Above treeline
Montana summers are the kind of summers people in southern parts dream about. They vacation here in dry 75 degree weather, with a cool breeze at night to ripple the leaves of the aspen trees, and talk about moving here someday.
Some of them do, and most of them leave after two years, when they finally realize the good weather lasts about six weeks. After that, days get windy and cold fast. But I’m not ready to ruin the mood yet with talk of bad weather. Right now I’m basking in the manic good mood that comes with lots of light and warmth and the all important vacation. Which is why, for those keeping track, I’ve been a little slower to blog, and a little quicker to play outside this month.
We just returned from hiker’s paradise, Glacier National Park, where I spent my “coming of age” summer between college semesters what seems an age ago. Glacier is a magical place. It’s full of grand mountain vistas, waterfalls, wildlife, and wild college students. Since it’s only open for three months a year in a fairly remote location, it results in a perfect marriage between corporate greed and broke college students. Which is why I saw at least two apoplectic tourists yell at the desk clerk while we were there.
Doug at Siyeh Pass
I worked in the kitchen in one of the grand lodges when I worked there. I learned to hate cantaloupe, and salad bars, and sandwiches, and pretty much all the food I had to manhandle on a daily basis. But I had a wonderful time with my coworker singing off Broadway tunes in the kitchen, and a so-so time singing country western cabaret at night for tourists (you can only sing the Tennessee Waltz a few times before you want to kill someone, preferably yourself).
The lodge at Many Glacier
I also learned to love hiking and grizzly bears and huckleberry ice cream and karaoke that summer. The karaoke thing hasn’t lasted (thank god) but the rest of it stuck. Which is why I jump at the chance to go back to Glacier every summer. You can see why.
Though the park has a few more visitors than I remember, the hikers are still quite a congenial crowd. We met a nice familial trio on the hike up to Grinnell Glacier. An enthusiastic father and his two sons strode along with us, and the 12-year-old kept a steady chatter going, giving the grizzly bears some fair warning of our presence.
The trail to Grinnell Glacier
“Where are you from?” I said.
“Wisconsin,” he answered.
“Wisconsin!” I said. “You know, we met some people on the trail yesterday from Wisconsin and I told them that everyone I’ve ever met from Wisconsin has been friendly. You have a very nice state.”
“It’s the cheese,” his dad replied. “It keeps us mellow.”
“That’s what they said yesterday. That exact quote!” I said, which was true, and they had also been exceedingly friendly.
When we arrived at Grinnell Glacier, we stopped for a late lunch, and I offered to share our smorgasbord of crackers, veggies, and other good stuff with the family because it seemed that the only item they brought with them to eat was Wisconsin cheese. The dad pulled out a large bag of sweating Wisconsin cheddar and string cheese from his backpack and swapped it for some crackers and garden sweet peas. It was very good, and when I said so he gave a knowing smile and then a lecture on the evils of California cheese and the audacity of the Laughing Cow people to air ads in his state. Really, I’m not kidding. These people are serious about their cheese!
“Where’s your cheese from?” he said, pointing to the small wrapped packet of cheddar I carried to go with our crackers.
I looked down, a little ashamed.
“France.”
Fortunately, they had already agreed to take our picture.
Tags: funny, Glacier National Park, Grinnell Glacier, hiking, humor, Montana, trail, vacation, Wisconsin
July 30th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
August 7th, 2009 at 5:34 am
Ah, memories!
August 7th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
You are killing me!
August 7th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
These photographs are extremely beautiful. I was in Montana when I was just eight years old. We were there for a matter of minutes. We were really on vacation in Yellowstone (Wyoming Side) & my Dad went to get gas so I could say I was in Montana. However, I know there’s a lot to see there… someday I will go back!
August 7th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Huckleberry ice cream? I’m in! We’ve spent lots of time in the Pacific Northwest and my husband’s family still lives in Idaho. That said, I’ve grown accustomed to the subtle seasons of SoCal. Yes, there are seasons – you just have to pay close attention. We live up close to the mountains in the one region where lilacs grow, so the trees actually turn brilliant orange in fall. For that, I’m grateful.
August 10th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
You worked at Many Glacier! I didn’t know anything about Many Glacier or Glacier National Park when we visited friends in Bozeman many years ago. They told we had to go there and to stay at the Many Glacier. They called in reservations for us two days ahead, asking for lake view. We got the most incredible room! The next time, years later, we called two months in advance, asking for lake view, and when we got there, you could see the lake if you hung out the window and peered around the corner. So I know how those grumpy tourists at the desk felt, ha, ha. We took some fabulous hikes and I’m glad I didn’t see the grizzly bear sign until after the hike. On our second visit we hiked to Granite Park Chalets and stayed there overnight. I’d love to return. Thanks for the memories!
In the interest of full disclosure, I worked at the East Glacier lodge, but I visited Many a lot. I’m so glad you got a chance to experience Glacier. It’s one of my favorite places in the whole world! Janelle