Aug. 2, 2006 - Wednesday
Slept in until the second breakfast seating at 9:15 a.m. -- fresh local fruit; apricot scones; just-squeezed orange juice; crepes with cerries, almonds, powdered sugar, cherry reduction sauce; and coffee, darker than it was yesterday.

Last night we drank some samples at the local microbrewery, ate crepes for dinner at the farmers market (mine, savory -- cornmeal crepe, brie, pesto, greens; Ben's, sweet -- cinnamon and sugar).

I enjoyed Camelot, though the sound quality was poor and the men's costumes (early '90s baby doll style dresses with big poufy sleeves sewn on) were a bit distracting. Ben found it cheesey. The acting was good.

Back at the inn, we tried the sherry that had been set out for guests. I don't think I'll be trying it again -- blech. Also had crackers, cheese, veggies and grapes laid out for guests. Tasty. More Godiva chocolates on our pillows when we turned in.

But that was yesterday. Today, after breakfast, we headed out to Big Mountain fora four-mile hike to the summit.

By the time we reached the peak we were famished. Bad news: The Big Mountain restaurant was closed. Boo.

So we returned to town on the gondola.

We got cleaned up, then chosed down on eggplant sandwich (me), buffalo burger (Ben) and wine at a Whitefish bar and grill. Tasty, but we over did it.

Back at the bed and breakfast, we both passed out above the sheets and fully clothed. When we woke up, my head was full of cobwebs and I badly needed coffee. Apparently, it's ough to find good coffee after 6 p.m. on a Wednesday night in this town. We searched, but eventually had to concede defeat. Sitting sleepily on the bed and breakfast sofa, we shared our woes with innkeeper Chris, a tall, outgoing, hard working and energetic man.

Not only did he brew us up a pot, he also turned down our bed, aired out our room, changed our towels and laid out a fresh dish of dark chocolate.

Tonight, Ben and I are reading, resting and enjoying the warmth of the heavy down comfortor as the crisp Montana night blows in.

Oh! Forgot this: Before hiking, Ben and I spent an hour at a day spa getting our first-ever professional massages. I went the full body route, while he asked his masseuse to do deep tissue work on his back and neck. It was very nice.

It took about two hours, and by the time we reached the peak we were famished. Bad news: the Big Mountain restaurant was closed. Boo.