Gale and her sister Laura Straub had been dreaming of a reunion road trip since briefly visiting Montana when they were 16. They came to Montana hoping to see mountains, lakes, wildlife and small-town charm but when they hit the open road, they found a rekindled connection with each other.
Day One
6:30 AM
The girls plan their route from the back of the van, marking the roads less traveled and setting goals for the journey ahead.
8:15 AM
They pull over to take in the all-encompassing view of the mountains, snap some breathtaking photos and press on.
4:00 PM
The girls devote the afternoon to swimming in the hot springs-a long awaited first for Laura.
Day Two
8:00 AM
Even on the road, Gale and Laura begin their day with a hearty breakfast
11:30 AM
They trek five miles along the creek, over the bridge and through the wilderness to discover an old miner’s cabin—a diamond in the rough.
3:00 PM
An open-air boat takes them down the Missouri River to explore the towering rock formations named by Lewis and Clark in 1805.
5:15 PM
A traditional brewery tour gives them a taste of history, followed by a flight of beer at the Blackfoot River Brewing Company taproom.
8:30 PM
They reach a campground and decide to settle in for the night, building a fire and soaking up their surroundings.
Day Three
7:00 AM
On the final leg of their journey, the girls hike a mountain trail to ground themselves in nature one last time.
10:00 AM
Gale and Laura retreat back to the van and quietly head towards home, secretly planning their next road trip between the mountains.