Joan and I flew to Bozeman, Montana, on September 12, 2025, to participate in an Off the Beaten Path (OBP) exploration of the Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks. This was a day before the official start on the evening of the 13th, giving us time to explore. After checking in at our hotel, the Kimpton Armory, we went up and down the main street, identifying options for tomorrow's breakfast and lunch, bought some chocolate, and visited the Off the Beaten Path home office to see folks that so far only been voices on the phone, or an email address. We and other visitors had some great travel conversations there.
We had an early dinner at the hotel (5:00) so we could attend a movie about Ellen Jovin's quest to set up a grammar table in a public space in all fifty states, answering grammar questions from passers-by. Joan had earlier purchased tickets online for this documentary, to be shown in the historic Ellen Theater that evening. On arriving at the theater, we discovered Ellen out front hawking her book, Rebel with a Clause: Tales and Tips from a Roving Grammarian. We chatted and bought a copy, which she signed. The Ellen Theater was a restored historic and well-decorated building, the movie was
entertaining and enlightening, and Ellen answered questions afterward. How fortunate it was that the trip schedule allowed us to be in Bozeman on this particular day! 
Observed from the curb.
Joan and I had a chat with the owner of another historic home, who was mowing his lawn and curious about these two strangers staring at his house.
After coffee and a big breakfast at the Main St. Over Easy, Joan and I spent most of the 13th exploring. We visited the old Bozeman jail, now the Gallatin History Museum with a wide range of exhibits and historical artifacts. Bozeman was a boom town in the 1860s due to the discovery of gold in nearby Virginia City and the creation of the Bozeman Trail, which attracted settlers and
miners to the area. We followed a walking tour route through the old town, with many classic/historic buildings, including the T. Byron Story Mansion. (Click on any image to enlarge.)
The current St. James Episcopal Church building was built in 1889-90.
Then our wandering took us to the Emerson Arts & Culture Center, which includes an artists' co-op. Joan and Nick, one of two glass artists, fell into a long conversation. Then we decided to visit La Chatelaine Chocolat to buy more chocolate confections. Finally, back at our hotel, we checked out the rooftop pool, and I took this elevated photo of Bozeman.
That evening our group assembled, and food, introductions, advice, and schedules were served. Jack and Steve, our Off the Beaten Path guides, took a photo of each table; here's the one featuring Joan and me.
What a day!
