When the going gets hot, the hot eat salads.

Tonight's warm weather made me crave simple food that doesn't involve a hot skillet or oven. One of my favorite salads is a simple mix of cannellini beans and conserved tuna with greens tossed in a balsamic/Dijon vinaigrette. I substituted smoked salmon in a pinch tonight. While I prefer the tuna, this substitution worked out quite nicely. Jen's bread toasted, and with olive oil added nice texture to the meal. 

 

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West Yellowstone's Taqueria Las Palmitas

Thank you, food gods for guiding the old school bus that is Taqueria Las Palmitas to a parking spot in the heart of West Yellowstone.

Here's the drill: get on the bus, place your order, wait for tasty Mexican goodness. Consume. Benches and counters line the front half of the bus, with the kitchen in the back. A few picnic tables outside are available if the weather is playing nice.

Today's special was the verde burrito, which I enjoyed filled with carnitas, frijoles y arroz and a delicious tomatillo-based salsa verde. A nice touch on all of Las Palmas dishes is the garnish of house-pickled (bus-pickled?) Jalapeños and carrots and a small container of thin and hot salsa.

They offer about thirty different dishes ranging in price from $1.50 for a single taco to $8.99 for more elaborate fare. The burrito pictured and a Mexican Coke set me back about $8. Sweet.

Las Palmas (or the "taco bus" as it is simply known among townies) is a gem and worth a stop the next time you find yourself at Yellowstone's West Entrance.

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Who's Down with the B.L.T.?

While I was enjoying an exceptionally tasty BLT tonight (BLaT, more accurately: bacon, lettuce, avocado, tomato) on Jen's fresh-baked no-knead pumpernickel bread, I couldn't help but merge the sandwich's name with the classic hip-hop tune, the O.P.P.

Wrong? Yes. Result? I'm down with the B.L.T.

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Turkey in the straw? No. Fox by my house? Yes.

Just after dinner tonight I noticed this little fellow wandering outside our kitchen window. Perhaps a little too fearless of humans, he (or she) didn't seem too concerned about the sound of my rapidly clicking shutter. After taking a few moments to vogue for the camera, it was time move on to other foxy things...

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Idaho's Big Spring

Idaho's Big Spring bubbles up out of the ground like a giant water feature that landscapers try, but inevitably fail to recreate in man-made fountains, ponds, and pools. Just a thirty minute drive from West Yellowstone, this little oasis is where the Henry's Fork of the Snake River gets underway. Right here.

Crystal clear water, huge (and protected) trout, muskrats, gulls, chickadees and general loveliness will greet you as you stroll the few paths that surround the site.

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Bozeman's Bacchus Pub

A rainy/snowy Bozeman Saturday set the tone for our lunchtime outing to the Bacchus Pub. My desire for calories track upward whenever the temps drop and humidity levels rise. 

Welsh rarebit never fails to come to the caloric rescue. A mixture of good cheese and a rasher of bacon broiled to bubbly perfection, rarebit will simultaneously restore the life-force within and send your triglyceride level off the charts. One piece of flatbread was provided. Initially, we wondered why not more bread? While the bread was a nice delivery vehicle, it mainly just got in the way. Forget the bread, just get me a spoon.

We also enjoyed the hot, filling, and well-seasoned shepherd's pie and chicken pot pie. Both looked pretty in the window light spilling in from Main Street and tasted great on this chilly, damp day. 

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Evening Along Highway 191 in Yellowstone

A few beavers have taken it upon themselves to dam the Gallatin River just as it exits Yellowstone Park. From the looks of things, their efforts are paying off.

 

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