I love those waterfalls

Jackson Glacier, Glacier National Park.

We took the Going-to-the-Sun road through Glacier National Park on Monday.  We checked out several scenic stops.  Lots of beautiful mountains, waterfalls, and impressive road designs.  The road was created in 1933 with the concept of blending in. 

Jackson glacier is the 7th largest Glacier of the 25 remaining glaciers, and the easiest to see. In 1850 there were nearly 150 glaciers.  Global warming has taken its toll and the glaciers remaining are also shrinking.

We didn't arrive in the park until after 8:00 on Mon., so by the time we got to a couple of the popular spots and hikes the parking lots were full.  We planned on just driving through though and will get up early a couple of other days to get a parking spot.

To drive the Going-to-the-Sun road you have to have a ticket to drive on it (only until Sept. 6).  We paid the $2 and got our ticket in June as soon as our visit dates became available.  The ticket is good for 7 days.  They did this to control crowds during the busiest tourist times.

They also have a park-and-ride shuttle.  It was not very useful to us because it didn't stop at many scenic spots so we skipped it.

We left Missoula, MT Sunday.   Pat has not been hearing out of one ear for over 2 weeks so I made him stop at an urgent care to have it checked out.  Sometimes I think he's full of it and, today, he was.  Full of wax that is.  They had him fixed up in no time.

Leaving Missoula.

We had never seen an animal crossing before.  I wonder how many animals use it.

Many signs on route 93 in the Flathead Indian Reservation include the Flathead language of Salish. 

We ate lunch at this rest stop with a view of the Mission Mountain Range

As we got close to Glacier everyone had Cherries for sale.  

Lake McDonald 

We saw a large number of dead trees.  Since 1939 a fungus, blister rust, has infected and killed 75% of Glaciers whiteboard pine trees.   There have been other diseases as well as forest fires.  There is currently a forest fire to the west of the park.

 

Haystack Creek

McDonald Falls

Sacred Dancing Cascade

Aster

One of the historic tunnels with windows for viewing.

Triple Arches
This bridge was built to support a section of the road.  This 65' bridge was built in 1927 as an alternative to a retaining wall.

St. Mary's Lake

Sun Point

Rowan

Goose Island in St. Mary's Lake.  One of the most seen pictures of Glacier.

Huckleberry EVERYTHHING.  Pies and shakes are in great supply.

Columbia Creek RV Park, Columbia Falls, Mt.  We are about 30 mins. from the west entrance to Glacier. 

Where are the Piepers now?  Columbia Falls, MT

Big Sky Country

Ten Spoon Vineyards and Winery just outside of Missoula, MT is our spot tonight, Saturday.  It is gorgeous and sooo relaxing.  I must say that Connie and Andy have some of the best wine we've had in a while.  With Montana added to the map, that will only leave ND, SD, and WY in this area--alas for another trip.

We'll pick up AZ later this year and we still have a few in the NE.

The winery had the wood fire oven fired up this evening and featured music from Josh Farmer of Missoula.  He provided vocals, piano, and a little trumpet. Very talented.  The pizza was good.  A little sweetness to their red sauce reminded me of maybe Gem City? in Quincy, IL.  A beautiful night (72°at 7), with gorgeous views, and a nice variety of music.  

Josh Farmer

A little foggy, but pretty, as we left Coeur d'Alene this morning.  Pardon the dirty windshield.

The fog cleared, as did the windshield (thanks Pat).

Missoula

Views from all sides.

Right behind our RV.  

We shared a flight.

We picked 2 bottles made with local grapes and one made with Washington grapes.  My picks are greatly influenced by the name, whereas Pat actually goes by taste!

Idaho--a new state to add to the map!  We spent the night by Coeur d'Alene.  Earlier in the day I was treated to some rare shopping (I LOVE to shop) time in Spokane.  When something new comes in, something else has to go.  It's time to clean out the closets.

Roger's has 4 stores in Idaho with this being the original.  Pat picked tonight, and he picked this for me because they had homemade potato chips.  A family owned joint where everything is fresh and made from scratch.  It was good and the chips were excellent!

A little art work.

Lake Coeur d'Alene

The area is known for it's water sports and mountain trails.

I woke up at 5:30 Sat. and it was 59°, brrr.  I turned on the heater and got back under the covers.  We have a furnace but when electric is included in our camping site we use the electric heater.  With such a small space it works well and saves on buying propane.

The Piepers are at Ten Spoon Vineyards and Winery near Missoula, MT.