July 4th at Glacier NP

It's a beautiful, sunny morning here in Kalispell...on the day we must leave! We have had rainy days with bookends of sun. Yesterday, we finally took the "Road to the Sun," the windy, narrow 28 mile road with "dead drop offs" as the boys called them. We got up very early and drove halfway up the mountain, left the truck, and took the park shuttle the rest of the way. The temperature dropped from 52 to 28 degrees at the top. It just snowed three feet up there on June 17th! I closed my eyes and prayed for part of the ride up. Ten foot snow drifts greeted us there, fog drifted around and obscured the views of the peaks. People were cross-country skiing.

The mountains are stunning and so steep! Water is running everywhere from the melting snow and ongoing rain. Glacier NP is a bit like the Smoky Mountains, a large land area bisected by only one road that gets REALLY crowded! It's a place for hiking, not driving. We were thankful to leave the park as the crowds loomed at the entrance.

The other incredible feature of this area is Flathead Lake, the largest natural lake in the west, according to the local literature. Glacier gets all the attention, but this lake is gorgeous, with islands and fishing galore. We didn't fish, however, because a boat is required and we didn't plan that far ahead. However, it's been a relaxed visit here, and we got quite a bit of "housekeeping" done during the rain. Sadly, cleaning and shopping must occur on vacation, too.

When we returned yesterday, there was a note on the door, instructing us to visit the campground office. Since we left Scout in the camper for the day, we assumed that he was barking, creating a disturbance. I walked up there, grumbling to myself that I was going to have to listen to the office matron chew me out for leaving the dog. Imagine my surprise when she beamed as I gave her my name and turned around to hand me a platter of pastries! My sister, Gail, had them delivered for my birthday breakfast! Thanks, Gail!!! We are enjoying them this morning.

Photos will be forthcoming. Off to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, today, and then to the Seattle area for eight days. We are looking forward to seeing Tommy H., Mark's friend from Alaska, who will fly down to visit us. Best wishes to all of you on our country's birthday...God bless America!