May 30 and 31 - Includes Mark's 75th Birthday

 May 30

     We had a Missoula day today and stayed in town. We did a Costco run for David and Maura and let the dogs out. 

     In the afternoon we visited the new Missoula Arts Museum on the campus. It is in a lovely building with an eclectic permanent collection including  Chagall, a Jacob Lawrence, a Currier and Ives and a Donatello. The temporary exhibit featured 19 artists under the age of 39, all affiliated in some way with the University. 

    We got pizza (Biga Pizza) for dinner and took it over to them with a salad that we then added to.

 May 31, Mark's 75th birthday

      David and Maura picked us up and we all went to the river to walk the dogs. Mark saw and heard a life bird for his "birthday bird," a Hammond's fly catcher. He heard lots of other birds which we did not actually see for sure - a Western tanager, pine siskin, a warbling vireo, western woodpee, a willow fly catcher and a MacGillevray's warbler. Some of those would have been life birds, but we didn't see them.  We did see an eagle perch high in a tree across the river. 

   

   Afterwards, we went back to their house for a repast of delicious leftovers and then we all took siestas for the hot afternoon. (90s)

   

     Dinner was at a fantastic Mexican restaurant, Camino. We shared two delicious tostadas: one of crab and one of tuna. Maura added a soup to her meal and Mark, David and Barbara all had different tacos. We all judged it a special meal with a gourmet twist to foods we often eat - these were out of the ordinary.

            The day culminated at our flat with a Turtle Cake made by Denise's Bakery. Chocolate, carmel, pecan, buttercream. Many layers of flavor and deliciousness. Needless to say - very rich. Good job picking the cake, Maura! Mark successfully blew out his candles hoping for many more birthdays and good health. It was an honor to spend a birthday with one of our children.