mt Rushmore area. We have 2 nights at the Holy Smoke Resort in that area so are excited to have another full day to explore and hike in that area. It's an area I know very little about, so it should be interesting.