Because we live in a small space, we have decided not to make a gift registry. Your presence, support and love are more than enough! If you are interested in giving a cash gift, we have added a Newlywed Fund to the Registration tab of the website. Alternately, if you are interested in giving a charitable donation as a gift, here are links to some nonprofits that we support! Free Cycles - A community nonprofit promoting safe & sustainable transit. Also, our wedding venue! https://www.freecycles.org/freecyclesforever The Poverello Center - A nonprofit providing food, shelter, and help to our unhoused neighbors in Missoula. https://thepoverellocenter.org/donate/ UNRWA USA - A nonprofit in partnership with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which provides humanitarian aid to Palestinians. https://www.unrwausa.org/donate
Both Yellowstone and Glacier are great choices! Glacier is closer to Missoula -- the West Glacier entrance is a 2.5-hour drive that takes you along the coast of beautiful Flathead Lake. However, Going to the Sun Road does not fully open until late June due to snow so only a small percentage of the park is accessible in May. Lake MacDonald, Apgar Visitor Center, and hikes to Avalanche Lake will be accessible, but many of the iconic areas will still be closed. West Yellowstone is a 4-hour drive from Missoula. In May it still may be chilly/snowy, so dress for the weather. You will get to see amazing thermal features and animals including (if you're lucky) baby bison which are born in the spring! Because it is a holiday weekend, we recommend booking lodging ASAP!
The CSKT Bison Range is a 40-minute drive and great for a day trip. The Bitterroot Valley, south of Missoula, has many beautiful hikes. We recommend hiking Blodgett Canyon or Bass Creek. We also recommend taking a soak in local natural hot springs -- Weir Hot Springs and Jerry Johnson are about 1 hour away just over the Idaho Border.
Easy: Walk along the Clark Fork River on the Kim Williams Trail, or walk along Rattlesnake Creek in Greenough Park. Or go to the Mt. Jumbo Trailhead and hike up to the L Medium: Hike up Waterworks from the Waterworks Trailhead Parking Lot. If you have a car, we recommend checking out the Sunshine Trail or the main corridor of the Rattlesnake Recreation Area. Harder: From the Kim Williams trail along the river, hike up the smokejumper trail to the top of Mt. Sentinel, and descend via the M trail. Great views of campus from there!