Saturday, July 31, 2010

Glacier, 2010...4 Lasting Memories


Jeff and I have always loved Glacier National Park--since we were newly married, we've tried to visit each year, finding different hikes to take and sights to see... The last visit didn't last as long as planned with Grace as a two-month-old...see July of 2008 for further details...so we were thrilled when our friend Julie said she would LOVE to go Glacier with us! She made this trip possible and memorable by providing her family's camp trailer and all of her help with the kids! We loved getting this undivided time with her!

#1--The Avalanche Boardwalk Trail
We camped at Avalanche Campground, right next to this 1-mile boardwalk trail that circled through a cedar forest. The trail went right behind our campsite and crossed a bridge at the base of a deep, narrow gorge that Avalanche Creek continues to form. Jeff and I had never taken this trail together in the past, instead trying out the more technical hikes. But this year it was a perfect fit for our small-legged entourage!

Jeff was the camera man on this trip--always asking Julz, the photographer, "What setting would you have for this shot?"

Our hiking setup--when we were FINALLY ready to start out.

We took a different pace, camping with a toddler and an infant...instead of the normal hiking Clif bars and Gatorade we sported diet Pepsi and Chex mix. No sweat was broken, except of course BACK SWEAT from carrying a babe in the Bjorn.

Hollowed out tree...Jeff didn't stay in long enough for me to take a focused picture. He said it was slightly eerie in there. I couldn't blame him--I was quick in volunteering to take HIS picture.

We love that Julz is always thinking about using her photographing skills to capture family pictures for us. They are few and far between! (this is one out of 20 shots--ha!)

Grace loved this boardwalk path through the cedar forest. She doesn't hike in one direction...she's back and forth, in front and behind, sitting, standing, and running...sometimes walking. Here she's running to daddy...

...who tosses her in the air! Jeff loves that his kids love the outdoors. As do I..

Sweet little benches for adults waiting for two-year olds...

Joshy finally had it. All hiked out.

#2--Rock Throwing at McDonald Creek
After our boardwalk, we headed down to where Avalanche Creek joined McDonald Creek and spent time "just hangin' out" as Grace would say.

These rocky deltas provided Grace with MILLIONS of rocks to throw. This is one of her highlights that she tells people about camping.

Rock #328 thrown into the creek...or was it #329?

...and of course anything Auntie Julie does has to be done by Grace, too. See which two have their shoes off?

This is perhaps the bravest picture of the bunch. That water is glacial-cold!

He wakes!
All weekend long Julie would say, "Guess what. I love you!" Gracie got to where she finished the phrase whenever Julie asked her to guess. Lucky, loved girl.

#3--Campsite Shenanigans
We had to camp outside of Glacier the first night because the campgrounds filled up by 2 pm. The next two nights, however, we camped at Avalanche campground. Deer came through our campground on two different occasions.


Grace was a big help in making the fire.


Gracie loved the camper--in and out, in and out...

Her first s'mores--she seemed to like the process of making them more than eating them. :)

#4--Logan Pass
Going-To-The-Sun Road proved to be gorgeous as usual. Our Mountain Goat friends greeted us at the top. Once at Logan Pass, we walked the Hidden Lakes Trail...not getting too far, but seeing some breathtaking sites.









1 comment:

Keith and Meghan said...

we love glacier too! i love that you guys have this family tradition...looks like a very fun trip :)