Bears and orchids

Another amazing week here at Glacier. The weather still holds out but even with some rain we still get out, wear  the rain gear and see the sights.   This week was Bear 1 training. An entire day devoted to learning about what is going on with bears here and what to do if you have an encounter. First identify if it is a grizzly or black bear.  If you have an encounter, decide if it is predatory or acting defensively.  Next, decide to back away quietly or fight back.  When do you use the bear spray?  How do you think we will do in this situation?  I think we should take a vote. Who is the wimp and who will stand their ground and be able to stay calm and collected.  Personally I have no need to see one up close and personal. I here they smell pretty bad.   When you bike you should still carry your bear spray on your handle bars or in the water bottle cage.   The old Girl Scout motto:  Be prepared!!

This week I went to an orchid tour around the park with a group of intense orchid lovers. Wow what a show of lady slipper, calypso, mertensiana   and bog orchids.  They are beautiful plants and you need to search for them on the forest floor.  When you think of orchids GNP doesn't come into the forefront of your mind.   I now know where to go for the show.

The highlight of entertainment this week was the theater in Whitefish which presented The Hitmen.  The group of guys were part of the Four Seasons, and a few others that had sung with Carly Simon, Elton John, Paul Simon the Doors, and wrote the theme for Grease.  It was a small venue and these guys rocked your socks.  We are not so far out in the sticks.  What a performance.

Unfortunately we had to pick up stakes and move to another camping site today.   We have been spoiled to have the best site in the campground.  Now we have neighbors and are more out in the open.  It is like moving to a new neighborhood.   We need to adjust to our new surroundings. I was just feeling like it was home.

I went to the nine hole golf league this week   Found a lady I had met on the trail and she invited me to a Monday hiking group.   The locals have been very nice. I feel like I am starting to have some community.   In addition to golf I am picking up a kayak this week to add to the sporting activities


available.   No rest for the weary. Walter is off to hike 14 miles with one of the back country rangers. He is really getting into shape.

I start helping out at the native plant nursery on Tuesday and am hoping to do some GPS of invasive plants on my hikes.    Need to work on that angle.

Chris and Katie are coming to MT this coming week to visit her family.  We will be lucky to visit  and share some time with the family.

Back Country Ranger training is next week while Wally is in NYC. I will need to pass on the
knowledge and hope I survive the training.  Our first guests arrive too so we are thrilled to have Phil and Sally  share our summer home. Planning a night at the Glacier Symphony in the park.  Reminds
us of the Central Park events.

Snyder Lake

Lots of snow on Going to The Sun Rd 

Know wonder the road opens in late June

Full moon over the camp

One avid orchid enthusiast 

Can I eat this one?

Lady slipper orchid

Bear Grass

Tip of the day:  bears line their dens with this soft grass