Glacier National Park

After another day in Calgary, we headed south to Glacier National Park.  Our original plans were to spend a few days in Banff National Park, which is only an hour from Calgary, but after the massive flooding that took place in Alberta last month we decided to change plans.  We had reservations at a place in Canmore, just outside Banff, but the town was hit hard by the flooding and many residents were still boiling their water and undergoing cleanup and repairs.  Plus, most of the hiking trails in the park were closed or in poor condition after the flooding.  So to Glacier we went, where the trails were dry and accessible and the accommodations in working order.

It was lunch time as we got to the park and we'd read about a local place in the town of St. Mary called Johnson's Cafe.  Let me tell you, it was well worth the stop!  It was a charming, small, family-owned restaurant with amazing food.  Eli ordered the Bear Attack.  The description in the menu is "everything but the kitchen sink" and even the waitress couldn't tell us what it was because whenever someone orders the Bear Attack it's up to the chef to create whatever he/she wants to.  Obviously, Eli ordered one as soon as he heard that :)  Every Bear Attack is completely different from another, and Eli happened to get a giant, sort-of burrito with all the fixings (including fries inside).  There were some random ingredients in there, but Eli claimed it was to die for and he devoured the whole thing.

Bear Attack!

Johnson's Cafe, with an incredible view of the mountains

After lunch we headed straight into the park.  I'd been there once as a kid, but didn't remember much.  Eli had never been.  We were both enthralled!  It reminded me of Switzerland.  The scenery was momentous and breathtaking, and the mountain air incredibly fresh.  We drove straight through the park and we couldn't stop staring out the window.  There is no better place to be than the grandeur of God's creation.

Wild Goose Island

The next day we went hiking.  Well, I should say we went strolling through the Trail of the Cedars and then my dad and Eli actually went hiking.  I don't do well with inclines these days, so I was happy to walk the flat, paved trail and then let my husband do the real hiking.  I wasn't pregnant when we originally planned this trip so of course I was originally planning to conquer the mountainous trails with Eli, but alas, it was not to be.  My mom kept me and Caleb company, however, and I got to sit and enjoy ice cream instead :)  Not a bad trade-off for a pregnant lady in the summer!

Trail of Cedars

Caleb ran around for awhile too.  This kid loves - LOVES - to play with sticks and wood chips and rocks and leaves and pinecones and pretty much anything he finds on the ground.  He was in heaven.  His shirt was rather appropriate; it says, "Rocks, Sticks 'n Water....this must be Heaven!"  Most of these pictures are blurry, unfortunately.  Caleb was moving too fast for me, plus it's getting more and more difficult for me to squat down to take photos of him, so I couldn't quite capture him this time.  But you can see how happy he was :)

with my mom and dad on the Trail of Cedars

On our last day at Glacier we went to Logan Pass, in the middle of the park where the Continental Divide is. It was downright cold when we got out of the car.  I was hoping to walk down the trail a bit with my dad and Eli, but neither I nor Caleb were dressed appropriately.  So we wandered around the Visitor Center for awhile, then left them to do the hiking while my mom kept me and Caleb company again.  My dad and Eli saw plenty of mountain goats and marmots, and had to trek through some snow too.  They said it was amazing.  I'm so jealous I couldn't have done it with them!

the Clarks: Krista (née Clark) Horn, Caleb Clark Horn, and Mark Clark

the Horns

Lastly, we ate our picnic lunch at a place called Lunch Creek, no joke!  It was lovely.  The stream was crystal clear and we could see all the mountains around Logan Pass.  It was the perfect way to end our short visit to Glacier National Park.  

Lunch Creek

And now we're home again.  Back to reality.  But we were refreshed from our travels and explorations.  We're so thankful we had the chance to go, and so thankful for such fun things to do and beautiful places to see in this world!