The Little Engine that Could......

Lake Mac Donald from our kayak

Sunday

We left Lakeside and headed for Kalispell, Columbia Falls and onto Glacier National Park. It was never our intention to get this close to Alberta, Canada. However, when all things were considered, we asked ourselves, ‘Why not?’ We understand this to be the premier park in the United States. After spending a day in this environment, we concur. It is an exquisite place. Perhaps there are too many visitors but so are we. It was interesting that this weekend was declared a ‘free admission’ period. This, of course, did not help matters for crowding. It did not aid us either as we had purchased an annual pass, a couple of weeks before.


At the visitors’ center, we asked about hikes and what else…? Bear activity, of course. The ranger said, ‘There are bears all over the park.’ That got us off to a good start but our editor put on her stoic face again and off we went. We plan a big hike for tomorrow so we started with an easier one because we are being more cautious than normal. This is bear country and we have undertaken to be responsible or more accurately, careful. We walked a bit over 6 miles from the car to Avalanche Lake and back. It was a small elevation gain of five hundred feet through the forest. The lake water shone in different colors, depending at what elevation one stood. It is very pretty with a stunning backdrop of cliffs and waterfalls. However, before we got there, in fact, as we commenced the hike, a funny thing happened.
Not two minutes after we passed the trailhead, a black bear stopped thirty feet in front of us. We did a double take for a second and then clapped our hands. If that was to put fear in the bear then it failed miserably. We entered into a standoff. The bear stared at us and we looked back, neither party giving an inch. We have no idea what was in the mind of the furry animal. From the expression on its face, we make the following observation. Of course, this could be our imagination in top gear—sometimes it is not easily controllable.
The "Bare" Path
However, the bear looked at us as if to say, ‘If this is the best that you have to confront me with then what the hell... It’s not even worth raising a sweat. Maybe, I should return to Canada.’ We reached for the camera and snapped it. The limited light of the forest delayed the shutter and by then, the bear with the bored attitude, turned and walked away. A pity because a picture would have been nice. We hope not to get another opportunity.
We returned from the colorful lake with the surrounding mountains and waterfalls and decided to go boating on Lake McDonald. This is another beautiful body of water. We were at Lake Flathead in the morning, Lake Avalanche in mid-afternoon and McDonald during the late afternoon. All the lakes are amazing. We know we are repetitious but that’s the truth.

Our editor is encouraged by Nate and Celia Levy as well as Irv and Sandy Samit to sail on a ship. So we decided to start with small steps…hum, strokes and take a kayak. This is not the first time we have paddled together. However, the last few times a little tension developed. You see, one of us has to perform like the engine while the other is the rudder.
The problem with the rudder is sometimes the left is the right, the right is left and at times both the right or left. We understand some female minds think of things like direction as mere detail. Well, the engine can lose its cool and get overheated. Hence, the odd bit of tension. Today, it was much better. The engine had low expectations and the rudder performed admirably.


Once again, it was truly a magnificent experience on the big, silver-blue lake surrounded by the splendid mountains and cliffs.
We really wish you were here to see it first-hand. The camera is a very clever gadget but it does not capture it in the same way—certainly not in our hands.

PS The good news is that Jenni (or me) did not have a ‘nightbare’ last night.