Le & Matt's visit continued ....
*Day 3
*Another early day for Sandy, as she was was subbing again at school. After the prior day's excitement and driving, we took an easier day of visiting Lake McDonald Lodge. It was not open, but we could wander around and peer in the windows.
Looking back across the lake, the Apgar Mountain range is still snow covered. The lake is roughly 3300 feet elevation, so that snow level is around 4000 feet.
Next to (or part of) the lodge is the Creekside Reading Room. As prep for opening the lodge, the staff were inside cleaning and allowed us to take a peek inside. When the lodge is open, this is a delightful location on inclement weather days to spend the day relaxing in front of a fire with a book. It is open to the public. I could very much envision Le, another former coworker Tam, and Sandy enjoying a day there doing absolutely nothing but reading!
That afternoon, between some light rainfall, we took a hike out to Rocky Point.
*Day 4
*Sandy was not working and was able to join us for a hike. We hiked in to Sacred Dancing Cascades on McDonald Creek.
When Going-To-The-Sun road was originally built, there were still lengthier overnight guided horseback trips in the park. There is a horse tunnel under the road on both the east and west sides of the park. Very, very few visitors know about these, as there are not very visible from the road.
After hiking through the tunnel, heading to Sacred Dancing Cascades.
In order to try and add to the wildlife spotting collection, we walked over to Oxbow Lookout, with it's view of Apgar Mtn, but alas no beavers were out swimming that day.
No visit is complete without seeing "the old bridge" (Belton Bridge). It is where I am blessed with stunning views when I go on my regular run.
Le & Matt were quite silly (and cute!!)
Where the Fork did we go next? To a delicious meal at the Three Forks Grille -- named after the South, North, and Middle forks of the Flathead River. The entrees were so good and so filling that we were unable to partake of anything from their very tempting dessert menu. Huckleberry Creme Brulee will require another visit!!!
Dinner was the final item on the agenda, as Le & Matt were on the 6am flight the next morning. But the sun was still out, and on a whim we thought we'd see if there was some alpenglow to see from Apgar. We were treated to quite a show!
Since it was around sunset, which is when beavers sometimes come out, we headed over to the beaver house on McDonald Creek. No beavers, but 15 minutes of a fantastic sunset in the park finished off our day.
The parting silly photo at the end.
Simply wow! What a wonderful time was had by all. Le & Matt, thank you so much for your visit. We thoroughly enjoyed it, and look forward to the next time.
