We are taking a rest day among the other RVs seeking refuge from the rain. Yesterday it rained from 11am until early this morning sometime after 6am highs in the low 50s. When we pulled in to Glacier Campground yesterday, soaking wet and chilled we were welcomed into this wonderful old lodge with a huge fireplace, beautifully handcrafted wooden chairs, a t.v. and walls full of books, games and VHS tapes. The room was filled with laughter coming from a group of kids playing chess on the floor. Luckily they still had tent sites available and we were instructed to head across the lawn and could camp anywhere on the lawn next to the playground. We found an awning that in one point in time looked as if they might of had picnic tables underneath it, but on this day there was a rotting boat underneath leaving just enough room for us to pitch our tent. We quickly set it up, threw in our gear and headed back to the warm lodge. Everything about the lodge seemed familiar. The crackling fire, me hanging my shoes, socks and jacket above and in front of it to dry. The kids voices fighting over the chess pieces, the smell, the decor of comfort clutter. It reminded me of camp-outs and holiday times spent with family. It was the immediate warmth that began to stir the memories and remind me that I was exactly where I needed to be. My yearning for stillness and kind company and the ability to sink into a cozy couch with the camp dog asleep next to me was fulfilled. I fell asleep to the sounds of a college basketball game playing on the t.v.
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Over the past few weeks I have had an internal conflict of whether to go “the going to the sun road” over the highest peak of Logan’s Pass that sits at 6600 feet or to take “Maria’s route” with passes around 5200 feet that sends us through East Glacier and through the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. I gave myself some ultimatums, like when we get to West Glacier, if my knee is still in bad shape, then Maria’s route will be the choice, because there will be no way I will be able to make the climb without compromising the following weeks. But now that we’re here and my knee seems to be doing better, I still am quite hesitant to do it. Matt and I have gone over different options and have talked about the pros and cons of each route. At this point, given the last two days in West Glacier, the high amounts of traffic, RV traffic especially and the lack of shoulders have given weight to our decision. There also is a real chance that I could freak out on the descent and ruin the trip for passengers in the line of cars behind me. To them, they would be witnessing a girl on her bike, gripping for dear life, while riding her brakes in the middle of the lane and loudly chanting some weird mantra, while only going 7 miles an hour. I figure this might not be the best representation for the biking community. Also, a local newspaper reported that May 2016 was the busiest month of May on Record for Glacier National Park according to government statistics. This was even before they opened ‘the sun road”. Overall, visitation is up 18% and continues to climb, which we witnessed yesterday, as we headed into the park, waiting in a car line of about 20 in the pouring rain with news that they were expecting a few inches of snow up on Logan’s pass. People are flocking to this place. For Matt and I, this figure means lots of people, too many vehicles, limited wildlife, and unsafe roads. Being one of the crown jewels of North America and being the National Park Service’s Centennial, we are going to opt for taking Maria’s Route. However, we do hope to get up to Logan’s pass, perhaps by one of the iconic Red Tour buses. These buses started taking visitors up the Sun Road back in 1936. Out of the original fleet of 35 that was given to Glacier National Park, 33 are still in use. These model 706’s, for three months, carry thousands of visitors over the roller coaster routes of the National Park and then rest the other six months near Columbia Falls. These beautiful shiny vessels equipped with the wear and tear of endless climbs mirror the weathered strength I feel within. Perhaps after 3000 more miles we too will look like those antique Red Tour buses, red and shiny with the glow and dust of distance and experience. (Stats and info cited from FlatheadBeacon.com)
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Also, today I taught a group of kids how to play rummy, palace and garbage at the campsite. I got schooled on all fronts. I dedicate my obsession for playing cards and games to my family, friends and to all the kids/coworkers at Ocean Palms Elementary who tolerated my need to fill the afternoon with endless rounds of card and board games.
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