Stephanie does not like road construction.

We squirted out of Laurel's quite early in the morning and began our venture to Great Falls via Glacier National Park. The first thing we did was stop at the restaurant we ate at last night cuz Steph wanted a picture. Then we went to Starbucks in Missoula and made a blog post. I had to call tmobile to get my login information, so it took quite a bit longer than it should have.

The drive up to Glacier was pretty in it's own right, but was aggravating Stephanie to no end due to road construction. It seemed like every time we were on an indian reservation they were doing construction. However, the construction on the reservations wasn't like much of the construction on the interstates, they were actually working. We drove past miles and miles of men on tractors and men grading and lots of trucks carrying loads of materials. I only find construction aggravating when they close off 2 lanes of an interstate for 20 miles so they can fix a pothole.

We were out of the work zone soon enough though, and were admiring the Montana countryside again. The road up to Glacier took us past Flathead lake, which is enormous, but didn't seem to have anyone, or anything built, on or around it. I was impressed that the gas prices, even right at the entrance to the park, were only about $2.80. I don't know what's wrong with California's distribution system, but it's broken. At the entrance to the park we bought a National Parks pass for $50. It will let us into all US national parks for a whole year, and it will be worth it by the time we get to Yellowstone, nevermind all the parks beyond.

McDonald Lodge, red tourbuses in background, main squeeze in foreground.

Glacier Park is gorgeous. The entrance to the park is right on Lake McDonald, which is another gigantic lake, but it's also crystal clear, nearly as deep blue as Crater Lake. The shore is all rounded rocks like a river. About 10 miles into the park is McDonald Lodge, and we stopped and had lunch in the bar there. The view out the window was of the lake, and the prices were cheaper than in the dining room. I had a buffalo burger, and Steph had a turkey wrap. The buffalo burger tasted pretty much like any other burger, just a little dry. I guess that's why we prefer cow.

The Bar at McDonald Lodge

As we left the lodge it started to rain a little, but the sun still peaked through the clouds at various points throughout the sky. We took the "Going to the Sun Highway" through the park. This drive is more awesome than any other drive you have ever done. It starts at 3000 feet elevation on the valley floor and climbs to 7000 over the next 20 miles. There are turnouts about every 1/4 mile and at each one we wanted to stop and take pictures and we did at most. At the top of the pass you can see 4 peaks over 10,000 feet within 5 miles all around you, and you can see down to the valley floor. It's breathtaking. It alternately poured thick sheets of rain and shone sun on us, and that made for really interesting lighting.


On the way down the back side of the pass it was just as beautiful, but we were beautifulled out. We stopped at perhaps a quarter of the turnouts that we should have. Just as we left the park a large coyote ran across the road right in front of us, a fitting goodbye. The drive to Great Falls from Glacier was pretty straightforward, but there was a lightning storm over the plains. We were alternately in it, or driving around it, and it kept things interesting.


Our PG&E bill keeps emailing me telling me that our online payment is not going through, so I called them from the road. Unfortunately, after being on hold for a while, and finally getting to a person, lightning struck right near the car and I lost the call. Amazingly, the guy called me back! PG&E said there is something wrong with our checking acct, so I called Wells Fargo. After losing the signal a couple of times, I managed to get through, but Wells Fargo says there is nothing wrong with our acct, so I'm rather frustrated. PG&E gave us an extension so we can pay by regular check when we get back, but grrrrr.

A gorrilla chasing a monkey

Two giggling girls
Now they are behaving

When we got to Great Falls the computer had us driving for 3 miles on small neighborhood streets. Those last 3 miles seemed to take longer than the previous 50. Upon pulling up at Sasha's grandparents' Jazlynn greeted us at the door. She has been excited since we got here, and her Grandma said she kept asking when supper was, because we were supposed to arrive at suppertime. Grandma made a superb dinner of porkchops and green beans, and homemade rolls and jam. We had homemade apple pie for dessert, and I felt like a king. Their house is right on a city park, so we took a walk around it afterward to ease the strain, but soon ducked back into the house as mosquitoes descended in droves. Stephanie had Sasha catch up on her blog reading and then it was time for bed.

Sasha and Fiancee Brian

That is all.

P.S.

This is where I am without my sandals.