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Friday, August 4, 2017

Glacier National Park and Going to the Sun road

Still in Kalispell, Mt; just down the road from Glacier National Park.


 We left out early since Mr.Charley remembers how busy it can be, but it didn’t help much. We had a short wait in line, and luckily Mr.Charley has his Sr.Pass, so it was free to get in. I can’t get mine until I turn 62, Aug.20. I did a search and have a list of places I can get one in Montana, so we’ll be sure I can secure mine before the 28th deadline and the rate goes up!  I digress again, back to Glacier & the Going to the Sun Road.
Oh! One more thing! The wildfires in both British Columbia and Montana have left a smoky look in the clouds, so if you see a hazy mist that is most likely smoke.


This is the view outside of our campsite: 
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Morning ride to Glacier Natl Park
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Let me give you the Google description: Glacier National Park is a 1,583 sq.mi. wilderness area in Montana’s Rocky Mountains, with glacier-carved peaks ad valleys running to the Canadian border. It’s crossed by the mountainous Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Now for my description: Awesome, but busy. I did take over 300 pictures, but I’ve wheedled down to about 180.
Here we are!:
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The Going-to-the-Sun Road is the main stretch that takes you through the park. It is a 2 lane road that is ( partially under construction) busy with all the tourists, but the only way to go up through the mountains to see the sights. There are a few different campgrounds within the park, ( we generally don’t stay inside the parks when we travel) along with cabins, lodges,etc. The road meanders along Lake McDonald, and over various creeks. You can Google some videos on how they made the Loop that rides along the mountains, let me tell you; it was pretty hairy a few times, riding next to the mountain wall around curves, going thru tunnels, looking at waterfalls and always searching for wildlife.
We saw a bit of all of it! The mountains are fantastic, Bird Woman Falls, Weeping Wall, Triple Arches on the Loop wall, Tunnels, and lots of Mountain Goats.
Partial pic of Lake McDonald
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One of many tunnels
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Here’s some of the views:
That’s Heaven’s Peak 8987 ft.
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The Going to the Sun Road was a major engineering feat!
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I kept the front of the truck in most pics to give you the true “view”, notice on the left, the road is directly against the mountain rocks; notice to the right is the “wall”  
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A little smoky, but that part of the view over the valley below
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We’re coming up to a curve! (one of many)
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This is what’s up ahead. Notice the “tunnel” through the wall allowing the waterfall to flow under the road. (this is one of many)
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I love the wildflowers blooming!
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You get the idea of the road?
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Waterfalls! 
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Without stopping, it takes at least 2 hours to drive the full 50 miles of Going-to-the-Sun road, and with the traffic (and the girls) that was a long enough ride. We packed a lunch and found a place to have a picnic & let the girls stretch a bit. Look what we saw at the picnic sight!
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That’s it for now, just a small tidbit of our day.
Have a good one everybody, we’re sure trying to


RV Riding is never ceasing to be amazed at all the awesomeness out there just waiting to be seen







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