Week Seven of Summer Vaction ~ Yellowstone, Glacier & Waterton National Parks

Week Seven began with a yummy breakfast at a little cafe in town. After that we were off to the pool at the KOA. An hour of swimming, dunking, and some nice hot showers had us all ready to tackle the Upper Loop of Yellowstone National Park.

The Upper Loop has as equally spectacular sites to be seen. We began the loop by starting at the Canyon. They refer to it at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and let us tell you it was GRAND. The pictures taken and created of this canyon are a large part of what led to the creation of the first national park in the USA. We walked the ½ mile down to the look out point at the top of the lower falls which was well worth regaining the 600ft of elevation on way back up. SparkJ led the charge up the hill at a very brisk pace. DaddyJ and I had to work hard to keep up with our little power house. It is amazing what the known reward of ice cream can do for generating good will, a lack of whining and a brisk pace for a 5 year old!

Checking out the interpretive centre

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

After the canyon, we were off to Mammoth Hot Springs. This is a lovely stop on the loop as there is a mini-town. We enjoyed watching people get far too close to some young elk while we enjoyed the promised ice cream. The hot springs at this section of the park are quite large and different from the pools we saw in the lower loop as they are terraced. These are larger hot springs which bubble to the surface creating fantastical shapes with the elements they bring to the surface. One of the neatest is a large extinct formation called the Liberty Cap which is strangely reminiscent of an Easter Island statue, or a rock from Stonehenge. The colours and textures of the terraces are vivid.

Yes Mom, we did stop to see the Petrified Tree!

Mammoth Hot Springs Terrace

We finished the day touring the rest of the loop, enjoying the Obsidian Cliffs, varied scenery and magnificence of the park. When we asked the kids if the long drive was worth it, they both responded quickly ans resoundingly with a yes. Pleasantly, they even said that they would like to come back next year. In the end, all 4J’s say that if you have the chance, take in Yellowstone National Park, it is the definition of natures’ awesomeness.

On Monday afternoon, we hit the road for Glacier Nation Park. It is approximately 600km between the parks. Again the scenery was lovely, the roads in good condition for driving 75mph, except in a few construction zones where people we actually working and the drive uneventful. We did make a quick stop at Target in Missoula for some treats for the kids and snack. Everyone enjoyed the chance to peruse one of our favourite fun and functional stores. CubJ picked up a learn to play the harmonica kit with the money he had earned for the trip. It turns out that those music lessons at school really have sunk in, he was able to read the music and kept us entertained for the rest of the drive.

Just prior to arriving in West Glacier, we all enjoyed driving around Flathead Lake. DaddyJ, the lake lover, was particularly happy to watch the water and road while I enjoyed all of the cherry orchards. In the background, SparkJ was happily playing with her newest Littlest Pet Shop addition to the rather pleasant harmonica music. Hard to beat that for a happy drive

It was wonderful to return to the same campground as last year and to have the same cabin. The kids were quickly off to the park for some playing while we got organised for dinner and a fire. Tuesday morning, we were in to Hungry Horse, for some delicious huckleberry pancakes at the Huckleberry Patch. It is always to satisfying to eat simple food, prepared with love and quality ingredients. All four of us left with full bellies and happy hearts. (Despite some time spent looking for a red tiddlywink on a reddish brown floor, LOL)

We made our way into the park and went directly to Lake MacDonald to skip some stones. While skipping, I happened to mention to DaddyJ that I thought CubJ might enjoy going out in boat with him after his big canoe adventure at camp. Well, that led to discussing the powered boats, 9.9hp metal boats for rent. For those of you who know DaddyJ, you know that he is not a man prone to giddiness, well he was full scale GIDDY this day! Watching his joy at being out on the water was infectious. He taught CubJ how to steer the boat, the dangers of swamping it, and how to navigate to your destination. You can really tell that his whole life before coming out west was spent on the water, enjoying the water, thinking about the lakes etc. I think it could be one of the happiest times on the whole trip! Our great adventure on the water led to lunch and a visit to cool gift shop with the trees growing through it. It was a lovely visit to Apgar, the memories of the day will live with me forever.

We spent the rest of the day relaxing at the campground pool, playground and ice cream parlor. Our time in Glacier was so relaxing. The most difficult thing we attempted was to play go fish in the wind while our camp fire kept us toasty. It was the ideal way to unwind before our vacation came to an end.

On our way home we went through Waterton National Park as we traveled up the Cowboy Trail home. It was nice to be back home and look at all of our pictures from the trip. Everyone enjoyed the trip but each have different favourite parts. For SparkJ, it was the paint pots, for CubJ Old Faithful, for DaddyJ, the boat ride and for me, having seen our plan from last years camp fire chat come to fruition! Thanks for a great trip family and here’s looking forward to many more

The trip on the Going to the Sun Road and St Mary's Lake

The last days of the week were spent with DaddyJ and I busy with our chores as the kids enjoyed the comforts of home. We managed to play at the playground, enjoy cricket practice and enjoy being together.

We hope that this post finds you all well and enjoying your own summer!

Best Wishes Always,

MommyJ