Saturday, December 5, 2009

Food Guy Guest Spot 3- Old friends & a run



Saturday started off with breakfast with some old friends from back in the Gorge. I think it's been at least 3 years since I've seen Chris and Leslie. They were headed over to Bozeman from Missoula to ski at Big Sky today, so they stopped by and picked me up for some breakfast. It was great to see them, catch up, and get the inside scoop on living in Montana.


After Chris and Les took off, I went on a real estate tour with some local agents and checked out the housing scene. Things look pretty good here. When that was finished, I strolled around downtown for a couple of hours to get a better feel for the place. Gotta say, I love it here. Next, took off for a run at Peete's Hill. It's a sweet park where lots of kids were sledding and fellow weirdos were out running- most with their dogs. On my way I passed this dog, who told me to tell Yellow Dog, "This is how we roll in Montana!"
The run was pretty sweet. The views of the mountains were not so clear because it's been snowing since last night, but it was still a sight to see.
I ran for just about an hour. I didn't really pack enough clothes to go for a long run here. I really needed an outer shell and something to cover my face when the wind is going strong. Not that I'm fast enough to make it windy. I stopped here and there to take some photos, check the view, and pet a dog here and there. Yellow Dog would love it out here!

I need to catch up on some work email, then I 'm going to head back downtown to check out the Christmas stroll. Did I mention that I like it here?

Friday, December 4, 2009

Food Guy Travel Guest Spot 2

It's been a fantastic trip to Bozeman so far. The weather here isn't quite what I expected. The temperatures are much, much colder than I thought I'd see this early in the winter. The good residents of Bozeman have assured me that it's been a little colder than normal. The good news is that -4 doesn't really feel as bad as it sounds. You know how people are always talking about dry heat? Well, I experienced that this summer, and it's true. It's kind of shocking that it also applies to the cold. Dry cold isn't nearly as bad as the type of cold we have in the Southeast. I went for a run this morning even though the temperature was 7. I know what you're thinking: What kind of idiot goes running when it's 7?! Well, those of you who know me know the answer to that question. It wasn't bad at all though. It was cold, but not bone-chilling cold. I took some pictures on my run. I had to stop by the bench with the statue of Walt Whitman that sits outside of the English department here at Montana State. Couldn't resist the urge to play literary tourist (yes, I'm nerd).









The views here are surreal. The mountains in the background look like something out of Hang 'em High or The Outlaw Josey Wales.








I kept waiting for someone on a horse with a cigar stub hanging out of his mouth to show up and tell me that there are better ways to get around than running. But, it didn't happen. I even passed a few fellow addicts who were out getting their morning fix.
It's amazing how many people were out at 7:30 in the morning running through the snow in 7 degree weather. It appears, I think, that Bozeman is my kind of place. I haven't even gotten to paddle any of the creeks or find any of the good trails to run or ride, and I'm already convinced that you could spend a lifetime here without doing all the things you could do without driving more than 2 hours. What a concept!

I finished up the formal part of the job interview process for the trip today. I'm pretty happy with how things went. It was a mad scramble to put together my teaching demonstration and research presentation, but I think that both of them went well. The faculty in the English department here are a really interesting group. Everyone is very nice, incredibly smart, and easy to talk to. Most have outdoor interests and are generally happy, fun people. I had dinner tonight with a prof who's been teaching here since 1966. Yes, 1966. This guy had a student several years ago who was the grandson of a former student of his. I was amazed at how well read he was. We talked about books the entire time and I was in awe of his ability to discuss any book. Amazing really.

I'm excited to see some of my friends from back in the Gorge tomorrow. Chris and Leslie moved out to Missoula a couple of years ago, and they are coming over to Bozeman to ski tomorrow. I am doing a real-estate tour and then hanging out with a couple of profs in the evening, so no skiing for me. But, it'll be great to catch up with Chris and Leslie in the am, then go for a run in the afternoon. I think it's going to be snowing. I'll try to take some pics to put up here. It feels strange to be on a trip without Yellow Dog, and I miss home and my friends. Hopefully, I'll be able convince people to move out here if I get this job. I know YD will love it out here. I sure do. The town is really cool, and this job- well, I couldn't have dreamed up a more perfect job.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Food Guy Travel Guest Spot 1



The Yellow One asked me to write a couple of guest spots while I'm on my trip to Bozeman this week. He's happily chillin' in the ATL while I'm off trying to find a job so I can buy him lots of dog bones and dog food.

Right now I'm sitting the airport in Salt Lake because Delta once again failed to get me to a connecting city on time.

On my last trip, I got to spend a night in Houston while I was trying to get to Salt Lake. It's only fitting that I spend some extra time here in SLC this time. It's no worries, though. SLC has free wifi and I have lots of work to do anyway. I'll catch my new flight to Bozeman at 8:30 and be there in time to grab some sleep before my interview with the good folks at Montana State begins in the morning. Hopefully, I'll have some good news to report and get to go on a little adventure before I catch my flight home Sunday morning. I'll let y'all know what's happening here in the wild west.