Day 17- almost Essex to East Glacier- 40 miles

Today was a shorter day. We stopped in Essex, 10 miles from our campground, and it was disappointing. No grocery store. One overpriced restaurant inside the kitschy hotel. Found a shady spot, stretched, ate some snacks, and went on our way. Five miles from Marias Pass we stopped in at a little cafe and had bowls of soup with the rest of yesterday's $20. Marias Pass was an easy little hill, one of the most beautiful passes, and giantly rewarding- we crossed the continental divide! Water is now flowing east. It's all downhill from here. 

Now, I'm cozy in my tent at our hosts' house, having enjoyed a dinner we threw together from an overpriced "trading post", and a delicious green salad provided by our hosts, Sam and Jo. They have three cats. This is Boo, who weighs 20 pounds, and the other two aren't far behind...