Three days ago, we stopped seven miles short of Lowell, Idaho (the goal for the night) to stay in a small rafting town.  We were convinced to do so by the local rafting boys and good dark beer.  The next morning we regretted our decision immensely as Rachel and I were "carsick".  By some amazing feat, the three of us made it our allotted 70 miles uphill for the next day, but it definitely wasn't pretty.  Thankfully, Dan forced us to take a hike to some hot springs that really turned the day around.  Since I had seen a BEAR (literally... not a figment of my imagination, but a real life BEAR) on the road earlier in the day, I wasn't feeling especially ready to take on a difficult hike deep into the wilderness to sit in a pool of hot water.  Rachel wanted to just get to our campsite for the night since it was getting dark.  Dan declared that he would meet us at the campsite after he hiked to the springs.  Since it's against Rachel and my natures to miss out on anything sweet, we reluctantly decided to come along.  IT WAS AMAZING.  We saw the steam a little before we saw the spring, and we rounded the corner to a pool of natural hot water all to ourselves.  Surrounded by huge trees and a river, we soaked up the heat and played.  Question of the day: Why didn't God put hot springs in Iowa!?!?

We are officially in our third state of the trip: MONTANA!  Rachel and I are now on our own again.  Danny is leaving to meet his friends in Colorado for a fishing trip.  Rachel and I are going to make it to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming on July 1st where two of our awesome friends (Scott and Trey) are giving us a ride back to Iowa City to finish out the summer.  We're bummed that our adventure is coming to such a quick close, but we figure we'll just have to bring the adventure to Iowa.  Any takers?

Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you, Rachel Hanus corrupted me yet again in Missoula, Montana.  There may be an extra hole in each of our noses upon our return to Iowa.  Someone break it to Grandpa so I don't have to.  Love you all! :)