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!

Momma and Baby Welcome

Finally, we reach the gates of Yellowstone. Immediately, the weather clears and all that we have heard about this amazing place becomes instantly apparent. It is stunning!










The valley leads us into the upper section of the canyon where we find our first waterfall and a deer along the path. The perfect welcome!

















From the canyon we find ourselves climbing once more into the mountains and once again the snow begins. We are getting used to the weather fluctuations by now and just laugh. At a pass, we are welcomed further to this magnificent place by a momma grizzly and her two cubs. They are at a safe distance below our vista, so the sight is exhilarating as opposed to frightening. It's the way we want to encounter these amazing animals not on a hiking path alone! We now truly know we're in Yellowstone!




















As we make our way through the park to our destination tonight at the south side in Grant Village, we encounter several more sunny and clear drives interspersed with snow. It's unbelievable. But, completely worthy of the diverse scenery we encounter along the way. Every turn presents another wow!













Our Vue is ready for quite an adventure here!!!

Let it Snow!

Our morning journey from Billings to Yellowstone begins with beautiful clearing weather. The route presents stunning vistas as we leave Montana and head into the Beartooth Mountain range toward the northeast entrance to the park. As we enter the higher elevations, the temperatures drop rapidly and the snow capped mountains we have viewed from a distance all morning find ourselves suddenly in.























70 degree temps plummet to 23 in a 30 minute time span and our beginning flurries become nearly blinding as we reach the 11,000+ summit. Exciting, yes. Intimidating, definitely. These Florida girls are amazed at what we find!



As our descent from the completely snow covered tops brings us to more solid ground, we pause for the obligatory pic, along with a few other travelers. Exchange of cameras present perfect photo ops and the fear quickly turns to glee as we visit this frozen lake and gape in awe at the white everywhere. It's June! But, it's Wyoming and not so rare apparently.


A bit further on our adventurous path today we encounter several closed roads indicative of the inclement weather conditions and a reminder sign of the territory we are gaining access - this is bear country! We are immediately put on alert for the caution necessary here in the wild - the excitement and fear just continues today.....