Farewell Montana

Our time in Montana has been quite rich. Glacier National Park is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The Great Bear Inn one of the most inviting. We bid farewell to new friends we've met - Lori and David from Chicago are headed to a "Ritz-like camping experience" near Missoula (we can't wait to hear about this!). Benita and Gary from Houston are moving on to Big Sky for a month.

Susan and Ryan will continue to welcome lucky guests exploring this area to their beautiful home.

The sunflower seed planting this morning is even more special as we feel lucky to be part of such a wonderful group these past few days. Surely, quite a sprout will happen here.




We hit the road relatively early today as we plan to make it to Seattle by early evening. A lunch stop in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho is a good midway point and this bustling college town is a perfect stretch. Finding a great people watching spot to enjoy sandwiches is a breeze and a quick walk through the downtown area is fun. A beautiful marina is also nearby. It is the quintessential college town enhanced by a beautiful lake and mountains as a backdrop in every direction. Really pretty!









The long drive today finds one more interesting overlook at the Columbia River. Breathtaking. Rattlesnake Warning Signs! We still meander along a path for several moments soaking up the beauty - it's everywhere! Washington State holds it's own with Montana without a doubt.









Seattle beckons at the end of our drive and the Space Needle tells us we've made it to our destination. A long day but we're safely here and have several days ahead to see family and ready for our Alaskan journey - hard to believe that's next!! Can Alaska top what we've just experienced. We'll see.....

More Glacier Feasts

After yet another evening of incredible food, good wine, and enjoying the company of some new friends, we again rest quite well. This is the only way to see Glacier, we believe!





We head back to the beautiful park for more nourishment this morning. Today's agenda includes a a 4-mile hike to Avalanche Lake and is one of those beautiful treks that provides endless scenery while journeying to the destination. In other words, the perfect hike!



We, alas, tarry a bit too long at the lake and a forming storm hits just about 1/2 mile shy of our exit. Of course, as good hikers, we are prepared with the necessary gear and, as has happened on several previous occasions, actually enjoy the gifts that come with a good rain storm. The personality of a forest so completely changes when one rolls in and it's nice to be a guest from time to time.











As the storm passes and the weather clears, we make camp at a beautiful area, enjoying the gorgeous and amazingly secluded scenery with our books. Ahh, life is really good!

Glacier

After an evening of incredible fun, food, wine, and laughter, we rest hard as we'd had a full transition day. Today is reserved for Glacier National Park and we are eager to explore this place that promises such grandeur. We are definitely not disappointed.











The vistas here are stupendous, it is as if we've stepped into a movie. We, honestly, can't believe at times what we're experiencing.









Snow capped mountains, waterfalls, gorges, and a road, the Going to the Sun Highway, which provides an amazing drive to visit all that is available.







We begin today's journey with a beautiful little hike on the Trail of the Cedars, an easy nature trail packing a full punch of scenery. This morning is Celeste's moment. We take plenty of time here savoring every morsel.












Our incredible drive takes us up into these same snow capped mountains, waterfalls weeping virtually on top of us. Logan's Pass is at the summit and has been closed for the summer, but, of course, has opened just about an hour before we reach this mark. It allows us entrance into a vast winter wonderland where we admittedly aren't suited quite for hiking a trail we've eyed, but playing in the snow seems a fair trade off. It's June and we're throwing snowballs.




It can't get much better, we think!

The Great Bear Inn

As we make our way closer to our destination home for the next few days, we continue to marvel at what surrounds. All we have ever heard of the beauty of Montana is evident. And, as populated as Yellowstone was, Montana is not.








We have reserved several days at a little inn we discovered in our search for the perfect getaway while visiting Glacier National Park. The Great Bear Inn is a challenge to find but as we round the corner of the long drive we immediately know we've made the right decision. The owner, Susan, welcomes us as if we're long lost friends, showing us around her beautiful home and making it clear we are to settle in as if it's our home, as well.


Hummingbirds zoom toward the many feeders dangling from the back porch, large open areas invite outside. Every corner is decorated lovingly and perfectly, we are definitely home in no time.


Part of the package here is a gourmet dinner served each evening by Susan's chef son, Ryan, and his kitchen mate, Jake. They welcome us into their kitchen, showing off tonight's delicacies, our mouths watering in response. This is going to be lots of fun!



We leisurely unpack and settle into our amazing accommodations waiting for our fellow housemates to return from their daytime adventures. Happy Hour we're told begins sharply at 7!

Montana Bound

Celeste plants one of our sunflower seeds along this beautiful basin area as we bid our final farewell. We can't imagine a more perfect finish.







Yet, as we head out the west entrance of this grand park toward Montana, one more magic moment is bestowed. A bald eagle sitting on her nest bids us well as we literally are just a few miles from the exit. We are no longer surprised at the gifts we're receiving, just incredibly grateful.




















Signs welcoming us to Montana blaze and the beauty that is looming amazing. How can it keep getting just so much more beautiful?!










We find what we consider to be the perfect lunch spot at Bear Claws Bar and Grill, a random sighting and it delivers just as we imagine it should. The lone server is adorable and efficiently runs her busy dining area with a constant smile, presenting huge portions of delicious fare.





Our long drive today is being rewarded with vistas around every curve such that we can't even miss magnificent Yellowstone.






We are indeed really liking Montana!