Going to the Sun

This morning I woke up for the first time with the sun in my face. I sprung out of bed and went to go look out the window at the mountains- I could see them perfectly, there was hardly a cloud in the sky! I didn't waste any time. I fed the cats who were clearly annoyed that I had slept til 8am hungry for their breakfast, and got in the car. Over the past week I have gone to Whitefish a couple times, each time passing the sign for Glacier National Park with a sigh because of the weather. But today, I excitedly took that right turn, and headed to the park. It was fun to drive on Highway 2 towards the park because you are headed right toward the mountains the whole time watching them gradually get larger.

I made it to the park, and found out from the ranger that only 10 miles of "Going to the Sun" road was open due to the snow. I was ok with this, paid my $15 dollars and drove until I couldn't drive anymore. Sometime in the future I will have to come back to drive the entire length of the road. It goes right through the heart of the park, and has some spectacular views from what I have gathered from the internet. I pulled over to the side of the road to park, got out my hiking boots and wandered along the side of Lake McDonald for several hours. I took a lot of pictures, but again, I have yet to find my camera cord so you are going to have to settle with my phones pictures for today.

This picture does not do it justice at all. It was so amazing to stand on the bank of this lake and see these mountains. The water is so clear, that I bet you could still see all the way to the bottom if you were at its deepest spot. I found a spot that jutted out into the lake a little bit, took a seat and just took it all in. At first I couldn't get over how quiet it was, there was no highway noise, no noise from people, and the water was just so still. But once my ears got used to it, I heard so many things. I could hear the snow melting from the sun beating down on it, the very quiet sound of the water lapping up on the banks, birds chirping, and the breeze making its way through the trees ever so softly. Its amazing the things you can hear and see once you clear your head.

Eventually and reluctantly, I made my way back to the car. I stopped by the visitors center on my way out of the park to grab some post cards (so check your mail!) and headed back to Kalispell. I got back around 4pm and decided to take full advantage of the sun. I got out the deck furniture they have stacked in the corner for the winter, grabbed a Montana beer, turned on NPR who was playing some fabulous jazz music, got my book and my journal out and soaked in the sun. The cats had the same idea. The four of us (me, plus the 3 cats) stayed out there until the sun went down peering out at the mountains and following the bald eagles soaring overhead. Here is the view I had this afternoon:

I was really excited when my phone rang and I saw coopers face on the screen! Cooper, who has been at basic training for the past several weeks, has very limited phone access and so I was really excited to chat with him if even for a couple of minutes. Last he heard I had just accepted my job in Seattle, so he was curious to hear what I was doing in Montana. Following that I got a call from my Mom and was able to catch up with not only her but the whole family! I can't wait to have them come visit this summer!! hint hint :)

Anyways, I finished the evening by making myself some grilled zucchini and a sweet potato. This was a nice treat since I have mostly been juicing the whole time I have been here. Heres to healthy beginnings!