Category: Out & About

Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road

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Our quick two-day stay at Glacier ended way to quickly. We were to arrive in the Seattle area before nightfall and had a good 9-10 hour drive ahead of us. First though, we were leaving the park via a sensational, awe-inspiring drive. One of the most famous mountain roads in the United States is Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road. This 50 mile road crosses the Continental Divide and spans the park from east to west. Construction of the road began in 1921 and was completed 11 years later. It was an engineering feat. It is the first to be registered in National Historic Places, National Historic Landmarks, and Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks. 

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Rising Sun Campground and Many Lake Hotel in Glacier National Park

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We were one of the lucky ones, who arrived before 6:30 in the morning, to grab a campsite as soon as the current camper decided to break camp and leave for their next destination. It was a beautiful site, in Rising Sun Campground, that nestled up to a steep granite wall with clinging shrubs and crisscrossing paths from the bears traveling berry bush to berry bush. Encircling our campsite was a thicket of thimbleberry bushes providing a nice hedge of privacy as well as tasty berry treats for snacking and on top of yogurt. All of these ripe berries are what brought the bears into camp early in the morning and later as the sun set. 

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Glacier National Park & Happy 100th Birthday National Park Service!

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August 25th is the 100th birthday of the National Park Service. In 1916, Woodrow Wilson established the National Park Service by signing the Organic Act into law. The purpose was to, “conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”

What better way to celebrate than by looking at a true treasure and one of our nations most beautiful national parks, Glacier National Park. In 1910, President Taft signed the bill creating Glacier the 10th National Park. In 1932, Waterton Lakes National Parks in Canada and Glacier National Park were joined together and named the Waterton-Glacier  International Peace Park. In 1995 it was designated the first World Heritage Site. We were fortunate to be able to visit there this summer for two short days. It is a spectacular park with towering rugged mountains, sparkling turquoise lakes, thick green forests, beautiful vanishing glaciers, colorful alpine flowers and home to the big eight of wild mammals – grizzly bears, black bears, mountain lions, wolves, wolverine, mountain sheep, moose and mountain goats.

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Springtime is Blooming Everywhere!

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As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The Earth laughs in flowers.” This spring, it is definitely having a good belly-laugh ! Each day, something new begins blooming.

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Besides the springtime flowers making remarkable growth, the weeds are, too. This milkweed in the above picture is testament to that fact. Actually, I always leave a generous spattering of milkweed in the garden for the monarch caterpillars to eat and on which to lay their eggs. 

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Orcas Island – Last Day

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Our last day on Orcas Island. Sunday morning was misty with occasional rain. Our plan was to have breakfast on our balcony, pack-up, and then go back to Eastsound to the bookstore before getting on the ferry for our return to the mainland. We had fresh squeezed orange juice, a yogurt parfait with strawberries and granola, pumpkin bread and scones. The Blue Heron Bed & Breakfast had been a wonderful home away from home. I know Carrol and Bogdan are looking to retire and have their beautiful home up for sale. I hope someone as friendly, professional, and accommodating buy it and run it as well as they do. 

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Orcas Island Shopping

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An afternoon of shopping on Orcas Island was perfect for a girl’s weekend out! It was a treat of unique stores, yummy food, and spectacular scenery. We decided as soon as we got back to the bed & breakfast, that we would eat just a little cheese and fruit to tide us over until we got back to town to find a cafe.  My daughter had to use the internet to work for a tiny bit, so I took off to explore the water’s edge just across the road.

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The Blue Heron Bed & Breakfast, West Sound on Orcas Island

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Former teachers, Carol and Bogdan have lovingly run the beautifully historic 1910 Blue Heron Bed & Breakfast in West Sound for the last ten years. Their motto is, “At the Blue Heron Bed & Breakfast, hospitality is our number one goal for your stay in our home. We want you to feel comfortable, welcomed, and relaxed. If you are traveling with your pet, we will make every effort possible to see that your stay is enjoyable for everyone.” They certainly fulfilled their goal. 

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Orcas Island – Day 1- Going to Mt. Constitution

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There’s something unique about the San Juan Islands. Perhaps the islands should have been named “Peace and Serenity” as that is the feeling you have as you step onto the island. It’s as though all the stress and problems you arrive with, are immediately whisked away and you are embraced in a cozy blanket of calmness. People drive slower with no impatient drivers honking their horn. There are no traffic jams. The locals, as well as the visitors, have an unspoken law of friendliness with the “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” attitude.

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Anacortes and on to the San Juan Islands

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Anacortes is called the “Gateway to the San Juan Islands” — that is exactly what it was for my daughter and me. Although we didn’t have a lot of time to explore the town before we had to be in line for our ferry to Orcas Island, we did find some very interesting things and had fantastic views of the islands. I know we will come back to this town on another day with more time to do some extended exploring!

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Our first stop was Cap Sante Park, gotten to by climbing a steep winding hill up to the park. The views were spectacular in all directions. To the west, we looked down on the town of Anacortes, the marinas and the San Juans in the distance.

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