Day 5: Glacier National Park
All the Right Moves for All the Wrong Reasons
The Many Glaciers, two lake boat trip |
Our "Cozy Cabin" in Coram, MT-- on the west side of Glacier National Park-- turned out to be two hours from the 9AM boat tour we booked that left from the east side of the park. Oops!
So we woke up at 5AM in the morning to drive the Going to the Sun Road through the park, and then the road to the Many Glaciers historic hotel from which the boat left.
Luckily, we had no trouble getting up that early as the "Cozy Cabin" we booked in Coram, MT is located right next to the railroad tracks, at an un-gated crossing. Thus we heard many a loud train whistle and felt many a long train shake the walls all night. So, with not much sleep we were up bright and early and ready to start "Going to the Sun" as the Sun went up.
Sun Coming Up on Going to the Sun Road |
Here's a video from driving the Going to the Sun Road.
This picture shows exactly how close to the edge we were:
On the Edge of the Going to the Sun Road |
And, this one what happens when a fearful driver takes to this windy road with almost no guard rails. Bob & M took the road like champs!
Scared Driver on Going to the Sun Road |
This road is the one to Many Glaciers-- our second trip through the park today. While the Going to the Sun Road was smooth as glass, this one was rutted and rough. But some nice views here too:
Lousy Road to Many Glaciers |
This is a picture of the historic Many Glaciers hotel-- which is really just an overpriced 1950s resort-- but it does have an outstanding location.
Many Glaciers Historic Hotel |
The main picture is of one of the two boats we rode today. You rode the first boat across one lake, then got out and walked over a hill to take the second boat across another lake. We then got out and took a hike to a third lake's edge.
Lake at Many Glaciers |
From this lake, you could really see one of the glaciers for which Glacier Park got its name.
Glacier at Glacier National Park |
The "hike" was more of a stroll on a very well cleared path. But we did take a side journey up a steep hill to see these waterfalls:
Waterfalls to Which We Hiked |
When we returned and began the drive home, traffic came to a halt for these big horn sheep. (The only animals we managed to see today.)
Big Horn Sheep Stop Traffic |
Rather than taking the Going to the Road to the Sun route back to the cabin, we decided to go around the park, as we figured that going to the sun in the mid-afternoon would be slow going indeed.
We arrived back at the cabin, grabbed a bite to eat, and then promptly took a nap-- which luckily gave us a couple hours sleep before a train whistle woke us.
I'm writing this after a home-cooked dinner, and a relaxing evening.
Tomorrow we do some more exploring around Glacier National Park, but plan to stay on the west side this time.
Until then....
--Lisa
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