Glacier National Park

I have had a love for Montana since I was a kid, as I am sure I have mentioned a few times before. I read a book that just captivated me with the descriptions of the mountains, the streams, snow filled winters and spring rainstorms. My imagination took off in what I could only picture as mountains of paradises. Some think of paradise as a beach with bountiful fruit trees in every yard and days filled with no worries and fishing for dinner, but for me, it’s the mountains with snowy peaks and spring fed streams with glacier lakes.

In my quest to one day experience Montana, I had always hoped to be able to see Glacier National Park. When we trekked through the state a couple years ago, we stayed too far south to make the drive through the park. This time, however, I had us staying in Great Falls with the hopes of making time, and we spent the day driving in and around Glacier. It did not disappoint. It was breathtaking, with mountains as far as you could see and glacier lakes for miles, with small waterfalls and creeks feeding into and out of the bodies of water. It was everything I had imagined and more.

Did you know that there are still 25 “active” glaciers in the park? That just fascinates me, and we are in the very narrow window of seeing the glacier after last winters snow pack melted off. Some of the glaciers are a result of the “Little Ice Age” that ended around 1850 and the are slowly moving down the mountain and receding, but it will likely be many years before they’re gone. Of course, I am no scientist, but I read signs, a magazine and bought a book while were were in the park. I know stuff. Ha!

If you ever find yourself in the area, I highly recommend you make the time. Truthfully, now is the best time to go because, although it was busy, it was not during their busiest months which are, of course, July and August. Also, the colors are changing and the temps were comfortably cool.

We are talking about planning a trip back, but will start looking for hotels now so that we can stay in or near the park and spend several days there, going on hikes and maybe fishing, and seeing more of it, off the road.