Week 12 (7/2 - 7/8)

Last week I left you as Fish Creek Camp in West Glacier National Park. We are now leaving this portion of Glacier to go a bit south to visit friends over the July 4th holiday.  Before we leave we decide to drive a little way up the west side to see what we can see…

We did not go far before turning around and heading toward Kalispell, Montana to do a bit of house cleaning. 

Once again mesmerized by the computers! 

The next morning I was still getting caught up. Notice that I did a very poor job of picture taking. You will see shadows on the left side of some of the pictures, but heck I'm so behind that something is better than nothing at this point. 

We move on toward our friends and this time we are on the east side of Flathead Lake near a smaller lake where we stop to have lunch. It is a Sunday and the park is busy busy busy!

The confer trees are so distinctive out west, but this drive is particularly beautiful showing off all the various shapes. 

We arrive at the Abolts, transplants from Maryland who have really adopted the Montana way! Relatives from Florida are visiting in their RV and we all have fun sharing our various interiors. You have to understand that 'people like us' who travel in trailers and RVs, love looking at each others layouts, neat innovations, and time saving gadgets.

Abolts have a wonderful three year old who welcomes Daisy.

The next day is the 4th of July and the small town of Condon puts on a parade worthy of NYC!! We had a great time cheering and catching candy, not to mention the huckleberry ice cream!

Friends, family  and dogs gathered back on the Ranch for games and a GRAND meal. 

A tour of the new neighbors elaborate house ended the day with watching the fireworks from his porch.

Next morning it was more delicious food. 

A tour of Russ'  Sculpture Meadow showed us that this DC executive has found his artistic self. This is an enchanted and magical place he has created. 

With only Abby and Daisy left from the previous days circus of dogs, they began playing in ernest just before we said our goodbyes.

We sadly left our Maryland turned Montana friends and headed toward the eastern side of Glacier National Park passing through Ponderosa Pine forests with floors of Bear Grass…and then through forests of bright Aspen trunks that illuminated in the darkness.

We arrived at Two Medicine Camp on the east side of Glacier, where Daisy had to refresh herself in the icy waters much to the delight of a belly laughing 9 month old!

We thought a shady camp spot would be cool and keep the RV from heating up during our day hikes, but…
so first thing the next morning we moved down by the river and in the full sun where we were allowed to be outside the RV without having all our blood sucked out of us. 

We're off to see the sights. 

Moving pass the falls onto higher ground I was overwhelmed by not only the wonderful wild flowers but also all the bleached and twisted dead wood. I couldn't help but think how Russ would love this area! 
As we neared the top of this 'Scenic Overlook' the clouds moved in. THEN…
We had hail, rain, wind, cold, and all that goes with a Montana storm up in the mountains, but as you can see by the picture we were ready and pulled out our trusty foul weather gear. We bought this fancy light weight rain gear for our trip last year to the north west - that wet Washington and Oregon weather! We never used them there, but we have used this rain gear this year in the Arizona desert, the Utah desert, and now the Montana mountains. 

Next day all is clear and we are ready for more hiking.

After hiking we return to the RV and find that Daisy needs some exercise and quality time.

The Ranger at Two Medicine Camp gave wonderfully entertaining talks both nights we were there.  He really got into his topic as well as getting everyone involved.

We left Two Medicine Camp and headed north to Many Glacier Camp.

We immediately set off on a hike, not intending to do 8  miles, but heck…

The wildflowers were so beautiful and we were encourage to push on by sightings of moose - just down the path a bit.
Finally we saw the moose and he was sooooo close, but nestled down for the night in a small clearing behind some low bushes. He did not seem to mind our gawking. 

There is no such thing as bad weather in Montana, just bad clothing.

Many Glacier Camp actually has pay showers as well as a restaurant and hey, when clean why not go for broke! Pay showers mean you put your money in and it gives you so many minutes - then the water stops! No warning! No hint! No slow down! No dribble! It just STOPS, so you better not be sudsy.
We still have more adventures in Glacier National Park to come, but that is next week. 

WEEK 11 (6/25- 7/1)

I left you after having had a quick run through Yellowstone National Park in order to get into Montana and on to Glacier National Park. Most driving days are low key, but our first day heading north was full of chaos. 

The next days were back to normal. It took three days to get to Glacier, not that it is far but we take our time. We drove about 15o miles a day and then spend an extra day in Missoula catching up on the internet and my drawings. 

This picture is in black and white for a reason!
Daisy got a touch of her altitude sickness which only occurs when we return to low altitudes, but we were able to manage it and in no time she was fine.

We see so many bicyclists going cross country or on shorter trips, carrying packs on their bikes or pulling trailers. We even saw one fellow who had his dog in his trailer, but we have never seen anyone pulling a kayak! I wonder if he puts his bike in the kayak when he gets to a river to float down?

Flathead Lake is a welcome sight of blue, blue, clear water! Obviously a favorite vacation spot for people in the area, but the shoreline is so long that we never saw the honky tonk atmosphere that comes with overcrowding along a water line. 

We finally arrive at Glacier National Park and it is a beautiful sunny day. Our history with this park is BAD WEATHER or IMPASSABLE ROADS. So we are thrilled and we have a wonderful time. Such a good time that we end up staying in the park 12 nights - a record time spent in any one place!
We are immediately greeted by a beautiful Bald Eagle - actually the only one we saw while there. We are in Fish Creek Campground on the west side of Glacier.
I was taking pictures of Bear Grass when the camp hostess came and asked me…

I never saw these beauties anywhere else in the park, so this was truly special.

Every night in the National Parks there is a talk or slide show by rangers. Some better than others, but this night we were lucky enough to be entertained by a famous local folk singer, Jack Crawford. 

Next morning we were out early on the road to go for a hike and pleased to see the unusual small fox only found in this area. 

These small flowers were very prolific and in full bloom, but once again I could not find them in my flower book. Finally a Ranger came to my rescue. 

Jamie loved the idea of seeing 5, F I V E, waterfalls all at once.
Another hike in the afternoon was to McDonald Falls.
National Parks don't feel it necessary to provide all the amenities campers would like. Showers were missing in this area so we, as well as others, took advantage of the lake water which if you recall is only melted ice!
Next day we took the shuttle bus over Logan Pass on the 'Road to the Sun'. Our RV is not allowed on this road because it is so narrow and twisty. However taking the shuttle allows both of us to ohhh, and ahhhh.
Once at the pass of 6,000+ feet we hiked to Hidden Lake, but trudging through the SNOW!! All the time I'm thinking, "I hate snow!!" which really isn't true, but at that moment…

We did learn that there are two kinds of  marmotts: Yellow Bellied and Hoary. 

Once we arrived at Hidden Lake we were rewarded by close views of Mountain Goat and kid. Unlike most encounters with wild animals everyone there seemed almost reverent toward the goats. Everyone stayed far enough away, but most amazing everyone whispered like in church!
The next hike of the day was to Baring Falls where the wild flowers were magnificent. 
When we took this photo of Jamie next to the falls in 2006 it was September and there was not much water falling. On this day, July 1, it is ROARING. 

End of this week.