Wandering Retirees

Glad to catch up a bit today. We set out with Judy this morning in her rental car. Nice to have a down day from riding – we’re at a bit over 7,800 miles so far. We entered Glacier through the West Glacier entrance and stopped at the Apgar Visitors Center to get some info and suggestions. (This always is a good idea. The rangers are knowledgeable and readily offer suggestions based on local conditions.) We settled on a hike up the Avalanche Trail, about 2.3 miles each way to see Avalanche Lake. The hike is a bit strenuous in parts, but is so worth it.

As we drove up the Going-To-The-Sun Road, we stopped on the shores of Lake MacDonald and looked across to the mountains of Howe Ridge to the west. Except for ripples made by skipping stones (that was me) the lake was a mirror, giving image/counter image of green forest and tall mountains still with snow up high. We probably got a pic or two.

Upon getting to the Avalanche Trailhead, we followed the Avalanche Creek which is swollen from remaining snowfall and recent rain. There is something soothing about watching and listening to a roaring stream pounding its way over a boulder filled course. Though the weather was ideal, it was a bit warm. The Creek offered some welcome cool. We saw several mule deer very close by the trail. They were quite tame, we think, allowing people to come very close while foraging. They are beautiful creatures, with a slightly shaggy coat and huge ears shaped like a mule’s. We did not run into any bears, we’re glad to say. We had a canister of bear spray just in case. Fortunately it will keep for another day.

The area was named by a Dr. Lyman Sherry who explored the much of the park in 1895. He heard and saw a number of avalanches and thought that a good name. There are a huge number of trees that have been knocked down all along the slopes of the valley, so the area seems aptly named. The Park Service does a nice job keeping the trail clear.

It took a while, but we finally made it to the lake. It’s a placid, clear lake with a greenish cast to the water. Maybe because of the glacial silt that washes down? No matter. Some sunken logs dotted the bottom, beautiful ducks swam and, I imagine, took their ease. But the wonder was to be had with the high waterfalls that cascade off the sheer faces of the surrounding mountains, especially Bearhat Mountain that towers more than 4,800 feet above the lake. The falls (we counted 4) feed the lake at its east end, which then drains to the west into Avalanche Creek. We truly enjoyed sitting at our ease, talking quietly, sharing snacks and taking in the beauty. Something about good company in beautiful surroundings.

The walk back was a lot less strenuous. Good thing because we were knackered. It was so worth the effort and made for a wonderful day. We stopped at a local grocery in Columbia Falls to buy provisions for the evening meal. Then back to the lovely resort where Judy graciously made arrangements for our stay. It feels good to get our boots off and let the toes breathe.

YESTERDAY: On the ride here we stopped for lunch in a little town in Idaho along US Rt. 2, called Bonners Ferry. The restaurant is called Chic-N-Chop and serves abundant good food for a reasonable price. In the lot outside, we met a quiet, good looking man named Ray who runs a diesel repair shop in town. He was curious about our trip which led to a nice conversation about traveling through his neck of the woods. He told about northern Idaho winters (20-30 below) and the fact he takes pleasure living in a small town in an area with not a lot of people. He struck us as a kind, decent, good man, the kind that makes a good neighbor. We met his little dog, Molly, whom he proudly claimed had defended his garden against wild critters looking for an easy meal. The three of us were glad for the conversation and wished each other well. There are a lot of good people all over this land.

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