A return to Glacier

Julie and I made it back to Glacier National Park this weekend, exactly one year after first journey there together. As before, it was gorgeous. Going-to-the-Sun road was closed, unlike last year when we made it all the way to the top of Logan Pass (big map). So we decided to focus our efforts on the west side of the park.

After camping at Apgar campground Friday night we took the road north (the Inside North Fork Road) that takes you to Fish Creek campground and then onward, on a narrow dirt road, toward the tiny town of Polebridge. The natural beauty up there is simply amazing; far, far beyond words or even pictures (but I try):

Our first interesting creature. She or he is a Barred Owl. This beauty was just off the side of the road watching cars, and presumably little critters, passing by. We also spotted: a fox, a black wolf with a dead animal in his/her mouth, a chipmunk, and many, many deer.

Friday night at Lake McDonald.

Golden Leaf.

Puppy (or wolf) prints.

Kinda weird, kinda true (wolves are known to lure loose dogs away and, yes, eat them). This is the front of the saloon, yes, the only one, in Polebridge, MT.

Bowman Lake, with scenery much like Lake McDonald, only closer (the mountains that is, because the lake is much smaller) and with fewer people.

Julie and I pause for a photo-op overlooking the Flathead River, between Polebridge and Columbia Falls.