No rest for visitors

The bear situation has calmed down and between our good friends Mary Jane, Ray,Karen and Bill we have been running.  Hikes in the park, a few rounds of golf, fishing and touring the sights has left us all tired.  We still continue to live the NYC dinner schedule which includes closing down restaurants at 11 as well as camp dinners.

  Travel to Canada was a highlight with the Harrison's.   The Prince of Wales hotel had a beautiful location over looking Waterton Lake but the place was a bit rundown with no Adirondak  chairs to sit and enjoy the view.   We were able to view multiple  bears  across the road on the hillside from our rooms foraging for huckleberries to gain that winter fat.

Bill with his creative wit gave us all nicknames over the week of adventure. Wally is Chief Brown Finger ( he is great with pit toilet buckets), Karen H is Princess Broken Toe ( for a reason),  Karen J is
Princess Happy Trail ( my job). and Bill is Notorious  Bill E. Goat.  Please feel free to adopt any of the above.

Our last two back country patrols took place on the Eastside of the park in Many Glacier. The plan was to tent camp and enjoy this new area. Weather forecast pouring rain. We set up the tent and ran over to the beautiful Many Glacier lodge for 2 nights. Bless the people who cancelled their plans.  We stayed dry at night but our trip to Cracker Lake was a different story.  This was 14 miles round trip with two miles slogging up a horse trail with a huge ditch . Not our best moment but we did it because we are committed  volunteers or perhaps we should be committed.

Our last guests are friends from Texas, Tim and Melinda.  We  decided to drive through the National forest yesterday.  The gas tank on empty we climb and see no end in sight. Tension is on high as we have 12 miles on remote back roads  to go, we think, and only 3 miles per the gauge left in the tank. Not one of us has ever run out of gas except Wally the repeat offender.   No sign of people or civilization. Minds race as we get deeper into the interior.  But surprise, the road ends, Wally is the hero as we wisk our way to the pump.   The truck was mistaken and we had miles to go!!!

Our big news is Monica and her boyfriend Peter are now engaged.   He is now the fiancé. We are thrilled with our expanding family and will be hearing bells next year.   Peter took Monica to Maine and at sunset overlooking the lake at the family camp asked her to marry him.  What a lucky family we are.

Our thoughts are now turning to Denver as we get closer to leaving our oasis in Glacier.  Our plans are to pack up and leave next Tues and get to Denver in time for a baby shower for Katie.

As we reflect on this time here we realize it was the perfect buffer after leaving Summit and before starting life in CO.

Canada with Harrison's

Waterton Lake

The Prince of Wales Hotel

Our closest bear encounter( so cute)

Fly fishing the North Fork of the Flathead river

Walter the Hero

I know you have all been waiting for the continued story of the Bear and the shot heard around Glacier.  First and most importantly Walter was mentioned on the front page of the local paper.  How elated was Walter after the big incident.   Wish his name was in lights but Volunteer Back Country Ranger was the title.   This is how it went.  Volunteer Wally making his patrol up the Snyder Lake Trail when suddenly a man comes racing down asking if Walter was with the park.  He said I shot a bear. He charged through my bear spray and I shot him.  The  bear rolled off the trail  and didn't   move. I ran down and turned people back from going up the trail.  The man was from Texas and you know the stereo type about guns and Texans.   Walter called the dispatch and reported the incident and interviewed the perp.  After finishing his report he closed the trail and kept visitors out of the area.   For those who don't know the law, you can carry a gun in National Parks but you can't shoot them.   Oops.! The story has grown just like the old game of telephone tag.   For example, the perp was injured, or he did not report it,  or he was from Texas so obviously he just wanted to shoot bears,  or how could the bear run through the bear spray ( that's what I want to know).   We finally got the correct ending of the story.  The bear could not be found.   Probably not a happy bear and will not mess around with humans.   The law enforcement team found blood so he was shot and the perp did spray his bear spray and the can was empty, just no bear. The Texan was an upstanding visitor per Walter and the law enforcement team. He could have been mauled.  I am counting on my bear spray and don't plan on buying a 357 magnum.   Hope we don't run into one with a gunshot wound or a tooth ache.

Off to Waterton National Park in Canada with the Harrison's tomorrow. Keep you posted.

Fun on Avalache Trail

The Hidden Lake Overlook with Mary Jane and Ray

Mountain goats at Logan Pass.  (Radio collar for research)

Sunset over Whitefish Lake for Walter's B'day

Hidden Lake at the top of Logan Pass on Going to The Sun Rd

Happiness is!!

Walter and I realize that the summer is flying by.   Before we know it we will be leaving our little oasis to return to the big city. Everyday we appreciate where we are living and enjoying the opportunities we are so lucky to have.  ( just got a phone call from Walter saying shots fired at a bear.  I don't  know the story yet  but will keep you posted.).   The excitement continues.  We have realized that people don't respect the wilderness. There was a women who slipped off some rocks and fell into the creek and died, a real tragedy. This area is not Disney as some think as they hike with out water, in flip flops and no food. The most common cause of death in Glacier  is drowning.  We  are well prepared as you never know what circumstances you will encounter. 

Our guests continue to arrive.  Scott and Evelyn, friends from Pgh came for a few days as well as Craig.   So happy to have friends and family share the experience.  Craig went with us on one of our patrols  to East Glacier.  Wind whipping and rain came and went.  Good rain gear is important and makes the trip comfortable.  We talk to everyone on the trail, checking for permits and safety.   This was our longest trip which ended up at 15 miles.   Still no bear encounters thank goodness.

I did finally get my new kayak with a rack that I can do by myself. It is wonderful skating along the water looking for loons and other wild life.  This is a nice addition to the outdoor equipment arsenal.  I think we are finally looking like we belong in Montana.

 Bear scratching on Aspen Trees

                                            Hike at Two Medicine with Scott and Evelyn

Bear Grass Blossoms or is that Bosom?  

Craig and Walter enjoying the view

Old Man Lake. Our destination

A car full of gear, dust and dirt covering the car and pick up truck.   Walter was growing a beard and he put on his cowboy hat and he transformed from a NYC consultant to mountain man.  Amazing what a few months will do.

Next post will include the shot heard in Glacier.