America's Best Idea

Glacier National Park

Our very first Airbnb stay took us to a cabin just outside the west entrance of Glacier National Park in Montana, marking our 13 year wedding anniversary and 18 years together. The place was a perfect fit, nestled by a creek, secluded in nature, and decorated in a way that felt like stepping into an Adirondack store. It instantly felt like home.

But before diving into our park adventures, let's talk about the delightful treats at The Huckleberry Patch, where everything huckleberry was a heavenly delight—shakes, pies, fudge, sodas, ice cream, you name it! I even ordered a pie from there to have it delivered for the holidays, it's that good and it's packaged perfectly and tastes just as delicious.

About this park, Glacier National Park was established in 1910, becoming the country's 10th national park. Despite its name, the glacier part is somewhat bittersweet. Back in the day, the park was home to around 150 glaciers, but sadly, due to climate change, only about 25 remain today. The name serves as a nod to the incredible glacial forces that sculpted landscapes, even though these magnificent ice formations are dwindling at an alarming rate.

The iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road is a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. It was constructed over 14 years starting in 1919, and although not fully paved until 1952, it was completed in 1933. Clearing snow from Going-to-the-Sun Road is an incredible feat and essential for keeping it accessible. Those who do it are definitely heroes!

Stopping to snap a photo by the Glacier National Park sign turned into an unexpected comedy scene. As we stepped out of the car, trying to pose for a picture, we were suddenly bombarded by an army of black flies. We found ourselves in a frantic dance, swatting and dodging the relentless swarm.

I can only imagine how comical it must have looked from an outsider's perspective. In a matter of seconds, we abandoned the photo op and sprinted back to the car, our arms flailing as we attempted to fend off the persistent flies. What made it even more absurd was that these little critters seemed determined to follow us into the car, buzzing around as if they had a personal invitation!

In the midst of our escape, it was both bizarre and hilariously chaotic. It's one of those moments you can't help but laugh about afterward, picturing the sight of us desperately fleeing from an army of flies.

Our next stop took us to Lake McDonald, the park's biggest lake. The water is so clear, it's almost like looking through glass. But what really caught our eye were the rocks below. They displayed an array of colors, from deep browns to lively reds, painting an extra layer of breathtaking beauty onto this already stunning scenery.

Now onto the trails. Even though my ankle was in a boot for the last six weeks because of the fracture, I was dead set on exploring. I wasn't going to let an injury stop me. I'll always do whatever it takes to heal, so I did therapy, rested, used ice, got massages, and more. I was determined to be ready, especially with matching boots, just for this trip.

I tested the waters out with a moderate hike with little elevation, my ankle felt good, the scenery was amazing, and it felt good to be on the dirt trail again. The Avalanche Lake hike gives you a sneak peek into what Glacier National Park is all about. The lake is like finding a secret gem, surrounded by lively green trees and reflecting the big mountains perfectly on its clear water. It's like a snapshot showing off the park's stunning beauty, capturing everything that makes Glacier so peaceful and filled with amazing views of nature.

On our anniversary, we decided on a longer hike, a 10-mile out-and-back to Iceberg Lake. The views along this trail way were just amazing. We saw the warning signs about the grizzly bears, and remembering our Alaskan experience where bear spray didn't quite cut it, we weren't taking any chances. Bear bells weren't our thing either; they don't do the trick. So, we made sure to carry protection, which isn't something we typically do back home. But in certain states, it's legal as long as you've got the necessary permits, and we made sure we had those covered. Safety first, always! It's funny how people give you looks when you're packing heat, but again safety tops everything. A family even wanted to join us after noticing Tim's holster, seeking that extra comfort.