Blogs from Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park, Montana, United States, North America

Last day! Had to get one more "leg day" in. Hiked up to the Apgar Lookout. About 3.5 miles up, elevation gain 1948ft. Steady uphill climb. Great views of mountians in the distance and of Lake McDonald. We have had a great time here. Weather has been perfect (38 this morning but hitting about 67 this afternoon). Not looking forward to the 90s back in Hot-lanta, but ready to be home. Oh yeah, bear spray, not used, $50. (more than about two good bottles of wine) and we gave it away to someone other hikers - our good deed for the week!... read more

This was our final day at Glacier, so we had to make it count, even though the weather was not taking our last day into consideration. At breakfast we enjoyed conversation with other guests at the Bed and Breakfast and upon their recommendation we decided to go hike the Avalanche Lake Trail. Though we had rather go hike one on the east side of the park, the amount of travel swayed us from that trek. Donald had briefly considered driving to the Yaak Valley area of Montana in search of Tom from the show Mountain Men. He would have loved to have purchased an animal fur that Tom himself had trapped and skinned. But that would have been a 3 hour drive there and a 3 hour drive back, so we stuck with the decision to ... read more

Today we slept in a bit and got on the road by 9. But not before we were informed that high up on the mountain across the road there was a 90 foot statute of the Blessed Virgin Mary! It's named Our Lady of the Rockies and sits on the Continental Divide. tried to get a good photo but it was kind of overcast, but pretty cool none the less. Next we found the Big Sky Brewery in Missoula and stopped in to see what as going on, etc. Left with a case of Moose Drool and a four pack of a stout, and some swag for Janet. back on the road and headed to Glacier National Park and arrived at the Lake McDonald Lodge around 4. Shortly after we headed to the lake to look ... read more

We were sad to leave Libby but we needed to press on as there is still so much we want to see; next stop Glacier National Park. The drive through Montana (I had been particularly excited about this state) was really nice and we were looking forward to seeing the national park. We arrived late afternoon; it was quite chilly; so we stopped for a short walk at Sprague Creek to get our blood flowing. The walk meandered through woods and then out to a river with some waterfalls; the river was really full as the snow was still melting. We were in bear country still and Dim was making lots of noises (as you’re advised to do) as we walked and scaring me half to death each time he did! We passed one woman who ... read more

Entry 19: Glacier National Park Day Three Thursday, August 5, 2010 Get Out and Boat I woke around 9 a.m. on my final Glacier National Park morning. The sun was back and bright, and there were slightly fewer folks in the Apgar Campground. I worked on the blog and decamped. It was quite a pleasure to have stayed in the same spot for 2 consecutive nights, and I slogged through the 2-hour packing up time. Reorganizing the truck, Sophie the dog and I first drove over to Lake McDonald, as the slight wind today would offer a boat/canoe ride onto Lake McDonald (it was too windy yesterday). Canoes are $18 an hour, but they also offered something new for me—a 7 person outdoor-motored boat, at $25 an hour. Having never captained my own boat, I chose ... read more