Glacier Adventure Begins The pictures in the slide show will grow as pictures are added. Click HERE to follow on map. Also If you click on the lower right corner of the slide show you can check out or download any of the pictures.
Day 1:
Sunday September 6th Getting off to a late start. After a brief stop at Costco for a Spokane we proceeded to have a uneventfull good drive to Mary’s. Celebrated Karen’s 48th birthday.
Day 2:MondayToday was tommy to do day at Mary's. Headed up to Daimond lake for our nights rest at Mary's cabin and a last good bye to Sue and Judy. Mary’s naibhrors at the lake before they headed back to Maui for the winter. Went into Newport for dinner only to find out that most places were closed due to it being Labor Day. We did manage to score on some Mexican food. It was either that or McD's. PS. Summer at the lake must be over. Not a sign of any WIFI to leach off :(
Day 3:Tuesday
Breaking base camp. woke up to some pretty major fog on the lake. There goes my morning photo shoot. Today we head out towards Glacier.
It’s now evening and we made it as far as Whitefish and are now bedded down for the evening. Had a GREAT drive. The weather has been perfect. And I once again have connectivity (WIFI) We did dinner at the Tue. Whitefish farmers market. Then drove up to Big Mountain to check out sunset. We were totally amazed with a housing development near the top of the mountain. The views were spectacular and the houses matched. Mostly multi million dollar log and rock homes. Tommorow we are planning on heading into Glacier park. Looks like it’s going to be another great day:)
Day 4:
Wednesday Into the Park. Made it into the park this morning and was happy to see that my old Natiional golden age pass works. (My favorite “FREE”) After checking out the visitors center it was on and upto Logan Pass around 6000ft, One beautiful drive. At the pass it was time to head out on our first hike to hidden lake about 2mi in. Some Pretty spectacular scenery. We passed a small group of mountin goats along the trail. They really did not pay any attention to us or the other ten or so gawkers checking them out. Shot lots of pictures, but won’t be able to post them til I get a better internet connection. We made it to the east side of the park and found our diggs, Then it was out to find some munchies. Found a place at Duck Lake. Very quaint but the burgers were great. All in all it was a very good worthwhile day.
Day 5:It’s Thursday morning and I am sitting by a big log fire 
at the East Glacier Lodge. Computer on my lap and hot coffee in hand. It’s 6am mounting time and still no sign of sunrise, but what the heck. This morning we are planning on heading to Many Glaciers. About 20mi north of here for some more hiking adventures. Then probably up into Canada to the Canadian portion of the park. Waterton. Even though it’s still dark out I stepped outside and the skies looked clear. Time to go fill my cup. Made it to Waterton around 10am after waiting for the boarder to open. 
Scored on a great place on the lake to spend the night then it was off to stretch the legs on a couple more hikes. We just missed a bear spotting on the trail. As some people walking 3 or 4 min behind us spotted one walking across the trail. Maybe next time. We did see a mom and cub running across the road the night before. Tomorrow we are planning on heading out early for Banff about 4 hrs north of here. Spend the night there and then our path is still up in the air. So far the weather has been nothing but perfect. And we have been sharing the pilot navigator duties. My only frustration is trying to stay connected to the outside world on our stops. Our cell phone has had no bars since we left Whitefish. No big deal but it would be fun to blog and check out stuff on the road. When I have made Internet contact I bandwidth is so slow I get a little frustrated. In fact I am typing this in the middle of the nigh and having a little problems using google maps due to the low bandwidth. The GREAT news is we are having a GREAT time. And are in no hurry to head west other than to enjoy that part of the journey. Still don’t know our route. I had better catch some Zzzzs
Day 6: Friday 
On to Banff “OOP’s” After heading out of the park we came to the conclusion that a 5hr drive north would not be that bad but then realised that another 13hrs of driving home from Banff would pushing it a little. So we decided to head west across Canada. The trip was filled with great views. WE headed up Kootenay lake to catch the free 1/2hr ferry ride across the lake. Very cool. Then on the other side of the lake we headed south ending up in Castlegar for the night. Which was fast approaching. After a Loooong shower we settled in for the night after 370mi of driving. Oh yes that’s tommy standing along side One BIG Dump Truck. “No Photoshop trickery” Ir was a real big truck!!
Day 7: Saturday It’s now morning in Castelgar and we are getting started. Now comes decisions decisions decisions “What route should we take, and where too” Maybe after a couple cups of coffee and breakfast the decision will be made. Probably we will stay somewhere in eastern Wash. Oh I hear the coffee pot burbling.
The morning had one hitch. I lost the GPS. Sort of ironic. After totally searching the hotel room and tracing my steps to the car. We finally gave up. It was gone. Then I took one last look thru my mini computer bag and even though it was not in sight I felt it in one of the hidden compartments. NOW we were on our way. It is funny how you start relying on that little gps. Especially after discovering our map libary was a mess as it was comprised of a selection of maps from both sides of the border. Unfortunately all in a differnt scale so that made it hard to follow. Next time I definitely will spend more time preparing maps which is hard when you really don't have any spafic destinations. Now underway we headed west along the canadian border trying to decide which crossing we shoud go for. We sort of had decided on Osoyoos and head down into the Republic area on the US side. Then we spotted a sign that said Spokane. Knowing that Daimond lake was between that sign and Spokane We stopped and gave mary a call who was at the lake. She said "Come on down" Hey 3hrs to a familiar place on some road we had never traveled. We did a quick turn around and headed south. Sure was nice to be back in familiar place where distances were in miles and gas was sold by the gallon. Arrived at the cabin around 1:15 to a beautiful sunny day on the lake. It was great to be able to sit back and just relax. Mary and Isabel headed into town around 5 we just veged out and enjoyed the evening.
Day 8:Sunday It's now morning and I am watching the sunrise over daimond lake sitting in my favorit recliner whith a hot cup of coffee and listening to the tick of the clock. Life is GOOD! It was a good idea heading back to the lake as I am feeling rested after a great nights sleep in a familiar place and 1300 mi of driving and memories of great sights and experiences behind us. As for today the plan "At this moment" is to head into Spokane with a load of stuff from the cabin as it is in the final processes of closing it down for the winter. There is no hurry. Anita is still sacked out and I am feeling rested as well as excited about our drive west wether it be up thru the north cascades or the same old route following I90 home. Either way I am up for it. Did a semi cabin shutdown and headed to Spokane. Where I am now posting. Next Stop????
Turns out I-90 Mary’s to home was the choice. I guess the homing pidgin instinct took over. When all was said and don we put 1,661 miles on the Rav4 with only one maintaince stop “a car-wash” and the usal windshield bug clean at each fill up.
Day 9:Monday September 14th Back Home. Great Adventure! Today will be filled with unpacking, car washing, and just general catching up. Or maybe not
