Time in the park

We have been in the park for the last several days. So much to see and wonderful hikes. We moved to the other side of the park and stayed in Two Medicine, where we took a boat ride and a hike to Twin Falls. The boys, especially Adam has been fishing and they rented a canoe one night to see how they would do. He has a pretty big fish tale to tell about the one he had on the line! We have now moved to St Mary and will be headed out for another boat ride and hiking in the Many Glaciers area. 

Hiking down the Numa Lookout trail ~ It is so green and georgous here.



We took a Red Jammer ride up the Going to the Sun road. It was fun, and we thought Gpa Gary would love this!

Angry Woman Falls in the background

 

 

Still skiing at Logan Pass. The boys got a little time in the snow.

Adam has been fishing his heart out.

Boys on trail of the cedars

We did a hike on the Avalanche trail. It was one of the prettiest hikes we have ever done. Starts out beside an amazing water fall, through a rainforest and then onto this amazing glacier carved bowl full of waterfalls. Absolutely wonderful! 

Mark has been riding like crazy and rode to the top of Logan Pass yesterday. He almost came head to head with a Ram though, so we will see how much more he does.

A few sheep in our camp.

Twin Falls

 

Sundrift Grotto

A few more big horns at Logan. We drove up the other side from St Mary

Hiking around Lake McDonald

First day in the park and we decided to do a hike around Lake McDonalds West side. They lake is amazingly clear and the boys skipped rocks like crazy.





Adam is doing the Jr Rangers program again and this was so reminiscent of Alaska  ~ the only thing missing was Cade VanMeter!

The tiniest strawberry

The boys started practicing wood burning for the walking stick Adam is making

 

I put all of the flower photos at the end ~ so here they are...

This is a photo of the beargrass. It is a form of lily and it is everywhere. Very neat to see. Reminds Mark and I of fireworks ~ it is tall and looks like rockets

more of the light yellow lilies that are everywhere

Beargrass

Just a little more time in Helena and on to the Park ~

We packed up, got the camper ready to go, and then decided that one more night at Margot and Toms would be fun. Tom brought in the mules and the boys then headed out on the 4 wheelers to check out the ranch.  We had the best night visiting and enjoying our hosts company. We sure wish we lived a little closer!   

 It was a beautiful drive up from Helena, through Missoula, Kalispell and Columbia Falls. Flathead Lake was amazing to see and the Mountains of course. We arrived at the park in time for some swimming and bike rides. Adam is getting to be pretty daring on his bike and now keeps telling me he is going to "clean this trail" I better call my brother to see if I need to be worried  :)

 

 

This is a photo of what I think are little lilies. They are all over the edges of the campground and are so pretty ~

Caverns, Helena and Sapphires

We started Wednesday out with an tour of Lewis and Clark Caverns which are absolutely the most amazing caves around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 We moved on to Helena on Thursday and have been spending a lot of time with family. It was Marks Grandma Jeannines 83rd Birthday on Friday and we were lucky enough to get to spend it with her.

 

 

Today we sapphire mined and were pretty successful. Adam is loving it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the most fun places to visit in the world and we couldn't have had a better time than with Tom and Margot ~ I am sure that is how everyone feels when they are here and then we end the visit with this view ~

 

Gold Mining and Ghost towns

The "train" tour of the ghost town and out to the gold mining

 

Learning to Gold Pan ~ We found one flake and one piece so tiny we couldn't capture it! Good thing the Gold Panning guide told us because it was hard to pick out.

Searching for "Rubies" at Ruby reservoir

The days finds ~ mostly garnets and a tiny flake of gold. Adam is in heaven!