23 Aug 2022 - First trip into Glacier National Park and Dinner with Alliance Friends

 23 Aug

Today we awoke to overcast skies following rain last night. It was till quite the view but we hope it clears up in the coming days.

Liberty did not mind as she was surrounded by new smells.  Our walk this morning was extensive as we strolled through the tent camping area and all the way around the RV camping area!  We then made some phone calls and started planning our time here at Glacier including the next couple days boat trip and Red Bus Tour.  After that we drove to St Mary's and to the entrance to the National Park. 

We didn't have a vehicle pass for today but we were able to get to the Visitor Center and gather some more park and hiking info. 

 Before entering the visitor center we were greeted by a very nice lady who was supervising the park shuttle service. We will be using the shuttle likely on Friday and Saturday at a minimum.  They offer an express trip to Logan's Pass first thing in the morning and then stops at predetermined points along the way back after than.

We entered the visitor center and were again greeted by a very nice park ranger who provided some maps and more information on the trails. 

There are several of the trails that are closed due to bear activity.  This will help us plan the few days we have here.  We toured the small "museum" they have there and then watched a very informative film in the auditorium called "Glacier:  Land of Many Journeys". 

One of the take-aways from the film was their statement that the remaining glaciers here will be gone by 2030.  That is only eight years from now...

Outside we stopped by the Glacier National Park Astronomy Program trailer and telescope.  On certain evenings, weather permitting, they offer a special program about astronomy and guests can observe the telescope and what comes into view.  They recommend bringing a jacket and a lawn chair!

We then headed further into the park to try and get a perspective on where our boat will launch tomorrow morning.  We were just about there and arrived at the checkpoint for the vehicle passes AND the point at which the big ol' brown truck is no further allowed due to length and width.  As suspected we were turned around by the park rangers there for those reason.  The boat area is just a short distance beyond so we have a good idea on the drive for tomorrow.  

On the way back to the entrance we admired the scenery although still overcast. Hopefully it will clear up soon!

We returned to campground for a while and then later met Connie Baldwin and Alicia Parham, friends we met at the Alliance Rally last August.  They own an Alliance coach and are traveling around the United States.  Alisha is able to work remotely from their RV and Connie is a retired police officer.  We met at a Mexican restaurant called Frog's Cantina. 

I guess Doreen spilled the beans that tomorrow is my birthday, so we had quite a celebration including "Happy Birthday" played by the musician at the restaurant! 

Towards the end of dinner the rain came so we wrapped things up and headed for the truck.  We stopped by their RV on the way back to the campground as they let us borrow a canister of bear spray to have with us while we hike the next few days.  

On the way back to the campground Doreen noticed a huge rainbow and grabbed a few pictures.  

That's a wrap for today.  Tomorrow morning we take a boat tour ride on the St Mary's Lake.