Biking and Boating Through Glacier National Park

Yesterday was a quiet day, consisting only of last breakfast with Julie in Bozeman and a long drive to West Glacier.  We did manage to stop along the way in Seeley Lake for some much needed ice cream. After a quick dinner in the RV and an evening cigar, we bedded down fairly early.

This morning we rose late and had breakfast in the RV.  The stove in our RV has thus far been used only for cooking Butter Braids we brought along. I'm not sure what we will do when we run out, as I've only ever purchased them as part of school fundraisers and I don't think you can buy them in stores. If I'm mistaken,  please so advise.

After breakfast we unloaded the bikes for our journey into Glacier National Park and road from the RV park to the West Glacier entrance and to Apgar Village for a quick coffee and a potty break. It was touch and go with Dagny this morning as she has been fighting a cold and wasn't sure if she was up for the ride.  To her credit and her fear of missing out, she saddled up and came along.

From Apgar Village we road the Going-to-the-Sun Road to the Lake McDonald Lodge. Seeing that it had a scenic boat ride, we bought tickets and the kids played a little Rook before our outing. We spent about an hour on the ride.  In hindsight, I think I would have enjoyed more renting a small boat, equipped with an 8 horse power outboard motor to have our own adventure. It would have entailed less of the bus tour tourist types. We did enjoy some wonderful views and learned a little history of the park.

Walking back to our bikes, Alastair and I had visions of continuing another 6 or 9 miles up the Going-to-the-Sun Road, past where it is closed to cars. Those visions disappeared once our butts hit our seats and we decided to ride back with the women folk. Dagny started struggling at this point and we stopped in West Glacier Village for dinner and ice cream. We finally made it back to the RV, reloaded the bikes, and showered up. I imagine it will be an early night and we will all sleep well.  Tomorrow will be a driving excursion into the park.  Thanks to Maggie being a 4th grader, we have free entry into all national parks this summer, which is a nice perk. If you have a 4th grader, check it out and get out there.

- Dave