Into Glacier

As far as overnight, impromptu, camping trips go --  this one was probably the worse one ever. How can one have an unpleasant time when surrounded by the natural beauty that is Glacier National Park? Somehow it is possible. Most of the trip just wasn't fun. It was stressful and unpleasant. And I fully blame Mason. Yes, Mason our dog was the reason. He was so terrible in the car, barked the entire time. I literally though Daddy might tie him to a tree and leave him, or worse! We both vowed that if Mason has to come, we are not going. As he gets older his anxiety gets so bad. It is not fun for all involved. So, sorry old buddy, this was your last trip. You clearly cannot control your emotions!

Don't let his cute face fool you, he is a nightmare sometimes (Mason that is!).

I think we were trying to squeeze in another fun family outing before the craziness of our new fall schedule slams us and what we should have done is just stayed home! Oh, well. The kids had fun (when we weren't in the car!). Addi said, "I am thankful we got to go to Glacier again even though we didn't see any animals. It is so pretty there." Thank you Addi-girl. Your simple, honest perspectives keep us in line sometimes!

Chase with Daddy.

We all napped after setting up camp and after that the kids were entertained for a long time with chasing bubbles under the aspen grove.

After our spaghetti dinner in camp we took a peaceful (Mason-free) walk into St. Mary Lake. It was just beautiful with the sun setting over the mountain. The wildflowers that lined the trail were unbelievable.  Both kids fell completely into the lake, so that was very funny and entertaining for us!

Addison and I took a walk together to the cafe and got huckleberry cheesecake and apple pie to share at the campfire. We played with a flashlight and tried staying awake to watch the meteor shower, but we were just too exhausted.

Landon is so proud to wear his flannel shirt like Daddy's.
He pats his chest and says, "Dada, dada."

We broke camp after breakfast, parked the camper at the visitor center and drove into Glacier. There was a lot of traffic, long waits with road work on Going to the Sun Road and yes, Mason barked the whole time, but Glacier is still, simply, breathtaking, and for that I happy we were there. We had a picnic lunch near the top of Logan pass surrounded by wildflowers and waterfalls. It is easy to take it all for granted when you are only a couple hours away from this majestic place. When you call this heavenly place "home" it is easy to not see what is really there in front of you ~ a good reminder anyway. Yes, I am the first to admit imperfection and we had a bad attitude this trip!!!

To end this trip, our camper got a flat tire on the way home and I watched in terror as Daddy changed the tire practically in the highway. But we made it home, safe and sound and we were so grateful to pull into our drive-way, put away the camp stuff and do everything in our power to avoid Mason!