August 16, 2013 - Our plan to leave early for Many Glacier and hike to Iceberg Lake did not go as expected.  Jeff had extreme allergies this morning with lots of snorting and sneezing.  It was like a bear joined us during the night.  Even though we arrived at the land of many glaciers around 11AM, we decided to hike the Iceberg Lake trail anyway and at least get to Ptarmigan Falls.  After a tail-gate snack of granola and banana, we were off.  Jeff was not feeling his usual strong self, but I was ready for our last hike in the Park, 10.4 miles round trip but only 1200 feet of elevation gain .

In bear country again, we sighted many bear spray containers on other hikers.  But I had my bear song that Jeff composed yesterday.  Bears do not like noise, especially my off-tune melody.  The meadows and mountains rising to the heavens were spectacular.  So much of it untouched and there for the hiker to enjoy and renew one's spirits and dedication to make this world a better place.  We ambled through more miles of God's garden in the high country.  We arrived at Ptarmigan Falls, both of us hot and tired from hiking in the mid-day sun.  We agreed that in spite of Jeff's headache, his back ache, and allergies, and my slower hiking speed, that we were too close to an experience that we have never encountered (icebergs in a glacial fed lake) to not take advantage.  And so we moved on and up into more pristine forests and meadows.

Finally we reached Iceberg Lake.  I'm so thrilled that I made it --- 5.2 miles one way.  Sitting here on one of nature's chairs marveling at the icebergs floating in the lake and the emerald green water glistening in the sunshine.  The mountains rise high above, forming a cozy little cirque for hikers to relax and ponder the beauty of creation.  A breeze pushes the mini icebergs across the lake and cools my sunlit body.  I found another "forever" place to rest my tired body when I leave this Earth. The the ice clinging to the rocks is not going to break off and crash into the lake during my short visit here.  From what others have told me, there are more icebergs in the lake this year than in previous years.  This has been a hot summer at Glacier National Park.

What I value so much about our experiences is that we are in an environment where war and human pain and suffering  do not exist; where peace can be experienced as it should be, where we know and accept that we must return to that "other" world to share our gifts and talents in a place where peace and joy are hard to find or identify.  I am forever grateful for these opportunities to enjoy God's many creations and so cognizant of the moral response they demand.

On the way back, Jeff went exploring off-trail for a bit and found a small unnamed lake surrounded by grasses and reflecting the surrounding mountains.  He quickly radioed for me to join him.  It was totally worth the extra time and distance to experience this perfect gem of a lake and take pictures in the evening light.  After taking dozens of pictures we decided we better move on if we were to finish the hike before dark.  

We returned to the car after the sun had set and felt good about accepting today's challenges.  This called for pizza and beer at a nearby restaurant in the park.

To see more of my pictures from Glacier National Park, visit Glacier National Park Featured Gallery.  Signed fine art prints from many of my photographs are available for purchase on Fine Art America.  For special offers and to follow my photographic journey please Join My Email List​.​​

August 15, 2013 - Jeff was up very early today to photograph Wild Goose Island located in the middle of Saint Mary Lake.  The tiny island is composed of limestone that somehow avoided being compressed during the glacial age.  All the rock at the bottom of the lake and the mountains on either side are compressed limestone.  Due to its geological rarity and scenic beauty, this iconic scene is one of the most photographed in the park.

After Jeff returned, we enjoyed a nice breakfast at the restaurant, then drove to the visitor center to get help with hiking plans for the last two days in the park.  We decided to enjoy a boat tour of the lake combined with a 3 mile hike to Saint Mary Falls.  This was a good choice because a ranger naturalist accompanied us on the boat and was our hike leader.  With a degree in geology she had a lot of interesting information to share.  While we were safely in the boat we spotted a black bear walking along the shore.

As we walked up a short hill to view Baring Falls, a large black bear was spotted near the tour boat by some hikers.  They said he was heading up the trail to Saint Mary Falls, our main destination.  Our fearless leader took her bear spray in her hands and led us up the hill chanting and clapping hands all the way.  The only part of that bear we saw was his scat filled with berries, some not even digested.  Jeff was hoping to photograph a bear so he made up a jingle to sing while hiking.

Of course, singing the jingle would only scare the bear away so we never did see this particular bear.

After hiking for an hour and listening to more naturalist talk, we arrived at the falls.  Its rushing waters empty into Saint Mary Lake.  We were only able to spend 15 minutes at the falls because we had to meet the next boat at 5PM.  I could  have stayed so much longer to appreciate the beauty and grandeur and to lose myself in pondering the importance of water as it relates to the existence of this planet.

The hike back to the boat took in some grand views of Saint Mary Lake.  The lake has that beautiful emerald green color because of the glacial silt that flows into the lake and reflects the light.  Any glacial body of water will have that reflection of light that creates the emerald green color.

We learned a lot from our volunteer ranger during the return boat trip.  In 1910 there were 150 glaciers in this park. Today there are 25 and those could be gone in 15-20 years.  Not only the glaciers, but life that co-exists with them, Iike the insects and bugs . . . And life that depends on the insects and bugs . . . And all the way up the food chain.   We are all interconnected and depend on one another.

Tomorrow we are planning another hike into Glacier's high country to Iceberg Lake.  Icebergs in a lake . . . Really??

To see more of my pictures from Glacier National Park, visit Glacier National Park Featured Gallery.  Signed fine art prints from many of my photographs are available for purchase on Fine Art America.  For special offers and to follow my photographic journey please Join My Email List​.​

August 14, 2013 - We enjoyed our higher elevation hike to Hidden Lake so much that we planned another one from Logan Pass.  This time though, we packed up our gear early, and arrived at the visitor center around 9:20.  Even at that, there were only a few spots left in the parking lot.  Before hiking we had a "tailgate" breakfast of home made granola, our friend Phyllis' blueberries and the last two pieces of banana bread which my sister gave us for the trip.  Then we were off for a 6.6 mile hike.

The Highline Trail along the Garden Wall was constructed similarly to the GTTS (Going to the Sun) Highway.  It was literally blasted out of the rock wall face.  For a quarter mile of the trail, we hugged the wall of the cliff high above the highway.  A hose-covered-cable was secured into the rock wall for hikers to hold onto for safety and/or emotional support.  It was a good trail though! 

Then we entered the "garden" with flowers gracing both sides of the path and climbing high on the rocky cliffs above as well as hanging onto the cliff sides below.  So peaceful with time for personal thought and appreciation for the gifts that Nature provides.

The trail meanders through a couple of small forested areas only to reappear in the "garden"again.  The waterfalls cascaded from the peaks above, shedding the last vestiges of snow, and rushing to the road below.  The trail paralleled the road with steep and dangerous cliffs separating the two.  Dangerous only if one chooses to hike off trail.

Lots of hikers on the trail; most younger and faster than I.  Aware of that fact, I stopped and moved to the side so they could pass.  And every time the thought occurred to me that I used to be one of them.  And even more so as I was still hiking uphill and they passed me going down!

There wasn't much elevation gain, but it was hot and I tend to hike slowly now watching every placement of my feet to avoid tripping and/or falling.  Jeff of course was far ahead of me, but our 2-way radios keep us in close contact.

Staying so far ahead is not always beneficial for Jeff since I usually carry the food.  So when he arrived at the saddle below Haystack Mountain, he had to wait patiently for his lunch.  Lots of "seating" below the Haystack; not restaurant chairs like in Switzerland, but Nature-made ones.   Even with lots of hikers in the "saddle", there was plenty of room to spread out.

Since I was one of the last ones arriving, we lingered to give me time to rest before heading down.  Fortunate for that, since we were "treated" to a visit by three bighorn sheep, 2 rams and one ewe. This was such an exciting experience for both of us since the bighorns don't populate the areas we usually hike.  Of course we used a lot of digital film.  And then we really did need to head down the trail, in spite of the afternoon heat.

The meadows maintained their peaceful tranquility and beauty as we departed the "saddle" to return via the same trail to Logan Pass.  In the heat of the day, I anticipated the two biggest waterfalls, where I filled my hat with water and poured it over my head.  Dipping my hiking handkerchief in the cold water to wipe my face and arms seemed to revive me for the remainder of the hike.  Even Jeff relished the cold water on his face.  Many years ago we could even drink that cold flowing water and satisfy our thirst.  Drinking the warm water in our water bottles today maintained our hydration but was not satisfying like a  swig of cold mountain water.

Another day in the high country to renew ourselves and to be continually thankful and appreciative for this part of our world.  We have seen a great deal of wildlife on this trip.  Deer, antelope, and bison at the National Bison Range.  And in Glacier National Park, we had up-close experiences with mountain goats, bighorn sheep, marmots, ground squirrels and even bear poop on the trail.  Jeff spotted a bear on Tuesday at such a long distance, he didn't even attempt a picture.  So I guess the bear poop will have to count!

Tomorrow, Thursday, Jeff will be up at 6am to get pictures of Wild Goose Island which sits in the middle of Saint Mary Lake.  And I'd like an easier day of hiking.

To see more of my pictures from Glacier National Park, visit Glacier National Park Featured Gallery.  Signed fine art prints from many of my photographs are available for purchase on Fine Art America.  For special offers and to follow my photographic journey please Join My Email List​.​​

August 13, 2013 - Altars  of rock surrounded by grasses and flowers.  Meadows are lush and green and full of color.  It was like walking in God's Garden with wildflowers, rushing waterfalls and erratics strewn through the meadows left by the glacial flows.  And a pilgrimage of hikers walking up the mountain was an incredible scene to view.  And  there was never a lull.  As some returned on the trail others replaced them.  As I joined the "pilgrims", I pondered the many reasons for taking this pilgrimage into Nature's paradise. I was so thankful to be hiking after seeing a woman in a wheelchair at the end of the paved trail.  She could go no further, but her face told me that she was completely enjoying the beauty from her chair.  I was so thankful that I could hike and take in all the sights and sounds that she would miss.

In the higher meadows and rocky areas, I met a nanny goat and her baby walking towards me on the side of the trail.  Such a treat.  Neither feared me, but the baby picked up momemtum as it passed me trying to keep up with mom.  More goats as I arrived at the overlook above Hidden Lake.  All this time as I was slowly ambling up the trail, Jeff had been searching for and finding goats to photograph.  I settled on a rock outcropping with several others who were enjoying one another in the spaciousness of these grandeur peaks and the meadows dressed in  their vibrant colors.  

And now I'm all alone.  Jeff is searching for that perfect shot with colorful meadows against a backdrop of mountains shedding their rocky scree.  And Nature is my only companion.  If this could be my eternity, there is no doubt that I would stay. And while Jeff was focused on his meadow shot, a goat snuck up behind him to within 15 feet.  A bit of a surprise to turn around to greet a mountain goat bearing down on him .  According to Jeff it was more like a staring contest, with the goat retreating first.

On our trip down, we met a group of Mennonites awed with the beauty of the mountains and the lake below.  Apparently a little girl was taken with their dress and I overhead her mother's discussion with her about different ways and different cultures and everyone has gifts to offer.  And down further, a little boy started to dig in the meadow.  His mother immediately snatched him onto her lap to explain the reason we need to show care and respect to the flowers and meadows.  "They don't have much time to grow and bloom and share their beauty with us, so we need to protect them."  She used the word 'environment' several times so that little boy will grow to understand.

Many good moments of life today.  Tomorrow another hike at Logan Pass.

To see more of my pictures from Glacier National Park, visit Glacier National Park Featured Gallery. Signed fine art prints from many of my photographs are available for purchase on Fine Art America.  For special offers and to follow my photographic journey please Join My Email List​.​

Olympic National Park, located in the north-west corner of Washington State, is undoubtedly the most diverse national park in the United States. Because of this diversity and its incredible beauty, the United Nations designated Olympic National Park as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.

The central core of the park has high glaciated mountains and expansive alpine meadows.  Surrounding this central region are extensive old growth  and temperate rain forests. There are eleven major river systems that drain the Olympic mountains.  These riparian zones provide quality habitat for the region's anadromous fish species. As if this weren't enough, the park also protects over 70 miles of wilderness coastline, making it the longest undeveloped coast in the lower 48 states.

Over 90% of Olympic National Park is designated as wilderness.  You can access the outer edges of the park by road but the heart of the Olympics along with the coastline is primitive wilderness.  It is here that the visitor is required to travel on foot, living with Mother Nature on her terms.

Influenced by mountains, glaciers, rivers and sea, Olympic National Park has diverse climate conditions. About twelve feet of rain falls each year on the west side rain forests. The eastern side of the park lies in a rain shadow, barely receiving 25 inches of annual rainfall.

From tiny flowers in alpine meadows to the sea stars in coastal tide pools, many species populate Olympic National Park. Geology, climate, isolation, history and sheer size come together to protect the ecosystems of this nearly one million-acre park.  Olympic National Park is indeed a living laboratory and a home for flora and fauna of all sizes.

If you are interested in helping to protect and preserve the park, please consider joining Olympic Park Associates, a non-profit organization formed to promote the values and resources of this national treasure.

More pictures of Olympic National Park can be seen in my Olympic National Park Featured Gallery.  Signed fine art prints from many of my photographs are available for purchase on Fine Art America.  For special offers and to follow my photographic journey please Join My Email List​.​