Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park
The tours are done with wooden boats that have been in service since the late 1930's. (Don't worry, they meet all current safety standards.) The tour offered beautiful views of the mountains from the lake.
Hanging Lights inside Lake McDonald Lodge
The boat tour leaves from Lake McDonald Lodge. The swiss chalet type lodge was built in 1913. It is rustic with no TV's available.
Monday we did the Going to the Sun road, one of the most famous drives there is. 50 miles long, it runs from the west to east entrances of the park (or east to west, depending on where you start).
One of the many curves on Going to the Sun Road
Edge of the road on the left with a spectacular view!
Another view
River in the valley between the mountains
Flowers near Logan Pass
Close up of flowers
One of the remaining glaciers
BEARS. We thought, that if we were to see bears anywhere, it would be at Glacier National Park. Next to our campground was a general store. The manager there not only sold bear spray, but advised campers such as us good places to go where we might see bears. (You know where this story is going, right?) So we bought bear spray. We were up early and late, when bears are the most active, in order to see them. We searched near huckleberry bushes, which were in season and supposedly are a favorite snack of bears. We manged to see some incredible views with early morning fog, but NO bears.
Early morning fog over the meadow
Moon over the campground trees
We had to go to the MN Zoo to see bears!
Wild horses in the middle of the road as we left Glacier National Park
Doing the most popular part of the park, we did not cross the border into Waterton. We're tentatively planning a trip to Banff next summer so may catch the rest of the park on our way there. Again, a plug for our wonderful national parks and the beauty they provide us. And do we have a favorite? No, they are each unique and beautiful in their own ways, and it's hard to make a comparison, let alone choose a favorite.
Once we were done at Glacier, it was time to head towards Minot, MD for my 50th high school reunion. The class of 69 partied hard for three days, catching up with classmates and reminiscing.
Band on Friday Night (former classmates)
Our class had a unique senior year, with a flood and a teachers strike that had us out of school for the month of April that year. (The governor had to approve us graduating because of all the lost days.) Then it was on to Minneapolis to spend time with kids and grandkids before heading east to see the rest of the family in MD. We still have some time to explore this fall before getting to FL on Nov. 1st, so our adventures may not be done yet.
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