Getaway for half a day – Mom Self Care in Montana
Everyone knows that vacation with toddlers means you get ALL the fun of less rest and caring for your kids in a less convenient location. We met up with our family for two weeks in rural Yellowstone Country Montana. And wow. After 10 days I was completely ready for some mom self care.
The sweetest words your partner can say are: Why don’t you take tomorrow off
One Monday, my sister and I felt stuck when my husband said he would watch the kids the next day (it was 11pm, after a long day). We wanted the day off, but hadn’t planned anything – we were 45+ miles from anywhere that resembled civilization. And we were both suffering from decision burnout after 10 days looking after 4 kids.
We decided on ‘town’ for breakfast and then Water of the Gods Norris Hot Springs where we spent a delightful afternoon the previous week would make a great, casual, and easy retreat day (look for my upcoming blog post about it – super fun).
I even had a picture of it, but we didn’t look before we drove the 40+ miles to Norris, Montana.
After our diner breakfast we hit the road for Norris, Montana. We followed a gigantic dump truck into the parking lot and discovered, WHOMP WHOMP, Water of the Gods: closed on Tuesdays (and also, by the way, getting it’s driveway re-graveled).
Mom self care without a plan – oh the humanity
We pulled out of the parking lot and parked on the side of the road. No cell phone service. No map. No idea what we were going to do. Not a ton of roads in rural Montana, and the one we were on goes towards Bozeman. We embraced adventure and drove to Bozeman. We followed signs to Bozeman Hot Springs and discovered a great family destination.
Bozeman Hot Springs
When you walk into the sleek and inviting lobby you find helpful staff who direct you to the many pools heated to various temperatures, both inside and out.
Outside you find the real gem of the facility. Giant blocks of stone and tiered sitting areas break up the four outdoor pools. The outdoor space focuses on a stage where they host concerts year round. Nice lounge chairs and patio tables surrounded the three hotter arc shaped pools that range in temperature from 99 to 106 degrees. The water is rich in sodium, silica, bicarbonate, carbonate, chloride, and sulfate.
No comment on how it makes her feel. LOL.
Our original plan was to take the waters in Norris and come home before dinner. I messaged my husband that our plans changed. He replied “All good, come home after bedtime”. So, what were two sisters to do? We lounged around for a couple hours, trying all the outdoor pools. I caught up on some much needed internet time – wifi was spotty at the ranch house. We read books silently.
Big Sky Resort
After some quiet relaxation, my sister proposed heading to Big Sky Resort for happy hour and dinner. The drive from Bozeman to Big sky takes you through the breathtaking Gallatin River valley where we saw dozens of white water rafters doing their thing.
I’ve never been to Big Sky Resort before, and it’s a little mind blowing in the scale. Communities dot the mountain from the foot of the Gallatin valley all the way up to the ski hub. As the pictures show, the drive is as bucolic as a mountain drive can get.
Cause it was freezing. And I only had a sundress on.
Our plan didn’t include going out. We showered at Bozeman Hot Springs, but brought zero in the way of hair products or cosmetics. Heck, I’m just glad I packed a bra and underwear (so I wasn’t wearing my wet suit under my sundress). As we gained elevation, the temperature went from 80F to 50F.
We hopped out of the car for a selfie. As a group of women walked by in fleeces, boots, even scarves, they judged us, I’m sure (and rightfully so). We were completely underdressed for the location, my sister even had on flip-flops. Cue 25 minutes of laughing at ourselves. So, we found one of the few restaurants open during the summer, drank some hand crafted cocktails, and passed the time with the bartender and staff.
50 degrees in Big Sky, Montana
Rainbow Ranch Lodge
We saw a bighorn sheep going down the mountain on our way to dinner at Rainbow Ranch Lodge, our next destination. Rainbow Ranch Lodge sits right along the side of the road, but the low slung main building hides the most beautiful grounds that stretch past the Gallatin River.
2) Go back to Rainbow Ranch Lodge and spend a few nights in paradise.
The restaurant’s picture windows look onto the lodge grounds, the river, and mountainside. Dinner was amazing western gourmet, eclectic and carefully curated. Everything from app to main course was superb (menu). And the cozy intimate bar there served the most scrumptious cocktails (I heart huckleberry mules now).
Yellowstone at dusk – mom self care – getting some pictures
We finished our dinner at sunset and headed back to reality – 90 miles on scenic, twisty, two lane roads. When you head through Bighorn Pass you skirt briefly into Yellowstone National Park, since there was NO ONE on the road at 9pm we stopped for a photo-op at the “Welcome to Yellowstone” sign. Stay tuned for more about Yellowstone later this week; it’s my favorite place on earth.
As if, on cue, in the fading twilight a pair of grizzly bears ambled through a meadow on the side of the road (probably near-adult cubs that were not solitary yet). As the night faded, the light mist of rain shimmered on their backs. We found ourselves in a magical moment.
Never a good idea to get too close to wildlife.
12 hours of Mom self care helped so much
We got back home 12 hours after we left. But it doesn’t matter where and it doesn’t matter what happens or for how long. Having a conversation with my sister that no one under 5 feet tall interrupted was priceless. Similarly, we didn’t prepare any meals or clean up. How grand.
I get caught up in the idea that self care is some idyllic spa day, or a weekend away with friends, or yoga. Or something else virtuous and well planned that heals my spirit or meets some obligation. Usually my ‘days off’ get filled with running errands, taking care of neglected chores. You know what I mean.
I was a deer in the headlights when told to take a day off. So frozen by the idea that not planning ahead invalidated a day off. But a day off is a day off, so when you get the chance, run. What is a dream day off for you (mine would be 5 star resort spa day with someone bringing me drinks – we’re talking fantasy, right)? What did your last day off look like?
9 Comments
Everybody says, "Duh...he's the dad" when it comes to watching the kids solo. But it's his vacation too, and to offer a day off for you is super sweet. I love it! Looks like a blast and definitely good for mama to take a break!
What an awesome getaway and an example of how to do self- care on the fly. Sometimes you just have to take the days when you can get them. They can't always be planned!
I really enjoyed reading about your day, since I am from Montana! I grew up around Bozeman, and my Mom grew up in West Yellowstone, so we spent a lot of time there. And Bozeman Hot Springs is nothing like the dump it was when we were growing up! It was fun to read about all of the places you visited!
Jamie Tutson
This is goals for me. Y'all look like you had the absolute best time.