'This is gonna be a great story....' | Stranded in Southern Idaho.

So, last week was Spring Break for MSU students, meaning we get a week off classes to travel and see things and have some adventures outside of Bozeman. After toying around with a few different options, and failing to rent a car due to strange rules, S found a suitable car through a local dealership, to use for travelling while we are here and to sell on before we leave in the summer.

We both got very excited about the possibility that the car gave us neither of us having had our own car before, and the fact that America is huge so a car is kind of necessary to get anywhere other than the corner shop, especially if travelling around is something you want to do, which for us it is. Excitement is definitely the word, after driving around campus with Max + Mia on the first night we had it, and then taking it for its first drive up to Hyalite Canyon one evening to see the sunset and walk on the frozen reservoir, it was so cool to suddenly have the freedom to be able to plan to our own agenda.

Sean and the car up at Hyalite!

We spent the weekend catching up on all the work we had to do, gathering camping supplies and figuring out our itinerary to Moab, Utah even scheduling a stop to see friends in Salt Lake. Everyone here puts such emphasis on travelling during Spring Break and it's our only week off during the semester so we really wanted to make the most of it. I have always dreamed of seeing the red rocks of Arches and the deep crevices of Canyonlands so was super excited to finally fulfil those dreams.

We set off on Monday morning, playing music, chatting, taking in the breathtaking Montana mountain views and eating road trip snacks (Sean's favourite part). The car was driving well and we were so excited, to get there, set up camp and try out the paddleboards we rented on the Colorado river. The sun was shining, there were blue skies and everything was awesome (in the words of the lego movie song.) About 2 hours into the journey, the car began to make a very strange ticking sound.   I know next to nothing about cars, but even so, we both realised that it probably wasn't a good noise for it to be making. The ticking increased more and more, and we began to get more and more worried. We also hadn't been through a town in an hour and there were none on the horizon, and hardly any other cars on the road, so we decided to keep going in case we stopped, had a look, and then the car wouldn't start again, leaving us stranded in the middle of a snowy wonderland.

On the road! Before....

Ennis, MT

Towed!

Dinner date in the motel.

We passed into Idaho and soon after that, the ticking intensified, then everything happened pretty quickly, the engine cut out, Sean had to swerve to the side of the road, and the whole front of the car filled up with smoke, S shouted for me to get out of the car....quickly and for a second, I thought the engine was on fire as I coughed the smoke out of my lungs. For a second, we didn't know what to do. Here we were, two brits stranded on the side of a road in rural Idaho with no phone signal and no car. Then, the guy who had been driving behind us, stopped, got out of his car and walked over to us. He introduced himself as Shane, helped Sean open the bonnet and had a look at the car, he said he didn't know too much about cars, but there was no way he could leave two kids out on the road in the middle of nowhere. He was so kind to us and we are forever grateful for him towing our car to his town and putting us in the hands of Travis, his friend and the local mechanic.

We checked into a motel and explored a little of what there was of the town, it was very small, and many of the businesses had closed down leaving lots of derelict buildings and echoes of the past. We had our first taste of the american ready meal that evening (not one I would recommend!) and watched a beautiful sunset over the river. But we were also told the news, that there was a problem with the car's engine, and it would take 4 days to fix. Spring break plans to be postponed.

Well and truly stranded.

A few things not to be forgotten.

This last fortnight or so has been busy but fun. I feel so rooted here in Bozeman, like I've set up home here, made a little life for myself. I love the place, the people and the opportunities, the classes and the culture. I wish I could stay here to finish off university, but sadly that isn't the case, and I know once I am back in Plymouth in six months time, I will appreciate the people there and the seaside surroundings. Also, being within train travel of my family will be much appreciated.

A few memories from the past few weeks:

-A dorm room dinner party with Sean, Mia and Max the night Spring break began, sneaking the food and beer up into the dorms was fun as well as the catching up and getting to have some of Tesco's finest fudge courtesy of Mia.

-A talk by Neil Degrasse Tyson with S at the University one Wednesday night. It was a really cool event, with all of Bozeman (it seemed!) filling the basketball stadium turned lecture theatre. He was a wonderful speaker with a wealth of knowledge and thought provoking scenarios to teach everyone about. He was also hilarious and ever so charismatic which made it a really good night. We ended it with a walk home with Ben and a discussion about life's many burning questions.
-I wrote about Bozeman on Lu's blog: http://www.frauleinlouise.com/frauleinlouise/2015/3/5/city-slicker-guide-to-bozeman-montana#comments-54f8ce99e4b083d0ec2a947f= and how much I love the damn place.
-February 2015 on video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpMwCriLNQY&feature=youtu.be as part of my ongoing monthly video series (it is now in its fourth year which is crazy to think) but I'm happy I have a backlog of memories to watch back now!

Campus on a sunny day!

-The cold came back. Montana does like to keep you guessing doesn't it? 14 degrees one day, -22 the next.
-Yoga! I 'm loving my yoga class that counts for 1 credit, I've made some lovely friends in the class and am really enjoying the practice of yoga, even incorporating it into my daily routine at home.
-A potluck at Ben's one saturday night with cous cous, aubergines and sugar free banana bread (which Ben raved about all night - baking win I think) with the international crew, followed by some of the girls heading to mine for tea and talking into the early hours.
-A photoshoot full of flying sparks in the freezing cold with good friends, followed by ice cream and excitement at cold stone creamery. So tasty!

Me and Natalie - I'm way too excited about ice cream ha

-Signs of spring - can't wait for it to get warm again and to feel the sun (for real)

-Cycling home late at night and seeing the mountains lit up by the snow as well as the amazing views of the stars.

-Acting in Directing class and doing improv, reminding me of drama school days and actually really enjoy playing different characters. It was really fun and made me wanna get involved in some sort of acting club or something - we'll see. 

-Hot chocolate or herbal tea on freezing days drunk out of huge mugs with friends or a book.

-Weekly Wednesday 'dates' with Mia - usually a coffee shop working morning or a stroll round town, it's always fun, whatever we do.

We found beard hats in the MSU colours. 

-Actually sorting out my job and getting some shifts - I start the first day back after Spring Break. The other staff seem really nice, and I can sense some english accent banter coming on. 

-Scriptwriting class - getting feedback on ideas and having really interesting conversations with my lecturer out of class. He has been an editor, a sound man, a screenwriter and a weather man so has many cool stories to share.

-Thrift store shopping with Meg for her upcoming Jamaica adventure. You find some cool things in there and also some amusing things!

Thrift store = goldmine!

-Skype catch ups with the bestie (Lici) - always missing her but it kinda feels like we actually hung out after a 2 hour catch up!

 -Brunching with Becca outside (despite it being -2 outside) and taking in the fresh air and views of the mountains.
-Going into a shop and looking for a chalk bag for climbing and being met by a wall of deer heads. And a display of guns (why america why).

-The perfect cup of herbal tea. So welcome after cycling home in the cold.

-Visiting my lecturer's house for portraiture to do some indoor lighting demos, and in turn meeting his very cute puppies and using his pet ferrets as props. How very strange. 

Zoe the model ferret. 

-Going for a sunset run with S - it was so nice to run up to Peets hill and watch the sun set as we did. Trying to prioritise things like running and yoga - I always feel so good afterwards, I just need to make time for it.
-The prospect of spring break travels! So excited to get out of Bozeman and venture out to see some more of the USA. 

-Pretty icy patterns on the windows on frosty mornings.

-Buying a CAR! We had planned to rent one for Spring break, and then it turned out that it was not an option so after searching for weeks on craigslist - one happened to pop up that was perfect on the exact day we needed it to. Crazy good timing! It feels so good to be part owner of a car (despite the fact that I cannot drive it) - I really appreciate the freedom and opportunities it is going to give us living in such a space out area of the USA. It is also big enough to seat lots of friends, so excited for the group adventures that will be had as well as travel with S. We will also hopefully be able to sell it on when we leave so long as we take good care of it!

Our car! Maybe we should name it!

-Also, taking the car out for a drive with some friends on the first night that we got it, playing some tunes and getting really excited about all the opportunities for travel it holds!

Inaugural trip in the car! Sean, Mia, Max and Me. 

-Feeling grateful for the support of S and getting excited for our road trip next week! Warm weather here we come!

 -And finally Montana Sunsets! Because they are gorgeous and last for hours! I love it :)

And that's it for now! Off to Utah tomorrow for some paddle boarding, bouldering, hiking and camping! Can't wait to see the red rocks :)

Big (pink) sky country!