Montana

As much as I love Wyoming and Jackson Hole, this part of our trip is probably my favorite. I’m sure I’ve been to Montana before but never to explore. And whoa, guys. What a totally amazing place. Glacier is, hands down, definitely my favorite national park. I’m already planning when to go back and since we didn’t really go on any hikes – because #PrincessElla – there is so much more to explore.

Montana is bear country. Big time. I was actually quite terrified/excited that a bear would wander onto our campsite and Ella would bark and then we would be eaten. But if you have to get mauled to death, it might as well be by an All-American Grizzly Bear. Well, we did not get mauled by a bear, in fact we didn’t even see one. Which is probably a good thing because Ella definitely would have chased it and then we definitely would have been bear snacks. Another thing Montana has going for it is huckleberries. Which we definitely experienced. From huckleberry flapjacks, huckleberry fudge, and ice cream, I think I had my fair share of hucks. And I’m a fan.

So about this national park. Seriously guys, incredible. We made a point to get up early and drive through the park, in the hopes of seeing some animals. That didn’t happen, but we did see some amazing nature. And lots of mist in the forest. I can’t even describe the beauty that is Glacier National Park, because it is so surreal. The water is turquoise, the mountains are massive and gorgeous, not to mention that Glacier has pretty much every animal you would want to see when exploring national parks. Of course we saw none, but still. I’m sure I will some day. I’m still amazed at this park, and once again, the nature that makes up this country.

Glacier is actually set up very well to just drive through the park. On-To-The-Sun Road is a 10-mile drive that winds through the creeks and floor of the park to the mountains and glaciers. If you only have one day (or a dog in the car), do this drive. Actually, just do it anyway. It is incredible. I’m pretty sure a mountain goat was trying to kill us as some rocks fell from a cliff above, but I’m alive and our car is fine, so jokes on him.

 

After we had driven through the park it was around 11am and were about to head back when we decided to take a detour to find food in order to prevent Sarah from becoming hangry, because that is a real thing and it is not pretty. We came upon Many Glacier where the water is even more blue and the mountains are actual glaciers. It’s a part of the park where you feel like you are not in the park but have actually been magically transported to the Swiss Alps. Except you are still in Montana. We have already decided we are going back and are definitely staying in the Swiss Lodge because why not? The lake is gorgeous and there are many incredible hikes, which I’m already planning on doing. I’d like to go back now.

Driving out of Montana and into Idaho was very humbling. Sometimes I feel like I’ve seen so much of the country and then I’m introduced to places like Glacier and my pride is smacked right back down and I’m just in awe of the beauty and incredible places that exist in this country. As we prepare for the home stretch it’s hard to fathom that we have travelled across the entire country. And it is very large. And amazing.