I know it may sound repetitive, but the vistas are amazing, incredible, and sometimes emotional. We traveled through some much smaller grain farms, and through some small towns, all the while keeping these beautiful mountains in our view, increasing in size, it seemed, with each mile.
Finally they were looming in front of us, or so it seemed. It wasn't until we traveled through them, that we actually could grasp the true size and impression of these beautiful mountains.
Just outside of Browning, we encountered "Cows on Road" several times. At home there are deer, and moose, but out west, cows. They meander away as you approach, but they are not at all irritated that a car is approaching.
The higher we got, the more snow we saw. It had snowed considerably earlier in the week, a plowable amount from what we could tell. It was in the high 40's by the time we reached St. Mary.
But not before we reached over a mile high! This was before entering Glacier National Park.
We got into one of the Red Buses that are known for giving tours in Glacier. They hold 16 plus the driver. We had a good group, some from various states in the US, two from Holland, and two from Australia. Off we went.
The one place I wanted to see on this trip was our first stop. We had a wonderful driver, who was filled with information about everything to do with the park, and the area. When we got out, I told Ken we could now go home. I had seen what I came to see, Lake Mary nestled in the Glacier mountains.
It looks like Ken is standing in front of a mural. He isn't....
..and neither am I. If I die tomorrow, I die happy!
Especially now that I have this shot, taken by our driver. It has to be one of the most beautiful, calming places on this earth. I look at this and feel peace, and happiness and amazement that it exists, and I have been there.
We continued on, winding around the road that leads up the side of the mountains, headed for Logan Pass, at the Continental Divide. The road was designed not to have many hairpin turns, but a gradual, long incline, with only 2 switchbacks the whole way to the other side. This ride was a piece of cake compared to the mountain ranges in Wyoming.
This looks back across the glacial valley, for miles and miles.
A small waterfall across the valley, and small is probably about 100 feet tall?
Arrived at Logan Pass, in one piece, and could see for miles. The sky was as blue as it gets, and we could still see the moon way up here.
A photo of me and the young driver we had. Lots of fun, he had a great story for many of the scenes along the way. So glad we did the bus tour, as we learned so much about the park, the area, and life around the park.
It was here that he opened the top of the bus, and we could now have access to the sites above us, and a bit of fresh, cool, and sometimes, cold air.
Now we are headed down on the west side of Glacier. The growth is a bit lusher in places, and there are places where there are forests that are over 1000 years old. This looks across another glacial valley. Those groups of trees are about 25-30 feet tall, maybe taller, and look like shrubs!
Another waterfall along the road. The roads are closed in the winter opening in June, and sometimes July before Logan pass is open. There is lots of snow to be melted, or moved, as in avalanches, and also lots of water headed downhill. This was running quite well, as they had snow earlier in the week.
We arrived at Lake McDonald Lodge, on the west side, and were treated to this amazing old lodge. It was 100 years old this year. It was built before the roads were made, hauling logs across the frozen lake in the winter. Huge posts and beams. It wasn't until a few years later that a road was made, so that they could get a huge steam boat up to the lodge. It then could ferry across the lake. It was a cool lodge, a piano that anyone could sit and play at, a huge fireplace that was burning, couple of restaurants, and a gift shop, etc. Must have been a busy place in it's day.
With all the run off from the mountains, there are many inlets to Lake McDonald. This is one of the bigger rivers, allowing for a scenic vista again. We did see some fly fishermen along the way. Fishing in the park is free, you just have to know what you can keep or release.
We stopped at this little waterfall, with the bluest water, as it contains glacial silt. Can only imagine what this river looks like in the spring with the run off. The driver said many places it is 8 feet deep, where now you could wade across it.
On the west side where it is more lush and green, there are big old western red cedars. Some of these are huge, about 12+ feet around. They grow tall and straight. Nice boardwalk into the forest a ways.
Another stop to take in the sights. We took hundreds of photos, every turn giving a different perspective on the mountains.
This one really shows the road in the side of the mountain. Yes, that white line is the road, built along the side of the mountain, gradually inclining up over the mountains. Incredible.
Our wildlife of the ride- a mother mountain goat and a young one. They had crossed by one of the stops just minutes before we got there, but we were able to spy them eating the green grass.
Back at Logan Pass. Top of the world. Crown of the continent. Aptly named.
We arrived back at St Mary Lodge, a bit wind burned, tired and a bit dusty, but so filled with memories of an incredible tour of Glacier National Park. The 7 hour Red Bus ride on the Going To The Sun road is well worth the time and expense. Again, I come away with a feeling of being overwhelmed. So much to take in, so much to see and experience in this park. Not sure if it's the mountains, or the scenery, or the history of it all, but I feel totally enhanced by being able to be a part of it, and see it for myself. Like I said before, if I die today, I die happy.
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