Winding Down in West Glacier

Dave and I made our last entry into Glacier National Park this morning.  We had both Hilltopper bicycle batteries charged and we were able to ride over ten miles with a little help from the batteries.  We saw a doe foraging through the picnic area.

Our picnic dinner last night was a success.  Why does food seem to taste better when eaten outside?  We picked a spot that someone had evidently just vacated, because the campfire was still smoldering.

We sat by Lake McDonald after we ate and enjoyed the views as the sun got lower.

 

The water was so clear that the multi-colored rocks and pebbles showed up.  How would you like to do a jigsaw-puzzle of this picture? 

This afternoon I made a final trip to the village of West Glacier, which is located just outside the park entrance.  I visited the Canadian visitor's center which features the province of Alberta.  We didn't go to Canada this trip, but ten years ago we stopped at West Glacier before we went on to the Canadian part of the park at Waterton.  We also visited Cardston's Carriage Museum, the Head-Smashed-in-Buffalo Jump, Drumheller's famous paleontology museum, Banff, and the towns of Salmon Arm and Hope.  In July of 2001, the U.S. dollar was stronger against the Canadian dollar!

Canadian Visitor's Center in West Glacier

Alas, this stuffed grizzly inside the Canadian visitor center was our last chance to see a bear on this trip.

Tomorrow we say goodbye to the West Glacier KOA and head west on Highway 2 all the way to Deer Park, WA, which is north of Spokane. 

Our site (#139) at the KOA