Glacier National Park

This was THE trip of the year for our family.  Glacier National Park was INCREDIBLE!  Despite the windy and rainy weather at the park itself, we enjoyed our trip so much!  Becky's friend, Christine joined us and fit in as one of the girls!  We took a couple days to get there, stopping in Spokane and then in Polson, MT on Flathead lake.  We stopped here two times, on the way to Glacier and on the way back.  While at the Park we camped in the small town of St. Mary and enjoyed the 4th of July Fireworks from our camper.  It was clear, but COLD!  Temperatures are definitely quite a bit colder on at the park.  A little pit stop on our trip through the park, making our way to the Going to the Sun Road (the main drive through the park).

Did I say the temps were a little colder?  Quick, climb out of the car for a picture with a Glacier!

Retreat of Glaciers in Glacier National Park (here is a little info. on the melting Glaciers in the park.  We are so glad we were able to visit to see these beatiful Glaciers before they dissapear!)

"In Glacier National Park (GNP), MT some effects of global climate change are strikingly clear. Glacier recession is underway, and many glaciers have already disappeared. The retreat of these small alpine glaciers reflects changes in recent climate as glaciers respond to altered temperature and precipitation. It has been estimated that there were approximately 150 glaciers present in 1850, and most glaciers were still present in 1910 when the park was established. In 2010, we consider there to be only 25 glaciers larger than 25 acres remaining in GNP. A computer-based climate model predicts that some of the park’s largest glaciers will vanish by 2030 (Hall and Fagre, 2003). This is only one model prediction but, if true, then the park’s glaciers could disappear in the next several decades. However, glacier disappearance may occur even earlier, as many of the glaciers are retreating faster than their predicted rates."

Becky and Christine posing with a Red Bus Jammer which takes tourists all around the park. 

We saw a couple of the huge lodges around the park, built in the early 1920's and kept renovated with the orginal feel.

Relaxing Sunday in the Lodge after church.We drove A LOT, but everywhere we went it was worth it!  What a beautiful rainbow!  On our drives we would look for animals...and this is what we saw!

Baby Grizzley just out in plain site.We also saw Praire Dogs.  In fact here is Christine on a hunt to catch one...but they were just too quick for her!  Our animal count included mountain goats, bear, prarie dog, dog wandering on the side of the road - some of us were convinced he was a wild dog following the scent of a nearby McDonald's bag), lots of squirrel, and deer.

While we stopped for Christine to go Prarie Dog hunting, we saw this sign and learned we were at the Farthest point West that the Lewis and Clark expedition traveled.

The water in this lake, really was this green. It has a special color due to the mineral particles coming from the friction of the glacier against the rocky bed.

Here is Natty's favorite place to be, in the camper with Daddy.  Despite the cold temps at the park, we found summer in Polson, MT.  Both times we camped here, first priorty was getting to the pool.  While in Polson, Becky and Christine had fun getting lost on Flathead lake with their deflating boats.  But, Dad came to the rescue after the rest of us took a side trip to the Kerr Dam. 

Go Glacier!