Village Inn At Apgar West Glacier

... found the whole herd. By the time we got out to the road, the goat herd was there as well. After photographing the goats, we walked toward the trail across the street to almost be run over by a herd of big horn sheep. They were so close my camera lens was too big to get the entire sheep. As we drove along we passed waterfalls and the weeping wall. The only down side to the drive was the construction that is ...

... crossing went smoothly and quickly. As we entered Montana, the Indian sculpture on the roadside marked the beginning of the Blackfeet Reservation. The area outside of Glacier National Park, at least to the east, is Indian Territory. We stayed at a campground perched high on the bluff overlooking the town of St. Mary's. Tomorrow we will travel the "Going to the Sun Highway" across Glacier National Park.

... the edge sometimes protected by guardrails and stones, sometimes not. Little protection from the sheer drop, thousands of feet to the river that cuts the valley below. The temperature changes as you climb. The view is breathtaking, but keep your eyes on the road! On the way up, you get a bird's eye view of the valley and the river, huge waterfalls in the distance shimmer down the gulch green ...

... bear scat at a junction in the trail. We looked at each other and both said-"gee that looks pretty fresh!" We looked up the trail to the right and too the left and didn't see anything. Bob started on the trail to the right, while I stopped to take some pictures. As I started up behind him, all I heard was Bob calling out to me-"Hurry up!" Well, apparently the bear was up there! Bob had been walking along and looking ahead, when he came face-to ...

... park to the east side of the park, across the Continental Divide. We saw glaciers, waterfalls, and lots of snow. I didn't see a bear, but I saw a baby mountain goat with its family. I saw historic lodges at Lake McDonald and Many Glacier. We went to Hungry Horse Dam. There are people from every state here.

... i was also getting annoyed with the road coming out of west glacier because there was almost no shoulder and it was quite busy. we were continuously getting buzzed by trucks and motor homes going by at 65 mph. well, with about 25 miles to go, i heard a loud bang and felt all the air go out of my rear tire. no big deal, i thought...i have the right tubes and i'm getting good at changing them, so i'll be up and running again soon. when i looked at my tire ...

Slept in till eight or so, finished off the dinner leftovers for breakfast, packed up, and began the 10-mile day by moving westward towards Redgap Pass. No monologues this time, just keeping an eye and an ear and enjoying the silence. And breaking the rules. Eh. Stopping for a snack break mid-morning yields a German couple (Henning and Isabel) headed the same way, though they started at the same trailhead early this morning. Whoa ...

... outdoor planter. Whitefish did have a trendy down town and a wonderful old Tudor style train station from the Great Northern era. The Station is still in use for Amtrack and also houses a neat little local history museum. We arrived in West Glacier in good time about 3:00 PM but Chere began to get a migraine. Rapid administration of pharmaceuticals, a shower and a nap and she ...

... by the day users and the lake full of jet skis, had us quickly developing "Plan B". Plan B was to head to Glacier National Park up the road. And we're glad we did. Just one campground in Glacier was still open, but it was near Lake MacDonald, with a spectacular view of some of the high glaciated peaks in the park, and close enough to the lake for an easy kayak launch. We had cocktails and played cribbage on the beach, and got a good night's sleep.

... the hope of no rain. The ranger at the visitor's center was telling us what to do if we encounter a bear. Basically, we have no chance in hell since we can't run away or fight back a 400 lb grizzly. He suggested curling up in a fetal position and just lay there while the bear roughs you up. Ok, I guess I would do that. I think I will take my chance running. Just saw lightening. Not good. 8:30 - Started eating ...