Lake McDonald and last of Glacier National Park

Lake McDonald on a beautiful clear day and we really enjoyed our kayak. There are 400+acres that are private in Glacier National Park, most around the lake and really neat cottages built in the 50-60's time period. We met some people that we staying in one - friends of the owner, and they were really enjoying themselves.

Great day on the water!!

One of the falls at Avalanche Lake and the following is a cute little chippy that tried hard to get treats from everyone there. He/she ran across my shoe to jump on the log and pose for me!

This is Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park. You hike up through the Trail of Cedars and then it is a 2mile hike up to the lake and so worth it. There are five water falls coming off the mountains into the lake and spectacular scenery! We loved it.

This picture is part of Avalanche Gorge - hiking up to Avalance Lake.

Larger picture of Avalanche Lake. Can you tell I haven't gotten the sequence of loading pictures?!

Here we are today at Kintla Lake at the northern end of Glacier National Park. We kayaked while the dogs rested in the car and then played in the water. Kenai didn't want to pose for a picture - too busy with other things! Flora and Mickie did though. Mickie just loves to look into the water for fish or rocks to play with. The water is so clear and clean that you can see down about 20 feet.

On our way up to Kintla we passed through the area that was burned out several years ago. It is sad to see, but there is new growth coming and will look good again in several years.

As we started up from West Glacier - a 25 mile trip one way which takes about 2-2 1/2 hours due to roads which are a one lane road with 2 way traffic and not what you would take your average car on, we looked out over this field into the mountains. On the way back a must stop is the Polebridge Mercantile in Polebridge Montana. Great little store with absolutely the BEST baked goods! It's fun to sit on the front porch of this old building and think of all that is has seen. Great area and if I would live in Montana it would be here.

Pat got to use Mel's kayak for the picture! The water was cool, but not as cold as I thought it would be and it is so clear.

I just love the scenery here at Lake McDonald and it was such a beautiful clear day. The temps are in the 80's during the day and in the 40-50's at night - great sleeping weather.

Well, we spent today enjoying Lake McDonald and it's beautiful scenery. Mel in his brand new kayak built just for him by a good friend. He loves his kayak!

Tomorrow we are planning a trip to Polebridge and then up to Bowman Lake for kayaking. If there was a place in Montana that I would move to it would be Polebridge area. Wait til you see the pictures!

4th of July evening at Bonz'. There were even great fireworks over the lake.

Some of the puppies posing at the gate. Too cute!

My friend Bonz posing with Mickie who she wanted to keep. I said as long as I got Issaquah it was ok - we still have our own dogs! We had a super time staying with her in Minnesota. They have a great house on a pretty lake and they have 18 dogs that are so pretty - even Coyote ugly! (Bonz husband Dave nicknamed one of the dogs Coyote ugly but we think she is really cute Dave!

We had a great meal on the 4th of July and other friends that live nearby, Pat & Mark Ellinger, came up and joined us. The picture of us follows:

Fun day on the 4th of July - Mel, Mickie, Pat, Bonz, Flora, Mark, Pat & Kenai.

This bison was so busy eating that even with the dogs barking at it, the eating was much more important.

This is a picture of the Little Missouri River flowing through Theodore Roosevelt National Park - very pretty area and we enjoyed it but we didn't see the wild horses - darn(:

This is the cutest prairie dog just posing for his/her picture. Mickie thought they were all rabbits and wanted to give chase!

We really enjoyed our stay in Medora, North Dakota. Tonight we are in Glasgow Montana and tomorrow we leave for Glacier National Park.

More pictures from our 4th of July weekend coming......

So above is a picture of the mighty Mississippi and a beautiful farm. Our campground tonight is one we had visited on our return trip 2 years ago, so we know where to walk the dogs!

Next stop Monticello Minnesota, home of Bonnie & Dave Lundberg and team.

We will be there tomorrow and another friend Pat Ellinger and her husband will be there for dinner on Sunday. It will be great to see everyone and spend time there so will post pictures from there next.

On our last day in Ohiopyle, Joel & Naida's daughter Harriet and Brenda came down to spend the day with us. We biked along the Youghghenny(spelling?), had some ice cream then shared dinner and a campfire. Ice cream is always best before dinner right?! We had a great day with everyone. It was sad to say good bye on Thursday to our friends, but we look forward to seeing many friends along the way, so watch out Bonz and Pat we are on our way!

Last night we stayed about 20 miles outside of Chicago in a beautiful KOA campground in South Bend Indiana. Today was on the road to Iowa and on the way we crossed the Mississippi River and into the farmland areas.

I have more pictures to post but for some reason it won't let me, so more later!