This trip has been a long time coming. When I found out we were moving to Montana I was determined to make the trip at some point. In talking about it Paul's parents the expressed interest too so we planned a trip. I feel like I've seen a lot of beautiful things in my life, but nothing like I did here. The pictures don't even do it justice. Each hike was to yet another amazing sight, which was perfect because it was just enough incentive for a little girl with little interest in hiking.
My favorite parts of our trip were:
One of our longer hikes to the hidden lake. It was a beautiful hike but also felt dangerous at times walking across the snow with a steep slide on one side. I enjoyed holding Audrey's hand. She as always, was excited to see new animals and on this hike we saw mountain goats and a marmot. On the way down as we passed by the marmot sunning himself on a rock she told me she'd love to be him. She said she'd love to lay in the sun all day and have so many fans.
Another one was a hike to a larger waterfall. On the way up I kept thinking we'd made it and then the signs would prove that it was just another waterfall. The last waterfall which we were trying to get to was larger than all the others and so much more powerful. We were able to get so close that I could feel the cold water on my face. It was amazing and so beautiful. The last mile of our hike Audrey was complaining. This was the end of our week and she'd been hiking everyday. It had gotten hot and there was quite an incline. Rod picked up Audrey and carried her most of the way back. She was so happy and he was probably so exhausted but I thought it was so sweet of him to help her despite the fact that he was tired too.
I truly enjoyed spending time camping in our tent. It's been so long since we've camped together and it was the perfect weather for sleeping under the stars. Audrey couldn't stop talking about how great it was to camp.
The only thing that made me nervous were the bears. The park tries to drive home preparedness when it comes to bears and they aren't exaggerating. We ran into some girls that had seen three different bears along the hiking trails. luckily they were little guys. We ran into two. One of them really far off the road while we were in our car and the other one when we were about to get out of our car. Luckily we were still looking for our parking spot. Bear spray and bells seemed like a really good idea after our close encounter. I was happy Rod and Anne had their trailer for storing all the food.
The last highlight was our hike through the cedar trees and our hike up avalanche trail. It was a beautiful hike. I felt like I was walking through the scene of a movie. The entire thing was shaded and the lake and mountains at the end were unlike anything I've every seen.
The water at glacier is brilliant blue which I found out later comes from the blue green slate which seemed to be everywhere.
In the end it was worth the drive and worth the hiking. I think we'll try to do it again in the future.
Our last stop before coming home was a quick trip to Cardston, Canada. I really wanted to drive through Grandma Craven's little town and go to the cemetery to visit my great grandparent's graves. The town of Cardston is so tiny but it was such a sweet experience. We went to the town center to see what there was to see, surprisingly the Cardston temple was on their list. We felt like visiting the temple was a must so we took a trip there and then to the cemetery. I guess I don't know what I expected. I thought we'd find great grandma and grandpa's headstone right away. Instead, after looking for what seemed like forever we found it and it was in the last section and almost the last stone we looked at. I was grateful because I was beginning to think that I'd never find it. Audrey was sweet to help my look and in the process she was collecting wildflowers to place on their grave. It was the sweetest little gesture. It means a lot to me that she cared.
In the end I was happy it was the last one because in the process I was able to find Great Grandma Tyler's parents headstone as well as two of her children who passed away at very young ages. My grandmother lost her parents when she was just coming into her twenties and lost her grandparents at the same time. I was touched by my visit. I guess I realized for the first time just how much trial and hardship my grandmother and great grandmother had been through and it gave me hope and such and overwhelming feeling of gratitude for the plan of salvation. Someday I hope to meet them. After our visit to the cemetery we went out and ate fries and a shake at the local drive-in. It was delicious!
