Yellowstone/Glacier part 2

 We have 2 days left before time to head home. This morning we are taking some time off to do maintenance (laundry, errands, rest...). At the time of my last post, we were moving into our room at the StoneCreek Lodge just outside of Gardiner. It was a beautiful place to stay...large, comfortable room across the road from the Yellowstone River and pastures full of elk! The town of Gardiner is mostly a tourist town, catering to people going to Yellowstone. It is right at the NE entrance of the park...at the Roosevelt Gate. Deer and elk freely roam all over town. You can't go into town without seeing them everywhere! It was so pleasant to sit outside, dining, while watching a cow elk resting next door, or a bull walking around bugling.

Elk beside our lodge in Gardiner

View from our lodge

We ended up seeing all of the animals that we had hoped to see while in Yellowstone. Wolves was the primary animal on our list, and we saw them almost every day...even though it took some strong magnification to be able to see them. That last day was pretty exciting when they had killed something and a bear came down to see if they had left any tidbits lying about. Unfortunately (for him), all that was left was what the ravens were able to pick clean. We did get to watch his trek along the valley, past a big grey wolf heading toward its pack, and getting into a little set-to with some bison.

Saturday, we packed up and left Yellowstone behind, heading north. We spent one night in Missoula. Our room was one of the nicest that we've ever stayed in. I could have stayed there much longer! It had a little kitchenette area, a comfortable couch and easy chair, a dinette table, and a wall full of picture windows to enjoy the view. We were able to take some time to rest up and recuperate before hitting Glacier. Sunday morning, we had a leisurely morning, had our worship service, loaded up and went into town for a little shopping at Cabelas. We found a few things we wanted and then at the checkout, the cashier told us it was the last day of their promotion to sign up new card holders. If Dennis referred me to get a card, he got $25 off his order. If I got approved for a card, I got $25 off of my order. Since we had about $60 worth of merchandise, we ended up only spending about $10, plus I got a free cap (which I have no use for) and a WONDERFUL fluffy blanket (which I have used every day since I got it!). That was a profitable stop! Afterwards we got a scrumptious burger at Montana Jack's and drove to Kalispell. Although our room wasn't as large and luxurious as in Missoula, the hotel was really nice! They served a full breakfast the next morning, and managed to do it in accordance to COVID-19 restrictions. 

Since Kalispell is only about 30-40 miles from Glacier, we had a good start on our day. We got to the park around 10:00 am and took the Road to the Sun, stopping along the way to take pictures at turnouts along the way. It is such a gorgeous drive! For people like me, who are uneasy with heights, it can be a little unnerving, but as long as I didn't look down beside my side of the car, I did ok. We had hoped to stop at Logan Pass, but the parking lot was already filled up. With the eastern part of the park being closed, there is basically only one road that is available to view the park. SO, it is extremely difficult to find parking at the favorite places to stop, unless you get up really early! But we drove all the way to the end of the line and got a lot of gorgeous pictures along the way. Then we headed back down the mountains to our cabin in West Glacier, which is just outside the entrance to the park. We love our little cabin! They are only about a year old and have everything we need (including a laundromat, which we are taking advantage of this morning). 

Lake McDonald

Just a little waterfall coming down the mountain

Mist over Lake McDonald

Wild Goose Island on St. Mary Lake with Little Chief Peak in the background

Kathy C. sent me a text telling me that the Northern Lights might be visible from this area for a couple of nights, so Monday night, we went down to the Apgar Village amphitheater that overlooks the lake. We sat in the dark for a half hour or so staring north. We finally could make out a slight glowing above the mountain range. It would waver ever so slightly. Dennis could see a little bit of a greenish tinge, but it just looked white to me. We finally decided that was probably all we were going to see and turned in, since we had an early morning planned for the next day.

Hiking up the mountain

Sunrise

View on hike

We got up yesterday around 4:45, so we could make it to Logan Pass before the parking lot filled up. It was already about half full when we got there! The wind was fierce and it was in the mid 30's, so we bundled up and headed up the mountain, trying to make it to the Hidden Lake Overlook. It was a good boardwalk trail, but it was uphill all the way. I had to stop regularly to catch my breath. It is a beautiful hike! We had hoped to see some bighorn sheep on our hike, but we missed out. We met up with a couple on their way down the mountain who had seen 2 rams and a grizzly, though! (I'm not really wanting to see a grizzly while I'm on foot...only when I'm in my car!) We got to within about 1/4 mile of the overlook, when the path started getting too icy to proceed for me. We had already had to ease our way through several places where icy snow had covered the trail. But the higher we went, the worse it got. The last thing we needed was for me to fall and break something, so we reluctantly headed back down. Even though it was still very chilly, we were shedding our jackets! We had worked up quite a sweat! Going down was much easier on my lungs, but harder on my knees and Achilles' tendons. (I have had trouble walking down steps since my Achilles' tendon surgery a few years back.) I can't take regular steps going down...I have to always lead with my right leg. Well I tried going down one set of steps normally, and wrenched my knee. I had to spend the rest of the day resting it and taking ibuprofen. (It fells fine this morning, though.)  Since I couldn't get around well, we drove to PoleBridge, which is the northenmost place accessible this side of Canada. They are famous for their huckleberry bearclaws, so we had to try them out. They were pretty tasty! The drive was much different. The road ran alongside the river, with a lot of timber lining the way.

View from Camas Road

Last night we drove into Columbia Falls (which is about 15-20 miles from here) for supper. We were tired of our normal snacking, canned soup and fast food, so we found a good restaurant that served Asian fusion. They were just doing takeout, but they allowed you to use their tables...takeout containers and no service. Since no one else was in the restaurant, we decided to use that option! It was so good! Then we drove back, went to the "beach" to watch the sunset and then did a little shopping in the gift shop.

Sunset on Lake McDonald

This afternoon we plan to go on a hike through the Trail of the Cedars. It is an easy walk through the forest...no climbing involved! That leaves tomorrow for more explorations, then we'll pack up and head south Friday morning. This has been an unbelievable trip! Yellowstone provided some outstanding viewing of wildlife, as well as some beautiful vistas. Glacier has some of the most glorious sights I've ever seen! I am so very thankful that we've been able to experience both of these majestic parks!