Wandering Retirees

Connie, Judy and I made our triumphal return to Glacier today. The crowds were underwhelmed but our spirits were high. We set off down the John’s Lake trail at the north end of Lake McDonald, just off the Going-to-the-Sun Road. It’s an easy hike (they claim) of about 3 miles up the hill to, yes, John’s Lake. On the way, we met a couple of frantic parents looking for their kids who thought they had encountered a bear and ran off to get away. Turns out there was no bear in the area. We split up along separate trails and called their names, hoping to encourage them to come out. Before too long, their dad found them along the road where they presumably felt that help was available. Relieved parents did as most do when scared for their kids. There were hugs and tears and some scolding. The oldest, a daughter of 15 was embarrassed and probably wanted to crawl into the nearest black hole. Despite the absence of a real threat, she reacted in the best way she knew how to protect her two small siblings. We are impressed. After the adrenaline wore off her parents, we hope they will be, too.

We were overtaken on the trail by a group of horseback riders taking the fun and much less strenuous route through the woods. Beautiful animals, but their passing makes footing a little hazardous for earthbound folks. The trail wound through such lush growth. The moisture level is quite high, so mosses, lichens, ferns and pretty wildflowers grow in abundance in dappled sunlight. The air is so fresh and clean. There were moments we felt like we were walking through a fabled Tolkien forest where dryads or wood nymphs might dance in pleasure. The trail did lead us to John’s Lake, a small calm pond a couple of acres big. The ground was so wet still that we couldn’t really get close, but worth the walk.

We continued along the loop trail back to the road where the swollen McDonald Creek came to a fall that thundered beautifully, plume of mist thrown into the air. There’s a bridge that spans the falls and it’s so energizing to have so much water roaring underneath. The trail took us downstream by several rapids and falls on the creek’s way to Lake McDonald. Unlike the riders and youngsters hurrying along because they can, we made our way easily and with dignity just enjoying the pleasure of good company and the beauty all around us. We met a buck close to the trail who was sporting a new 8-point rack. His horns were covered in velvet and which will likely rub off by summer’s end to reveal new larger, hard antlers. Like the does we have seen, he was looking for something tasty, and utterly unconcerned about human proximity. We got a pic. If we were in a hurry, we might have missed him. Dignity has its rewards. (Ben, Dave and Tim: Hush. It’s our story so mute the Flintstones theme.) 😀 

We returned to our car which was parked close to the inlet of Lake McDonald, had some lunch and headed back to the resort for some time in the hot tub and rest before supper. Tomorrow, Connie and Judy are taking a Ranger led walk through an area filled with wild flowers. I’m planning to hop on the bike and tool around the area.  And then we plan to meet for lunch at the Lake McDonald Lodge, an historic building styled after Swiss hunting lodges.

Looking forward to it.

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