{"id":2684,"date":"2014-07-10T19:15:37","date_gmt":"2014-07-11T00:15:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/?p=2684"},"modified":"2014-07-10T19:15:37","modified_gmt":"2014-07-11T00:15:37","slug":"big-sky-vacation-day-6-e-i-e-i-o","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/?p=2684","title":{"rendered":"Big Sky Vacation Day 6: E-I-E-I-O"},"content":{"rendered":"

Special thanks to my photographer for most of the day: \u00a0Joe “Don’t Care” Zurek<\/p>\n

Is it Day 6 already?\u00a0 We\u2019ve been having a great time and the time has been flying by.\u00a0 Everyone must have been tired from the hike yesterday.\u00a0 We all slept in a bit, even Alex.\u00a0 We must have needed the sleep for the days to come.<\/p>\n

We started off the day with pancakes by Zerah.\u00a0 She has her mom\u2019s recipes and this pancake recipe was one of them.\u00a0 They were delicious.\u00a0 Thanks, Zerah, for sharing a little bit of your mom with us.\u00a0 By the way, Zerah agreed to send the recipes to Rich and I\u2019m going to input them into the Mom\u2019s Recipes site so others can share in these wonderful foods.<\/p>\n

We were headed to Apgar Village and Lake McDonald today.\u00a0 First stop was at Marias Pass where we viewed the monuments to the explorers of the west and the train industry as they were trying to find a way to put in a line all the way to the west coast.\u00a0 They finally found it here at the Marias Pass.\u00a0 The pass is named for Meriweather Lewis\u2019 cousin.\u00a0 Yep, that\u2019s Lewis of Lewis and Clark fame.\u00a0 I thought the marker for the Continental Divide was here also.\u00a0 But it turned out to be a little further west of here.<\/p>\n

Next stop was at Goat Lick.\u00a0 Here is a cliff that is almost straight up, but the goats use it like a sidewalk quite easily.\u00a0 The cliff contains deposits of natural salt, which the goats use as part of their diets.\u00a0 While we were visiting, we were able to see an adult and kid make their way down the side of the cliff to the salt lick.\u00a0 Pretty fascinating to see how easily they walk up and down the face of the cliff.<\/p>\n

There is also a train trestle at the overlook.\u00a0 As we were walking back to the cars, a coal train went over.\u00a0 The boys enjoyed watching the train cross the bridge.\u00a0 Maybe a couple of adults enjoyed it also.<\/p>\n

West Glacier is the more touristy side of the park.\u00a0 You could see it today also.\u00a0 There were three gates open and we were still backed up.\u00a0 We drove down to Apgar Village and luckily found parking.\u00a0 The village isn\u2019t that big and it tends to fill up quickly.\u00a0 James and Stevie were there and everyone met up for a quick hello.<\/p>\n

The inn at the edge of the lake offers waterside rooms and great views of the surrounding mountains.\u00a0 The water was very calm yesterday.\u00a0 You can rent boats, sailboards, and just swim in the lake.\u00a0 The water is pretty cold though.\u00a0 You have to remember the source is up in the mountains and in the glacier formations.<\/p>\n

Back on the road, we headed to Lake McDonald and McDonald Falls for our first hike.\u00a0 Every time someone said the word McDonald, Alex would sing out E-I-E-I-O.\u00a0 Now that\u2019s all I can hear in my head when I even think McDonald!\u00a0 We ended up on the horse trail going to the falls.\u00a0 This just meant there was \u201cdebris\u201d along the trail.\u00a0 The river was full of water which meant the rapids were pretty rough.\u00a0 The falls had enough volume to be very pretty and made quite a roar.<\/p>\n

In the past, the right side of the bank had been exposed and you could walk on the rock shelves there.\u00a0 I have a picture that Rich had taken of Rick and me there.\u00a0 Not today.\u00a0 The water was roaring up over that spot and you could only stand at the top and look over.<\/p>\n

We crossed the bridge and went down to the beach along the left bank.\u00a0 This was an opportunity to grab a snack and left everyone enjoy the cool breeze from the water.\u00a0 It was another hot one today.\u00a0 Owen, Zane, and Joe were skipping rocks as boys will do.\u00a0 Then we packed up and headed up the trail.\u00a0 The terrain is hilly, but not particularly rough.\u00a0 It was taking a bit to get back to our starting point, but we made it.\u00a0 Joe and Zane were tramping through the mud.\u00a0 The cry of the day was, \u201cJoe don\u2019t care.\u201d<\/p>\n

We headed on down to Avalanche Creek to have lunch before going on the next hike.\u00a0 After lunch, we enjoyed a walk along the bank of the McDonald River (There is goes again!) where Avalanche Creek flows in.\u00a0 Here the river was running high also.\u00a0 Alex was trying to get Joe to walk across a log.\u00a0 I think it was a little slippery and getting too much wetter wouldn\u2019t be good.<\/p>\n

Owen was a little too tired to carry on.\u00a0 Sean took him back to the car while the rest of the group walked the Trail of Cedars.\u00a0 This is a wooden walkway and some paved sections there were very easy walking.\u00a0 We went around to Avalanche Gorge to see where the stream came through the narrow opening in the rocks before continuing down to McDonald River (There it is again!).\u00a0 The walk was a good stretch of the legs after eating.<\/p>\n

Along the trail, it was cute to see Joe walking with Zane.\u00a0 There were hand in hand for a while before Joe gave him a ride on his shoulders.\u00a0 There were like little brother and big brother.\u00a0 The photos were cute.<\/p>\n

So the decision had been made to continue on Going to the Sun Road back to the other side of the park.\u00a0 This usually takes a while with traffic since it is slow going and dodging the cars leaving and pulling onto the road.\u00a0 The traffic wasn\u2019t that bad though.\u00a0 So we climbed up to the Crown of the Continent.<\/p>\n

As we climbed, we could see the amount of snow still on the ground.\u00a0 Many of the trails were closed due to the snow and ice.\u00a0 The waterfalls and weeping walls were all going full blast with the amount of water that was pouring down from the mountain snows.\u00a0 I\u2019ve never seen it going this much.<\/p>\n

The drive here is right along the edge of the mountains.\u00a0 In some places, it is very narrow and you go slowly to make sure you don\u2019t bump mirrors with the other cars.\u00a0 I always like to drive this road.\u00a0 It feels like a challenge even though it just appears that way.\u00a0 We stopped off at a point where you could walk up to a snow field and a snow bridge.\u00a0 Alex and Joe got their pictures taken with the bridge.\u00a0 It seemed appropriate that there was a sign there telling you to stay off the bridge.\u00a0 Alex carved his initials into the snow.\u00a0 No, he didn\u2019t do this by peeing either.<\/p>\n

We continued around to Logan\u2019s Point, where we decided to stop and see one of the points where avalanches in the snow had occurred.\u00a0 It was pretty impressive how deep the snow still was.\u00a0 A ranger arrived at the same time we did.\u00a0 He was closing the area due to a wolverine that was in the area.\u00a0 They wanted to make the wolverine was undisturbed and people didn\u2019t get hurt.<\/p>\n

Of course, he had to chase a couple of people off the cliff where the sign clearly tells you not to walk so you don\u2019t damage the vegetation.\u00a0 That\u2019s because the plants only get 3 weeks of growing time up there.\u00a0 They never recover from the boot prints!<\/p>\n

We did see a couple of mountain goats making their way down the cliff face and onto a snow covered trail.\u00a0 On this trip, we\u2019ve seen quite a number of goats and rams.\u00a0 I find that pretty amazing.\u00a0 No bears or moose though.\u00a0 Yet.<\/p>\n

On we continued to Logan\u2019s Pass.\u00a0 Yes, the snow fields were still there and some of the areas were pretty thick.\u00a0 As Rich thought, the Hidden Lake trail was pretty much closed.\u00a0 The signs were definitely warning you of the dangers up there.\u00a0 I understand there was a small snowball fight between the Zureks also.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know firsthand.\u00a0 I stayed down at the cars with the kids.\u00a0 They were both sacked out from the morning hikes.<\/p>\n

Then it was on down the road to St. Mary\u2019s Visitor\u2019s Center and through the road destruction one more time.\u00a0 Alex was complaining about being dehydrated.\u00a0 I made the mistake of telling him that he needed to drink more.\u00a0 He assured me that he would as soon as he got back to the house.\u00a0 I realized then that he was talking about beer while I meant water.\u00a0 Alex!<\/p>\n

As we went by the St. Mary\u2019s Falls parking lot, Rich looked back and found Virginia Falls up on the mountain.\u00a0 He was amazed to see if so far up.\u00a0 It was the first time we had realize why the hike was so hard that day.\u00a0 That was a long way up!\u00a0 Rich looked it up in the new book I had purchased at the shop in Apgar Village.\u00a0 The gain and loss was pretty good on that one.\u00a0 My legs hurt just thinking about it.<\/p>\n

We stopped by the St. Mary\u2019s Visitor Center to take a break.\u00a0 It was a long way from the last stop we made.\u00a0 I think they were looking for James\u2019 camera.\u00a0 He thought he had left it there.\u00a0 No one at the desk knew about a camera.<\/p>\n

We had a quick conference about the subject of dinner.\u00a0 Rich and Alex were voting to try the Whistle Stop Restaurant in East Glacier Park.\u00a0 The sign out front announced they had the best BBQ ribs and chicken.\u00a0 We agreed that was the place and off we went yet again.\u00a0 We got there to find the lot filling up fast and the tables even faster.\u00a0 We were shown to a table on the outside deck.\u00a0 The doorway was more through a window than a door.\u00a0 We had entertainment out there as a guy with a guitar.\u00a0 He was pretty good, too. We heard blues, soft rock, country, folk, and some of his own music.<\/p>\n

I have to admit that the chicken and ribs were pretty good.\u00a0 It tasted good when you were really hungry.\u00a0 We ate up pretty well.\u00a0 Service got really slow as the place filled up a lot.\u00a0 We stuck around for dessert though.\u00a0 The huckleberry pie was amazing.\u00a0 We managed to get a bill and pay.\u00a0 Or Alex did.\u00a0 Thanks a bunch, Alex!<\/p>\n

Alex and Joe wanted to golf before they left at the end of the week.\u00a0 We swung by the lodge to see if there were tee times available.\u00a0 Turned out, there was a scramble going on Friday and Saturday.\u00a0 They could play on Thursday.\u00a0 We had a plan for the next day then.\u00a0 Alex and Joe would do 9 holes and then the adults would go do a long hike.\u00a0 The boys and I would stay at the house and rest.\u00a0 There was no way I could do one of the big hikes they were all trying to do.\u00a0 They decided to go back to the Scenic Overlook trail that we had tried the first day in Two Medicine.\u00a0 Zerah just wanted to hike something high.<\/p>\n

That evening, we got cleaned up and hung out at the house.\u00a0 Once again, we were tired and sore.\u00a0 At least we were able to see some more of the park and enjoy a nice ride on Going to the Sun Road.<\/p>\n

Tomorrow, it\u2019s a home day for me with Zane and Owen.\u00a0 I just hope they come back with a load of pictures and stories.<\/p>\n

NOTE:\u00a0 I just have to tell you that I\u2019m actually writing this on Thursday since I was too tired to do it on Wednesday.\u00a0 I have Owen and Zane standing over me firing questions and comments.\u00a0 They are the toughest editors I think I\u2019ve ever had.<\/p>\n

\"Reading<\/a>
Reading plaques at Marias Pass.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Red<\/a>
Red Jammer bus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Goat<\/a>
Goat Lick where the goats hang out.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Looking<\/a>
Looking toward the lake at Apgar Village.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Looking<\/a>
Looking up the street in Apgar Village.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Saw<\/a>
Saw this on the steps at Apgar Village.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Nice<\/a>
Nice view from the inn at Apgar Village.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"On<\/a>
On the trail to McDonald Falls.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"McDonald<\/a>
McDonald River from the trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Rich<\/a>
Rich at McDonald River.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Alex<\/a>
Alex on the bridge over McDonald River.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Glacial<\/a>
Glacial blue in McDonald River.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Another<\/a>
Another shot of McDonald Falls.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"McDonald<\/a>
McDonald Falls was our destination today.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Boys<\/a>
Boys skipping rocks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Alex<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Stopping<\/a>
Stopping for a snack at McDonald Falls.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Owen<\/a>
Owen having fun throwing rocks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Rich<\/a>
Rich and Alex taking a snack break.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Looking<\/a>
Looking back at the bridge we crossed at McDonald Falls.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Lunch<\/a>
Lunch at Avalanche Creek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Everyone<\/a>
Everyone enjoying lunch beside McDonald River.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Avalanche<\/a>
Avalanche Creek joining McDonald River.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Everyone<\/a>
Everyone starting up the Trail of Cedars path.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cute<\/a>
Cute shot of Joe and Zane.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Making<\/a>
Making the trail easier for Zane.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Avalanche<\/a>
Avalanche Gorge at the end of Trail of Cedars.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Weeping<\/a>
Weeping Wall on the Going to the Sun Road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Haystack<\/a>
Haystack Creek coming down the wall.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Mountains<\/a>
Mountains on Going to the Sun Road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Alex<\/a>
Alex leaves his mark in the snow. Just his initials this time.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Snow<\/a>
Snow bridge at Haystack Creek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Glacier<\/a>
Glacier still left on the mountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Bridge<\/a>
Bridge cut into the rock face.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"What<\/a>
What is left of the snow, even in July.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"View<\/a>
View of the valley from Going to the Sun Road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Two<\/a>
Two waterfalls coming down.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Still<\/a>
Still more beauty as we go along the road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Starting<\/a>
Starting up to Logan’s Pass on Going to the Sun Road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Snow<\/a>
Snow is still pretty thick in places.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Rugged<\/a>
Rugged and beautiful mountains all around.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Reaching<\/a>
Reaching greater heights on the road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"One<\/a>
One of the avalanche fields.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Mountains<\/a>
Mountains still in snow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"More<\/a>
More views to ah and ooh at.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Yet<\/a>
Yet another view of the mountains.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Lots<\/a>
Lots of snow on that mountain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Looking<\/a>
Looking down into McDonald valley.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Formation<\/a>
Formation on top of mountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Two<\/a>
Two waterfalls coming down.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Mountain<\/a>
Mountain goats across the from Logan’s Point.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Logan's<\/a>
Logan’s Pass Visitor’s Center<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"From<\/a>
From the parking lot at Logan’s Pass<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Alex<\/a>
Alex getting ready to take steps onto the snow field.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Snow<\/a>
Snow field at Logan’s Pass.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Joe,<\/a>
Joe, Rich, Zerah, Sean, and Alex at Logan’s Pass<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Finally<\/a>
Finally getting dinner at the Whistle Stop Restaurant.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Special thanks to my photographer for most of the day: \u00a0Joe “Don’t Care” Zurek Is it Day 6 already?\u00a0 We\u2019ve been having a great time and the time has been flying by.\u00a0 Everyone must have been tired from the hike yesterday.\u00a0 We all slept in a bit, even Alex.\u00a0 We must have needed the sleep […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2684"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2684"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2684\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2761,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2684\/revisions\/2761"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2684"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2684"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2684"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}