Day 12 Leaving Glacier to Go Home

We never thought the temperature in Glacier National Park would be so warm. After experiencing 27 degrees at Yellowstone's camp site, we knew we were not prepared for the expected "chill" in Glacier. Prior to leaving Great Fall, we stopped to buy some warm clothes from a second hand store. To our surprise, it was more than 50 degrees at our camp site at night. Steve saw the most beautiful moon-rise through the trees at the camp.

As a "must-do", Steve and I canoed and swam in Lake McDonald - the largest glacier lake in the park. The water was so clear you could see more than 10 feet deep. But it was cold.

We left the Glacier National Park after lunch, just as a huge (in LA standard) down-pour began. We were turning south to go home. Driving thru the National Forest is wonderful. We passed a state Bison range, though we didn't see any bison. We stopped at an historical town named Wallace. It was so-so.

It looks like a Hollywood set for a mining town western. We did like a couple of road signs in the center of the town.

Today is the first day we have had rain--figures, it is Spokane, Washington. Next stop, Mount Rainier National Park in the state of Washington.

Day 11, 12 Glacier National Park

Just when you think a National Park cannot be any more beautiful, you are wrong. Glacier is lovely. A woman had told Steve that going to Glacier was spying a tiny view of heaven, though heaven surely is more lovely than that, we do now understand why she made this parallel. WOW!

The "Road to the Sun" is a staggering feat of engineering. You literally drive along the side of a mountain for hours. When I tried to take pictures, I was frustrated. It is so big and grand and majestic and any other huge word you can think of, a picture really is just insulting. The word I think of is WORSHIP. These rocks point to a fantastic Creature. This place sings with the grandeur of GOD.

Montana, Great Falls

We did not have a service to attend this morning, but we were so grateful to see a sign for a bluegrass gospel sing. The Blucher family was singing and sharing their testimony. They were traveling for 21 days and were on day 17 on an "off" day. They decided to see if they could sing in the town's community center. The total population for White Sulphur Springs is 900. We met several fellow believers. What a blessing and the sunset was lovely on the drive to Great Falls, MT.


We missed Dad as we listened to the concert. This would have totally been something he would do and love. We got a CD and are debating wether to send it to him or not =0).

We love Montana. It is so beautiful. On the drive we saw 4 or 5 deer and one was a super racked buck.

Day 9 and 10, Yellow Stone

Wow, I scarcely know where to start here.

Wildlife - we sited 2 Moose, 2 coyote, one gray wolf, deer, heron, multitudes of bison, almost a black bears ear.

Hot Stuff- geysers, hot springs, fumeroles, mud volcano, paint pot, mud pots, pools, falls

Sites -Mountains, passes, valleys, forrests, rivers, creeks, streams, cliffs, butte, holes

Activities- hiking, biking, walking, boating, ranger chats, camping, swimming, birding

Day 8 - Grand Teton

Great view, great campground. We enjoyed the inspairing mountains of Tetons. From far up, they jumped out of the horizon to a height as much as 14,000 feet snow covered. By the way, Jackson Hole seemed like a leisure town booming with tourists. Things (such as fire wood and food) are relatively inexpensive given it is considered as a tourist trap. We did not stop there since we were concerned that we would not have a camp ground.

Must use bear safety food box or lock up all items in your car. But we did not see even a trace of bear.

We went for a gorgeous hike, around a pond and swan lake. It gave you different views of the same mountain. You have to really climb the mountain to enjoy the full view. It was recommended that you have a special premit with the Park Rangers.
We were warned that we would not get a campsite due to all the people competing for sites. However, we serve a great God and we had a lovely site, and cooked dinner over our lovely fire. We are improving our firebuilding skills. We are getting faster at putting up and tearing down our tiny tent, and Steve is rolling those sleeping bags tighter and tighter.

Day 6, Still Salt Lake City

The Circle of Life or Travel.... We are still in Salt Lake City.

Today we zipped around Salt Lake City. First we completely enjoyed our HOTEL room at the Hampton Inn. Then off we set to see the Kennecott Copper Mine. This is the largest open pit mine in the world. Check out these tires.

One tire will run you $18,000-20,000 each. This is a tire from the trucks that haul the rock that will be processed to look for iron, silver, gold and other usable minerals and metal. If you have ever been to Universal Studios, and watched the Terminator Show you will appreciate the 16 minute, award winning movie that this company shows. At U.S., a very annoying woman keeps saying, "SUPER" in a very insincere way. This is the feeling the movie evokes as well. Instead of spending a majority of time helping us understand the mining process this company uses, we instead hear alot of propaganda about why this company is good for the World instead of ruining the environment =0). Actually the amount of copper they produce daily is a bit mind boggling.

Notice the tiny white pickup truck on the right. Above on the left you can see the hauling truck.

All of that being said, the place is huge, and the process is really amazing. I wish you could see the size of these hauling trucks and the huge pit able to be seen from outer space.

This is the small scale condenser, where they add water and air to the dirt and waste to separate it out. Eventually they come out with 99.5% pure copper plates.

How about that Great Salt Lake? That is one body of water that I hope not to need to attend again. The sulphur-ish smell was powerful. But we did get the picture and checked it off the list.

We also we able to visit with Adam, Maureen, and Alex--our cousins. They live in a spacious town house, with an awesome view. Sky divers float randomly just above their home, leaping off a high cliff. The sunset was gorgeous. Alex showed us his baseball card that his dad made of him from 2006. Here is the box art that Alex gave Steve. He really likes abstract art his mom told us.Alex and I played Star Wars lazer sword fighting. He said I was not too bad. (Thank you, Keni. Must be all that Christmas wrapping paper roll fighting we used to do). Adam showed us his lovely photos, and also showed us his amazing collection of coins that he is beginning for the birth dates of Nixon men going back to 1660. He has three started. What a great idea. We also loved his gorgeous black and white photo of a car out in the desert.

Salt Lake City Day, Day 5

Wow, the trip over made me want to burst into song, Home On the Range. I did not expect the variety of terrain in Utah. I pictured it as pretty much desert like. However, it was rolling plains, sheep, corn fields, mountains, the clearest stream I have ever seen, forrest, valley, startlingly clear hurt-your-eyes blue sky, lava flow formation, rocks, cliffs, fluffy cotton ball clouds, road without end, curious lakes....a lovely drive.

When we arrived in SL we went to see the Mormon Temple.The gardens and landscape are fabulous at the temple square. We saw the location the Mormon Tabernacle Chior sing. By far the best aspect is the gardens. My God is so creative, and His color pallet is extreme. In His Mercy He even gave us flowers, so rich in variety to enjoy. How blessed are we to know our Great God, JAWEH. My eldest sister would love to see this. The colors are vibrant, the lay-out is lush, and the grass is so thick and green. Also there are lots of fountains and statuary. My attempt with pictures to not begin to express the colors, textures, scents and abundance of flowers.

I am thankful I was able to see such a beautiful display of God's Hand.