September 2024 A focus on color ( trees, rock,layers of earth, prairie grass) and the sound of water and wind!
The “Glacier Gang” left Bonner, Montana for Glacier National Park.We stopped along the way to see the largest Larch tree. It is taller than the Empire State Building and is at least 1000 years old.The tree reveals its resilience having survived at least 40 fires in the area in the past 25 years.Our first stop in Glacier was the Trail of the Cedars to enjoy the cedar forest and beautifully carved rock and cascading water. We ate our lunch at Avalanche Lake and had an opportunity to ask lots of questions of the local forest ranger. The following day we drove to the north side of Lake McDonald to hike to Lake Howe through an area of a former forest fire. This ptarmigan and a mule deer were the only wildlife or humans we saw along the trail. Armed with bear spray and bear bells, we were ready for anything!Driving back along the dirt road, we could see all the “snag” (dead trees) standing amidst so much new growth!Not to miss an opportunity for another hike, we stopped to hike to “Rocky Point” to see the exquisite blue of Lake McDonald.We were up early to drive to East Glacier, some on the “Going to the Sun Road” and others around the southern border of Glacier National Park. Wendy, Lenny and I stopped for a quick lunch and hike at Ole Creek and had a laugh weaving across this suspension bridge. We encountered several other suspension bridges during our time in the park. The following day we assembled at the boat dock on Two Medicine Lake. We were treated by a guided tour of the lake that included a mother moose and her two offspring feeding on the shore.We hiked up to Upper Two Medicine Lake and found an idyllic spot to enjoy the lake and our PB & J sandwiches. The following day we took two short hikes to Paradise Point and Astor Falls.Down the rode a bit and after a short stroll, we came upon this beautiful waterfall. ” Running Eagle” is a tribute to an indigenous person and the tribe who populated this area.Arriving early at the Many Glacier Lodge, we took two boat rides to then hike to Grinnell Lake !Grinnell Lake should never be missed. We took many photos of the lake as the sun changed in the sky and this one was the best ! Such peace and tranquility here.While Mary and Eldon hiked all the way to Grinnell Glacier, Pat and I hiked to Redrock Lake and Redrock Falls. Adjacent to the falls, the rock is a brilliant maroon. The photo cannot adequately reproduce the color.As she was leaving, Becky shared with us the watercolor paintings she had done during our trip. The paintings bring into view the remarkable beauty we experienced during this week in Glacier National Park.It rained tears of sorrow as our gang disbanded. The following day I headed back to Missoula and camped at Flathead Lake.Decided to skip Idaho as it was burning up and enjoyed a different and beautiful landscape of Wyoming and Nebraska.My son, Christopher, has compared me to this character from “Mad Max : “Fury Road” “Imperator Furiosa” is a true road warrior. I drove 1236 miles in three days and made it home safely.
