A wedding under the big blue Montana sky

When the save-the-date card came for Matt and Kate's wedding in Montana, we started getting serious about finishing the states. I needed North Dakota (next door to Montana!) and Michigan (not close to anything!), and Greg only needed South Dakota (so close!)

Knowing it would be a special family event, and with the states within reach, there was no difficulty accepting the wedding invitation. Greg, Elizabeth and I flew into Bozeman, with a lay-over in Minneapolis, Friday afternoon, and Stephen flew to Butte from Dulles.
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Changing terminals in Minneapolis

Posing with local wildlife

We met up at Homestake Lodge, the wedding location, near Butte. Homestake Lodge is a cross country skiing resort in the winter, and a hiker's dream in the summer. The rehearsal dinner was a wonderful gathering of family and old and new friends.

Saturday dawned a beautiful day. With an afternoon wedding, we had the morning free to explore Butte. It's a mining town, and one of the attractions is the Berkeley Pit, a former copper mine, now a large pit of toxic sludge. Yes, it is.

Matt and Kate had a beautiful day for an outdoor wedding, in a truly lovely setting. We were happy to be able to share it with them!

Matt and Kate's dogs, Leo and Theo, were ring bearers!

Tomorrow, the adventure to 50 states begins!