Glacier National Park

I’ve heard people call Montana “God’s Country,” and I can certainly see why. I have seen some of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever set eyes on over the past couple of days since we arrived. We’ve been to the west side of Glacier National Park twice now (yesterday and today), and it’s one of the most gorgeous places I’ve been during this RV trip.

I was a little nervous doing any walking through the woods, as “Bear Territory” signs are posted everywhere, and I have a huge fear of coming face to face with a Grizzly. Armed with bear spray, we did do a short walk or two, but we mostly stayed on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, hitting the stops along the route.

Glacier National Park’s mountains started forming 170 million years ago, and glacial action carved the U-shaped valleys, which collected the water and created the clear lakes. There were 150 glaciers in the park at one time, but only about 25 remain today. We learned this and a lot more on a boat tour we took on Lake McDonald. The largest lake in the park, McDonald is emerald-colored and a great place to take in some mesmerizing views. We took our tour via the historic DeSmet, an 87-year-old wooden boat and the flagship vessel that departs from Lake McDonald Lodge. The girls even got a chance to “steer” the boat.

The Lodge is also a gorgeous area. If we weren’t already camping in an RV down the road at a campground, this would definitely be the place to stay. It’s a historic lodge, built in 1913, and a few steps out back brings you right to the lake, where you can kayak, fish, or just sit and relax.