Post #2 - Glacier National Park

If you haven't seen it, you can't believe it.  Glacier is Magnificent!

Of the 125 glaciers that existed in the park in 1950, only 25 remain today.  Projections are that the glaciers will be entirely gone by 2030.  That's only 17 years from now!

Waterfalls run wildly from the melting glaciers.  One wall had 12 waterfalls flowing down it.

The rivers are raging from the melt.

But they end in placid lakes.

We enjoyed this easy hike through an old forest area - green and lush. These are Cedar trees, some 3 to 5 ft in diameter.

The ice flow from the winter snows is so intense in the winter that it covers the roads.  The park service has to clear the roads before they can open Logan Pass in the spring.  June 21 is usually the first day it is open.  For reference, that is a motorcycle passing through what remains of the snow.

And animals!  Yes, we've seen  bear.

We saw another today - he ambled slowly out of a grassy area, strolled within a few feet of an unsuspecting couple, and then went into a picnic area parking lot.  The ranger (she was carrying TWO guns) immediately called in assistance to help bait or dart the guy.  Seems he's gotten too friendly.  She said that earlier he had crept up on a sleeping camper and pulled the guy's pillow out from under his head - the camper slept.  Then he swiped the campers cap - the camper slept.  When the bear went nose to nose?  The camper awoke! Time for relocation!

On a less threatening note - there are hoary marmots in the area. About 2 feet long, they look like a cross of wolverine and ground hog.  Home is among the rocks.

Of course, there are Mountain Goats.

Think these majestic creatures are on on top of the world?  Nope, cruising through a parking lot at Logan's Pass Visitor Center, admittedly 6,650 ft elevation, checking for food scraps.  They are shedding their winter coat; look a bit ragged.

Mother Nature has her ways, though.  There are, I promise you, 5 Mountain Goats in this picture of the side of a hill.  Can you find them?  Don't confuse the rocks for goats.

This mommy coyote was running along the road when we saw her. She ignored all of the cars on the road and totted with determination.  Back to the babies, maybe.

Last, this sweet bunny, tucked in the grasses a couple of feet off of a hiking trail.

Last for this blog, I want to thank the Park Service for changing many of the viewing turn-offs to make them handicapped accessible.  I got a real education in accessibility last year when I had my cast and knee scooter.

That's a long 2 days worth.  I'll do a short "flowers only" blog sometime soon.  Too much for now!