Glacier National Park!

The original plan for this trip was WAY back around 2020.  Well plans sure changed around that so we decided (kinda last minute) to just book it and do it.  I am SO glad we did.  It was amazing.  The weather was great and this place is just gorgeous!!!  We packed as much hiking in as we could in our 4 days.  So here's our trip!  

DAY 1

We flew into Kalispell and grabbed a quick bite of lunch at a sandwich shop called Laurie's Deli.  Then we checked into our cute little cabin at the KOA.  It was perfect and so close to the national park.  We changed clothes and drove into the park.  It was raining a bit but that was ok.  We did the Avalanche Lake trail.  We were a bit soaked once we got back but it was so pretty and fun to see!  Afterwards we drove back to Apgar village for dinner at Eddie's.  It was yummy!

DAY 2

We got up early....and hit the road.  We went into the park early to get a parking spot to hike the Highline Trail at Logan Pass :).  It wasn't crowded at all thankfully!  Seeing the sun come up was beautiful!!  The weather wasn't great because it was so foggy so we couldn't see much but still fun!!!  Every once in awhile the skies would open and we would get a glimpse!  We hiked through forest for awhile and then at the end before the turn around we went up to Grinnell Glacier Overlook.  It was very steep and sadly we couldn't see a thing!!!  The windy was blowing so hard and it was freezing!!  We didn't stay long but we accomplished it!  We started the way back and gosh it felt long.  We were so tired at the end but glad we did it!  We drove back to West Glacier for dinner at West Glacier Restaurant....it wasn't great but we didn't really care.  We sat in the hot tub when we got back and that felt so good!!

This is his spot!

The top!!  

His fancy water filter.....he was so proud of himself :)

DAY 3

We slept in a tiny bit and drove back into the park.  We decided to see all the famous waterfalls.  So we did St. Mary's and Virginia Falls first.  They were gorgeous!  Then we did Rift Gorge and Baring Falls.  We tried to go to Logan Pass again for lunch but it was packed so we just had lunch by Lake McDonalds.  A crazy squirrel wouldn't leave us alone.  It was kinda funny.  Lucy would've loved it!  Then we drove into Apgar, shopped some and then got huckleberry ice cream for a small fortune (ha!).  We walked around for a bit and then decided to drive to Bowman lake.  It is pretty far north so it took awhile....but after yesterday, it felt good to sit a bit!  The trees were gorgeous as we got closer.  We walked around the lake for awhile....it was so incredible.  We sat by the shore and just put our feet in and relaxed for awhile.  It was great and so needed.  Afterwards, we stopped back in Polebridge and then headed back to West Glacier for dinner at the West Glacier resort.  Dinner was great and then we headed back to cabin.

DAY 4

We started super early again and drove all the way over to the east side of the park to Many Glacier and did the Grinnell Lake trail.  The skies were clear so our views were incredible.  The lakes are ice, crystal blue....so beautiful!  We got to the glacier and it was pretty chilly but we walked up on it and took pictures.  It was pretty cool to see!  We took our time on the way back and then headed back on the east side and finally (after many attempts) found a place to eat dinner.   We went to the Belton Chalet.  It was fine dining and we definitely didn't look "fine" (ha!).  But we sat at the bar and devoured our food!!  We shopped for the kids and then headed back to cabin.  The stars that night were AMAZING!!

hiking shoes were worn out!!!  straight to the trash!

DAY 5

Last day....we got up early and squeezed in one more hike at Logan Pass.  We did the Hidden Lake overlook trail.  It was easy and quick but still so pretty!  We headed back to cabin and packed up and went to airport.  Amazing trip and time with each other.  I'm so thankful for grandparents so we can get some time just the 2 of us!!  It was needed and so good for us!

And our CRAZY kids in their undies waiting at the gate for us when we got back....who's idea was that?!?!?!  oh my.