The Going-to-the-Sun Road, which goes from one side of the park to the other, is being redone in a multi-year project. Parts of it were seriously worn and falling off the side of the mountain.
This means that several parts of the road are one-lane, and require waits of up to 20 minutes. To help alleviate the congestion, the park has optional free buses. So one day we took one over to the "other side" - the West side of the park.
We were looking for wildlife along the way, and found the first one in the St. Mary Visitor Center parking lot where we got on the bus. An osprey couple has 3 babies in a nest on a platform. This is one of the babies.
One of the prettiest views right along the road is Wild Goose Island in Saint Mary Lake.
Jackson Glacier is visible from the road without any need for a hike. It's mostly under snow at this time of the year, but you can see some ice in the center of the picture.
Whoa! A bighorn sheep right by the road. This is real "drive-by shooting."
Once we got to the other side of the park, we got off at Lake McDonald Lodge and got a shot of Lake McDonald.
And we stopped for some pizza. There were a lot of little ground squirrels outside the pizza place and they would do just about anything for some pizza crust.
Uh-oh... Tummy ache...
Then back on the bus where we saw our best wildlife of the day - a cute little black bear eating berries. Can you see him? His two ears are the most visible at to top right.
While on the East side of Glacier, we stayed in St. Mary Campground. Nice big spaces, but no hookups.
While there, we saw more wildlife - lots of these...
The Going-to-the-Sun Road, which goes from one side of the park to the other, is being redone in a multi-year project. Parts of it were seriously worn and falling off the side of the mountain.
This means that several parts of the road are one-lane, and require waits of up to 20 minutes. To help alleviate the congestion, the park has optional free buses. So one day we took one over to the "other side" - the West side of the park.
We were looking for wildlife along the way, and found the first one in the St. Mary Visitor Center parking lot where we got on the bus. An osprey couple has 3 babies in a nest on a platform. This is one of the babies.
One of the prettiest views right along the road is Wild Goose Island in Saint Mary Lake.
Jackson Glacier is visible from the road without any need for a hike. It's mostly under snow at this time of the year, but you can see some ice in the center of the picture.
Whoa! A bighorn sheep right by the road. This is real "drive-by shooting."
Once we got to the other side of the park, we got off at Lake McDonald Lodge and got a shot of Lake McDonald.
And we stopped for some pizza. There were a lot of little ground squirrels outside the pizza place and they would do just about anything for some pizza crust.
Uh-oh... Tummy ache...
Then back on the bus where we saw our best wildlife of the day - a cute little black bear eating berries. Can you see him? His two ears are the most visible at to top right.
While on the East side of Glacier, we stayed in St. Mary Campground. Nice big spaces, but no hookups.
While there, we saw more wildlife - lots of these...
Great pictures! I would sure be nervous operating that heavy equipment in that picture.
ReplyDeleteComplaining about NO HOOK-UPS?? Who are you and what have you done with Diana?
ReplyDeleteWasn't complaining, Sally, just letting everyone know.
ReplyDeleteWow those pictures are breathtaking and I cant imagine ever being able to see that myself in person, maybe one day who knows, I didnt see the bear but I believe you if you say there is one in there LOL thanks so much for sharing the pictures I hope you are having a good week :o)
ReplyDeleteAnd the bear's name was Waldo. I did see Waldo, but maybe you could have coaxed him out with some fish.
ReplyDeleteThat drive along the Going to the Sun was pretty hairy as I recall..I do think Mom had her eyes closed on a few of those curves! HA! LOVE THE photos once again the Osprey and the ground squirrel, what an expression he has on his cute little face--
ReplyDeleteThe campground looks Great!!!
your photography is beautiful. enjoy your blog so much
ReplyDelete