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