September 9…. Glacier

We spent yesterday and today in Glacier National Park in Montana.

Yesterday started very early, 6:30am, to try for a parking spot at Logan Pass, way up on the Continental Divide in the park. Nope, not nearly early enough, we’re told the lot was full over an hour before we got there. Oh well, there’s more to do.

The (only) road from one side of the park to the other is called the Going To The Sun Road. Most of it is just a pretty two lane road, winding through forests, and along rivers or lakes. But once it starts up the mountains, it turns evil.

VERY narrow. VERY winding. There’s a maximum length vehicle restriction of 21 feet, to ensure vehicles can still navigate the tight curves. (My truck is 22 🫣). Straight drop offs on one side, with only a 12 inch curb, and a vertical rock wall on the other, sometimes with chunks of rock sticking into the road. Every now and then, there’s a pull off to allow people to stop and enjoy the view, usually packed full of cars and people, we were lucky sometimes to happen across a spot just as we reached one. The road has a generous share of drivers that are either scared of the drop off, or scared of the wall, so they just drive down the center of the road. Sadly, they don’t seem to be scared of being in the center and going around a blind curve. Makes for some interesting moments.

We stopped where we could to sightsee, and went on a few short hikes. Saw waterfalls up close and more waterfalls and a glacier, way off in the distance.

It takes almost two hours of driving to get from one side to the other, and then another two to get back. And then even more because we stopped as often as possible. That is one big park… over 1500 square miles and more than a million acres.

Today, Susy and I went on a short five mile hike up to Avalanche Lake, another crystal clear mountain lake fed by an enormously tall waterfall.

Funny, when we started this trip, I was looking for mile-and-a-half walks, and now 5 or 6 miles is a morning stroll. Hmmmm. 🤯

Tonight, we are visiting some of my oldest friends. The gang from my neighborhood back home and Susy’s sister Laura and and friend Sandy flew out here for a visit. Probably just to visit Glacier, but at least they timed it to see us too… I’ll take it. 😆

Gina, Connie, Kelly, Jeff, Jay, Jimmy, and a big shout out to Lindy for a special birthday. It’s been so good seeing you all, and believe it or not, I kinda missed you all. Even you Kelly. 😉

😂😂