More Pictures.....

Having tea at the Prince of Wales - Sunday, Aug. 28.  Everything was great.  

After tea, I took a boat ride on Waterton Lake and met a sweet couple from Colorado.  The weather was great for the boat ride.  Normally, the lake is very windy.  However, that night the winds kicked in and literally howled around the hotel.  The next morning, I went outside to see the sunrise and could barely walk the wind was so strong. 

The sunrise was very pretty over the mountains.

Pictures

 This is Lake McDonald - the largest lake in Glacier N.P.   One of my first stops along the Going to the Sun Road.  The name of the road fits....

St. Mary's Lake was my favorite.  The water is an incredible shade of blue and it has wonderful little islands.

 This tiny little island is the most famous in St. Mary's Lake called Wild Goose Island. 

This shot was taken along the road to Many Glacier - another section of the park on the western side.  It was on the way to my hotel - The Many Glacier.  This hotel is another built by the railroad for tourists. 

The Many Glacier Hotel

The sunrise at Many Glacier over the lake was magic!  The mountains changed from blue to rosy pink to golden.  Mt. Grinnell is to the right and is a famous peak with a glacier named for it.

The beautiful Prince of Wales Hotel (another built by the railroad) in Waterton, Alberta.  This is where I had tea.

  

Back To Civilization!

I am back to civilization tonight from the back country!  But what country it is!  I've driven on some of the most beautiful stretches of roadway imaginable.  Today, I was dodging Rocky Mountain Sheep.  I am now in the pretty little town of Banff, Alberta.  It reminds me of Gatlinburg, lined with shops and people.   For the previous two nights, I was in the country of the railroad barons who opened up this country to tourists.  The hotels they built are much the same today.

My hotel here in Banff is perched on the side of a mountain and my window faces a giant gray peak. The weather has been awesome (even a little too hot for me!), but that may change tomorrow.   We are supposed to have some rain. 

I have met some interesting people and I have been blessed with safe travels so far.  I had no way to communicate while deep in the mountains, so I have a lot of catching up to do.  But, I've been driving most all day, and I'm very tired.  I am having a wonderful time.  More tomorrow.... 

My lovely room at Glacier Guides Lodge

Lake McDonald - largest lake in Glacier N.P.

Beautiful sky!

Made It!!

I have arrived!  Flights were perfect and had the row all to myself on both flights - not too many people going to Montana.  My hotel room is great and everyone has been very helpful.  Weather is gorgeous.  I'm heading into the park while daylight permits. 

Glacier or Bust!!

I got excited when I saw that I have "followers" now on this blog!  I'm so glad that you will be going along with me on my Rocky Mountain Adventure!  I admit I am having major butterflies (and seriously questioning my sanity) since this is my first big trip on my own.  But I think Russell will be watching over me - I'll be traveling the week of what would have been our 30th anniversary.  I've been planning and researching this trip for years and I do feel as prepared as I can be.

Here is the brief itinerary:
8/26:  Arrive in Kalispell, MT / Overnight near Glacier N.P.
8/27:  Travel through Glacier N. P. on the "Going to the Sun Road" / Overnight in Park
8/28:  Travel to Waterton National Park, Waterton, Alberta (Canada!!) / Overnight here
8/29:  Travel to Banff, AB / Overnight here
8/30:  Banff / Overnight again
8/31:  Travel Icefields Parkway (Yes, that's what it is called!) to Jasper, AB / Overnight here
9/1:    Jasper National Park, AB / Overnight again
9/2:    Travel to Lake Louise, AB (Looking forward to seeing this beautiful lake) / Overnight here
9/3:    Head toward Calgary / Overnight in Canmore, AB
9/4:    Fly home from Calgary and back to reality.....

All prayers for traveling mercies are appreciated, and please throw in a few for NO close encounters of the grizzly kind (although I hope to see one from a safe distance)!

Planning my adventure....

I've just about got everything ready for my Rocky Mountain adventure.  I will leave in 18 days.