Where are all the Glaciers?

One of my favorite things about this road trip has been seeing all of the incredible signs along the roads as we travel through the US. For example, today on our way to Glacier National Park we saw a sign that said "FANTASTIC! House of Mystery." Now I wasn't a business major, but I consider myself a fairly good salesman (selling all that wrapping paper, candles and preserved caramel popcorn for my elementary school fundraiser not to mention Abby using me as her sales weapon for girl scout cookies) but I wouldn't say that is a very enticing sign. None-the-less it gave Ryan and I a good laugh in the middle of Montana. Just outside of Glacier there was a giant ball and chain. I was tempted to go take a picture with it and then tease my newly married friend Doug that this is now symbolizing his life, but we decided to push on into the park :).

Entering Glacier looks very similar to the Grand Tetons until you are about 5 miles into the park on Going-to-the-Sun Road. After that your driving experience tends to change quite a bit, in addition to your chance of death. The road is directly on the side of the mountain and is even built into the mountain. There aren't tunnels however. Instead the mountain is bored out and your car is quite literally driving underneath the mountain. In the other lane, there isn't a shoulder for protection against driving mistakes, instead there is a 2 foot stone wall (in some places) that protects the car from falling off the side of the mountain. The views however are absolutely spectacular. On the drive you can see all of the beautiful mountains in addition to Jackson Glacier. Logan's Pass is the half-way point of the drive and during this 1/2 mile you can see long horned sheep, mountain goats and other wildlife cruising along the cliff edges.

Once through the park, Ryan and I tried to find a campsite to put up for the night but unfortunately all of the sites were full. We then went out of the park on the east side into the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. We stayed at the St. Mary's lodge where they have Teepee's for rent. As soon as I saw the teepee's Bill Geist's road trip across America came to mind. For those who aren't familiar with Mr. Geist, he is probably my favorite writer. He went on a road trip a few years back and documented the entire trip. He stayed at a hotel that was made entirely of cement teepees! Ryan and I both wanted to stay in a teepee but for over $200 is wasn't worth it nor were any available.

Early the next morning, we got our back country permit and headed towards Poia lake. The trail was covered in horse droppings making for a smelly and insect infested hike. We did get to see some great wildlife though. About 2 hours into the hike we came across a herd of elk. Some of the bucks were huge! They tend to graze in the wildflower fields at Glacier. Besides the landscape, the wildflowers were incredible. Acres and acres of flowers filled the mountain sides! Lake Poia was a small lake with freezing cold water. Ryan attempted to swim in it but couldn't get past his knees. We both went swimming the next day in Lake McDonald which is at a lower elevation with much warmer water (not warm...just warmer). Once out of the back country, Ryan and I set up camp one more time in Glacier, made a camp fire and grilled burgers. It was awesome to cook over an open fire versus my small propane burner. The next morning we woke up early and headed out for Mount Rainier!