Day 137 - July 31, 2008

Today is a very special day for us - it is the birthday of our eldest daughter Carrie. Happy Birthday to you Carrie. We will be nice and not tell your age (of course telling your age makes us feel very old, so it serves us well to keep a tight lip).

Today we got a late start as we tried to update the blog from yesterday in the morning. We have discovered that the wifi in the campground is only as good as the number of people who are trying to use it. So, the evening hours are a frustrating time of continually being bumped off. It is much better to access in the morning or very late at night.

We saw many really neat things today on the eastern side of the park. I think you will agree from the pictures below.

This is the fire to the east of Fishing Bridge. It was started by a downed power line fueled by the winds. Since it was not a natural fire, they are trying to put it out. However, it is not even to the point of being contained. Thank goodness it is not in an area where there are buildings or people. The only consequence we are suffering is a blocked road.

We searched high and low today along some mighty dusty dirt roads in search of a bear and this is all we saw. Check out the little black dot in the middle of the picture. I guess we can be thankful we didn't run across one on a hiking trail.

View from the Calcige Springs Overlook.

Petrified Rock - a redwood that, while standing, was burned by volcanic ash more than 50 million years ago. There used to be 3 trees but souvenoir takers demolised the other two trees so you can understand why the remaining one is inside a fence.

Undine Falls

This is not Disneyland - this is real stuff. Check out the mule deer right outside the Mammoth Hot Springs Lodge. Can you believe it - there were actually 4 deer just feasting on the grass in front of the lodge. Pretty incredible!!

Day 136 - July 30, 2008

Today we tried to get an early start to catch a ranger program. Well, our first mistake was to try to drive through McDonald's for a quick breakfast - Bad Mistake. Total chaos. Well, we decided to go to a little cafe and had a nice big breakfast. Then it was on to Canyon Village. We went to the Visitor Center and saw a nice film and checked out a couple of the shops. Then we went to the South Rim area and walked a very steep trail and we were able to see the fantastic Upper Falls. Then on to Artist Point for a spectacular view of the Lower Falls. Then we rode through Hayden Valley and saw lots of buffalo. We were planning to go down to Fishing Village for some more touring but we could see a lot of smoke and found out there was a fire down in Fishing Village from a downed power line. So, the road was closed. Hopefully, they will contain the fire quickly.

Our change of plans took us to the Norris Basin and we took the boardwalk trail and saw geysers, hot springs and lots of hot pots.

Quite a breathe taking day we had!!

Herd of Elk

We like to stop and eat our picnic lunch at one of the picnic areas. It beats the crowds and wait time at the various eating places. This picnic spot was right by the Yellowstone River.

Upper Falls as seen from the Uncle Tom's Trail which is a very, very steep 500' staircase.

Lower Falls as seen from Artist Point. Isn't this spectacular!!

"O give me a home where the buffalo roam". We had many encounters in the Hayden Valley. The valley is a former lakebed. Soil here permits little tree growth, and the shrub-and-grass land valley plants are used by grazing animals.

Steamboat Geyser in the Norris Geyser Basin. We saw this one on the 1.5 mile Back Basin Loop hike. Pretty amazing!!

Clear Springs at the Norris Geyser Basin area. The basin is living testimony to the park's unique thermal activity. It is the location of one of the park's highest concentrations of thermal features. Underground water temperatures can reach 459 degrees.

Day 135 - July 29, 2008

Today was a travel day from Livingston, MT to West Yellowstone, MT. The route we took was right through Yellowstone National Park. Oh my gracious, what a gift to the USA this park is. It was very emotional for me since ever since I first heard about Yellowstone, I have wanted to visit it and here we were. You know me, when I get emotional the tears falls and they certainly did when we first experienced this fantastic landscape. Again, we are so incredibly thankful to be able to make this "Bid Adventure" and don't take our blessings for granted.

Today we will be planning our touring. We have 8 days here and I hope we do not leave a stone unturned. Also, this afternoon Frank went into town for the search for the "Gus cut/crease" hat. Hopefully he will be successful. Will let you know tomorrow.

Day 133 - July 27; Day 134 - July 28, 2008

Well on Sunday, July 27th we had a laid back day and didn't get started on our touring till midafternoon. So, we decided to travel the 18 miles to downtown Livingston, MT. This is an old railroad town that dates back to 1902.

Now on Monday, July 28th we were up and at 'em as today was our whole day white water rafting trip on the Yellowstone River. It was a blast. Judge for yourself by the pictures below.

Day 131 - July 25, 2008 and Day 132 - July 26, 2008

OK - today you get a double dose as I catch up. On the 25th we went to one of the best interpretive centers we have yet to visit- The Lewis and Clark National Historical Trail Interpretive Center in Great Falls, MT. The exhibits were fantastic and the staff and volunteers were extremely friendly and knowledgeable. It was one of our best "museum" stops. Then we continued on to several western wear shops as Frank continued his quest for the perfect Gus cut/crease hat. He found one but wouldn't you know it wasn't in his size.

On the 26th we had a travel day from Great Falls, MT to Livingston, MT. As you can see from the pictures the state of Montana is utterly beautiful and majestic. I can definitely see why its nickname is "Big Sky" as everything here in the landscape is huge and makes you see what an infinitely small part of the universe that we are.

The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center in Great Falls, MT

This is called "Paradise Valley". It is on the route from Great Falls, MT to Livingston, MT which we travelled today. It is framed by the Absaroka (which is in the picture) and the Gallatin ranges and is traversed by the pristine Yellowstone River. What an incredible country we have!!!

View from our camp site of the Yellowstone River. Can you believe we are pulled into our site front first and have this beautiful view right from the Coach?

Day 130 - July 24, 2008

Today was a travel day from West Glacier, MT to Great Falls, MT. We chose to go a non interstate route and we saw some beautiful rolling hills landscape. The trip was good. We did not get lost and the campground is a typical nice RV Park - lots of amenities but no trees and all these high ticket motor homes about 30' apart.

Day 129 - July 23, 2008

Today we started our day by regrouping after our long touring day yesterday. Then we went on a ranger led hike to Rocky Point. The emphasis of the hike was to explore the land of the 2003 Robert fire. It was very, very interesting and we learned an important fact that fire is not always bad but there is some good that comes out of it too.

This is our last night in this campground so we went down to the community campfire and really enjoyed meeting other campers. Then we had a rain shower so that put a damper on that.

We also wanted to share a picture with you of our great neighbors. They have been fantastic and it has been our sincere pleasure to spend time with their family.

View from Rocky Point

Papa and "The Eagle"

Our campsite at San-Suz-Ed campground at West Glacier, MT

Our wonderful camping neighbors at West Glacier. The way the park is designed, you could pull in either way so as good luck would have it our front doors faced each other so we could visit frequently. Around the table there is Joe, Hayleigh (forgot how to spell it), Bobby, Joe and Ian. They are from Colorado and you could not meet a nicer family.

Day 128 - July 22, 2008

Today we got up at the crack of dawn to catch an early morning park shuttle to make our way to the boat dock at Rising Sun. This involved taking two different shuttles. The first shuttle ride was in a minivan size shuttle as that is the only size that can make it up to Logan's Pass. Then we switched to a larger shuttle which took us to Rising Sun. We had a great ranger led trip across St. Mary's Lake and then a 3 mile (round trip) hike to St. Mary's Falls. Then we took a short hike to Baring Falls. Next we hiked to a lunch spot and then began our epic shuttle trip to get back. You see at 7:00 am it was easy to get a quick shuttle. However, at 2:30 pm it was not the same. It took us about 4 hours to get home on three different shuttles. However, the sights of the day made it all worthwhile. I think when you look at the pictures below that you will agree.

Incredible sight on our boat ride to St. Mary Falls - does it get any better than this?

The St.Mary Falls - check out the beautiful water color due to "glacier flour"

The Barring Falls

One of the last remaining glaciers at Glacier National Park - the Sexton Glacier

Day 127 - July 21, 2008

Today was a day of incredible sights. We drove on the scenic "Going to the Sun" road to Logan's Pass. This road is the only American roadway designated both a National Historic Landmark and a National Civil Engineering Landmark. A multi-year rehabilitation effort is currently ongoing so we did experience some construction delays but the sights along the way made up for any delay. At Logan's Pass we attended a ranger program about the disappearing glaciers. So guys as you will read in the July 20th post, if you want to see the glaciers you will need to come out here in the next 10 years.

Then we went on a hike to Hidden Lake Overlook (3 miles round trip through a whole lot of snow). What an awesome sight when we rounded the corner and saw Hidden Lake. It was one of those events that you will remember for the rest of your life. As an extra added bonus we saw several mountain goats along the trail.

On our way back on the "Going the the Sun" highway we stopped to see McDonald Falls. What a great day of totally awesome sights.

The "Weeping Wall" on the "Going to the Sun Road"

A breath taking sight!!

One incredible sight after another!!

Can you believe this is July 21st and we are hiking in the snow? Also note that Papa is hiking in sandals and socks. Not too good for the snow.

Majestic views!!

We reached the end of the Hidden Lake Overlook!!

Hidden Lake

Mountain Goat walking along the trail too!!

Mama and Baby Goat on the Hidden Lake Trail

McDonald Falls

Day 126 - July 20, 2008

Today Frank and I took separate paths. Frank wanted to get in a long fast walk and I'm more of the slow short walk type. So Frank walked down to Fish Creek Campground and walked along the west shore of Lake McDonald ( a 6 mile hike). Thanks goodness a bear didn't get him. I walked around Lake McDonald a little bit and then went on a ranger led hike called the "Oxbow Stroll". I learned so much information. Do you realize that even if we all stopped driving our vehicles and shut down all the power plants, we could not effect the current global warming. The carbon we produce from our very comfortable lifestyles stays around for 100 years. 55% of the carbon goes in the atmosphere and 45% goes in the ground and waterways. Therefore, the current global warming we are experiencing is the result of the beginning of the industrial revolution so that is why we cannot snap our fingers and change our habits and expect immediate results. Also, when Glacier National Park was opened in 1910 there were 150 glaciers. At the last official count in 2005 there were 30 glaciers in the park. They anticipate the count in 2008 will only be 18 glaciers and these few will be gone by 2018 or 2020 at the latest. Isn't that frightening?

Lake McDonald - can you imagine a sight more beautiful!!!

Can you believe how clean and clear the water is here!!

The 450 year old Cedar trees on the Trail of the Cedars. Note the burn cycle for cedars is usually around 500 years so these cedars may not be around too much longer.

The beautiful color of the water here at Glacier National Park

Lake McDonald Lodge

Day 125 - July 19, 2008

Oh My Gracious - what an utterly fantastic day. It is wonderful to be back in a National Park. The beauty is just overwhelming and majestic.

We had a fabulous day. We drove over to the Two Medicine area of Glacier National Park. We started with a hike up to Running Eagle Falls which was simply awesome. Then we took a boat ride across Two Medicine Lake and a .9 mile hike to Twin Falls. It was really neat because the boat franchise provided a guide along the hike to Twin Falls. Again we were filled with awe as we arrived at Twin Falls. Then we took a hike up to Appistoki Falls which was just ok. Then we stopped by Glacier Park Lodge, Izaak Walton Inn and Goat's Lick (all of these were suggestions from Parker which were fabulous - thanks again Parker).

It is very good to be back in national parks - there is nothing like them in their natural beauty.

Another "Parker Tip"of a scenic overlook beyond the turn to Two Medicine.

Is this not "God's Country"?

Twin Falls - Frank sure doesn't look like an almost 62 year old. Check out those "pretty legs".

Twin Falls

Interior of Glacier Park Lodge. Do you think you are inside Wilderness Lodge at Disney World?

Red Bus in front of Glacier Park Lodge. Did you know that Parker was a "jammer" (driver) of one of these red buses the year he graduated from college before it was time for "real work". That is why you will see several references to Parker as we tour Glacier National Park. He has given us lots of "insider" information from his time out here.

We actually saw goats at Goat Lick. Another one of Parker's suggestions. This was really neat.

Lobby of Izaak Walton Inn in Essez, MT. What a step back in time. Parker told us to stop here and was it ever a treat!! Thanks Parker for the great tip. It was built in 1939 by the Great Northern Railway. It once served as living quarters for rail crews who serviced the railroad. The Amtrak train stops a mere 100 yards from the front door of the lodge.

Day 124 - July 18, 2008

Today we traveled from Polson, MT to West Glacier, MT. Simply beautiful country!!! We settled into our campground and then took a ride over to the entrance to west side of Glacier National Park to pick up some literature to plan our future days here. Then Frank drove to Kalispell on his search for the gus cut cowboy hat. No luck on the hat but he stopped by Moose's to get a t-shirt.

Lake McDonald