Vacation in Glacier National Park - St. Mary

So we got up early Wednesday morning and started on our drive to St. Mary's Campground. It was a short drive and what beautiful scenes! Words escape me of how to describe such a beautiful area.

We parked our camping trailer and then we were on our way toward Logan's Pass Visitor's Center, we drove right by St. Mary's Lake. We had to stop and just marvel at how clear the water was.

Once we got to the visitor's center, we took another mile and a half (3 miles round trip)hike toward Hidden Lake. They had built a "Board Walk" for all of the visitors to walk on in order to preserve the rest of the area. We climbed so many stairs on the "Board Walk" till we got to Hidden Lake Overlook. This hike is well known for seeing mountain goats and big horned sheep. We saw both, but was only able to photograph the mountain goats. In fact, the mountain goats were right on the path we were. There was even a momma and her baby. She finally moved just enough for me to snap a picture.

This guy was just chillin under a pine tree.

Here it is, we finally made it to the overlook of Hidden Lake. What a gorgeous site. We stopped for some snacks and drinks. I think the kids had more fun with feeding the little chipmunks than taking in the scenery.

This is the peak of one of the mountains overlooking Hidden Lake.

As we make our way back, one more snap of the scenery.

As we were making our drive back to our campsite. We made several stops; here is one of the 26 remaining glaciers that still exist today called Jackson Glacier.

Then we made another stop for quick hike to St. Mary's Falls. Only 1.6 miles round trip. This one did not seem nearly as long, even Chase wanted to walk a little. We arrived only to see a few young people jumping in the water off of the bridge over the falls. The water was really cold I do not see how they did it. However, the water was so blue.

After that we drove just a little down the road to see Sunrift Gorge. It was so cool to see.

We were just taking in the scenery and the beautiful water.

Here is Tana playing in the water

The water from the Sunrift Gorge follows all the way down to this which is part of the Baring Falls.

After all that, we were all bushed and made our way back to our camping trailer for dinner, then bedtime.

Vacation in Glacier National Park - Many Glacier

It has been a very long time since we took a family vacation and so we decided (a very last minute decision) to go to Glacier National Park.

After a friend's suggestion (Thanks Danette), the first day we decided to camp at Many Glacier. We arrived there on a very late Monday night.

Then Tuesday morning we got up and started out on a one and a half mile hike to Red Rock Falls. It was beautiful weather, not to hot and not to cold.

Taking in the view of the lake that Red Rock Falls travels into.

Shortly on our hike back to our campsite, there were a few gentleman with spotting scopes set up and they were looking across the valley at the other mountain. So we stopped and discovered they were watching a hand full of grizzly bears (in different areas). They were kind enough to let us look through their scopes. Unfortunately we were unable to take any pictures cause of the distance. However, I would rather see a grizzly from that distance! LOL! It looked like there was a momma and her two cubs, but the cubs weren't little anymore. Then we saw a few more scattered in different places.

Further on our journey back from Red Rock Falls, other on-coming hikers were telling us that there was a family of moose down at the Fishtail Lake. Just a little walk off of the trail from Red Rock Falls, not far from our campsite. It was really cool to see all of them. It seemed like he was showing off for all of the visitors.

This picture isn't the best, but there is a elk right in the middle. We thought it might be a bear, but after looking closer at the picture closer on the computer, we discovered that it was an elk.

So after lunch and just some down time we went to explore the Many Glacier Lodging. There is a lake for all to view from the lodge. It was very interesting to walk around and see the many pictures of the history in just this area.

Chase sitting down and puckering up his lips for a kiss. How big he looks in this chair.

As you drive up to the Many Glacier Lodge you cross a bridge and this is the view as you cross, on one side.

And this is the falls from the picture above. I love seeing God creation.

Right after taking the picture above we drove just a few seconds down the street and spotted a black bear. I tried zooming in as much as I could and this is the best that I could do.

What a beautiful camping area and definitely going to be a family favorite for a long while.

Summer Gymnastics

This summer the girls enjoyed one day a week in gymnastics. Kailey was enrolled in Level 1 and did very well. She is still working on some skills to be able to move up to Level 2.

Tana loved her gymnastics. She showed her instructor many of her strengths! They both are very sad that gymnastics are over for the summer, maybe next summer.

Camping in West Rosebud

We went on another camping trip with the Fulton Family. This time we went to West Rosebud in Custer National Park. We had a great time!

While we were there we enjoyed some campfires and went on a six mile hike to Mystic Lake! Way to go kids for doing such a great job on such a long hike!! And to Paul who was the tail of the line who carried Chase the entire hike UP! However, it was a well worth hike to such a beautiful site of Mystic Lake.

While there, we skipped rocks, ate lunch, but mostly rested for the long hike back! LOL!

Here is a picture of where we are hiking to.

Whew!! We finally made and what a beautiful site to see.

Here is Paul and Chase enjoying time together just throwing rocks together.

Tana is trying to find the perfect rock to throw.

"Yes, I found it!"

Jimmy and his son, Braxton (with is Rambo outfit) taking in the view and resting.

Brookelyn having fun!

So Paul was intrigued by what was on the smaller mountain . . .

and here it is closer . . .

alright, who put that rock there?! LOL!

Family picture before we hike back.

Whew! We made it all back and look we are still smiling!