Glacier National Park Trip Day #4 part 1: Lake Macdonald Scenic Boat Tour
We packed our lunches and were ready early so we headed out to the national park and arrived just before 7; we actually had a Going to the Sun Road pass included with our scenic boat tour reservation but we didn't need it since we're such early risers. The sunrise was beautiful!
We did have time to take a photo with the Glacier park sign though and since another couple was doing the same thing we took turns taking photos for each other.
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| There are a handful of private homes along the lake that are within park bounds; they were here before it was deemed a national park. The latest house sold for just over $13 million!! |
You can see evidence of the latest wildfires across from the lodge.
It was beautiful and the weather was perfect! We were done our tour by 10 am. We headed out for a beautiful hike after. I'll be back with that wrap up on Monday.
Days 1 & 2: Arriving & Grinnell Glacier hike
Day 3: Conrad Mansion & Hungry Horse Dam
Day 4 part 2: Avalanche Lake/ Trail of Cedars Hike
Day 5: North Fork & Bowman Lake
Day 6 & 7: St Mary's & Virginia Falls & Coming home
Linking up with: Spread the Kindness,
Those views are just spectacular!!
ReplyDeleteThey really were!
DeleteJust so beautiful Joanne- thank you for recapping for us!
ReplyDeleteAw, you're welcome! It's my pleasure.
DeleteThat lake is so smooth! Looks like a great day.
ReplyDeleteIt was a really calm day on the lake; we were thrilled too because the day before there were white caps out there with the wind.
DeleteWere early risers too and it's wonderful because you always beat the crowds!
ReplyDeleteThe time change was working in our favor as well; we were up most days around 4:30 and since we wanted to get into the parks before 7 most days we just didn't bother trying to reset our internal clocks.
DeleteI just can't imagine how pretty it is to see that in person, and it's almost breathtaking to see the pictures. Thanks so much for sharing. I hope that you have a lovely weekend Joanne!
ReplyDeleteAw, you're welcome! Your name came up a time or two-- I caught my husband looking at some Sandal's resort pages and told him I had a great connection if he was thinking of planning a trip.
DeleteFantastic photos!!
ReplyDeleteMcDonald lodge really is beautiful!
Thank you! The lodge really is lovely.
DeleteWhat a perfect way to start a day in Glacier National Park. Learning about the history of the lake and the "smoketember" nickname is a great reminder of how much nature changes. It's also wild to think about those private homes worth millions right inside the park,
ReplyDeleteRight?! I can't imagine paying that much for what is mostly used as a summer retreat.
DeleteI love that you took a boat tour. I always feel like when you've learned more about the place. It feels more like a educational experience.
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Jodie
I think so too!
DeleteScenic boat tour couldn't be a better name for that! How beautiful and interesting too.
ReplyDeleteIt really was very beautiful and informative.
DeleteSuch a beautiful lake. I want a house there...ha, ha! But not for $13M.
ReplyDeleteNo?! Why not? LOL.
DeleteThis post brought back wonderful memories! Was the haze from wildfire smoke in the area?
ReplyDeleteThere were wildfire in other parts of Montana and Canada but not anywhere close by.
DeleteWhat a beautiful trip.
ReplyDeletersrue.blogspot.com
It really was quite lovely.
DeleteThis makes me miss our hiking vacations! What beautiful views!
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Thew views all week were just incredible.
DeleteThese photos are just gorgeous, Joanne! I cannot believe how beautiful the area is!
ReplyDeletehttps://marshainthemiddle.com/
It really is so beautiful!
DeleteWow, that’s incredible! Living right on the lake within national park boundaries must be such a rare privilege—and with views like that, I can definitely see why the price tag is so high.
ReplyDeletePlus how neat to be able to live within the national park? I can only assume they're seasonal houses though as I don't think the park roads are plowed in winter (but I could be wrong as I didn't think to ask!).
DeleteBeautiful pictures, Joanne. It looks like a lovely boat tour.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWhat breathtaking pics! Glacier is on my bucket list.. Thank you for the preview!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! It was such a lovey trip!
DeleteJoanne,
ReplyDeleteAs a National Park lover and outdoor enthusiast, I can tell you this post......sigh.... I LOVE IT!!! Thank you soooo much for sharing. I cannot wait to see this park in person one day! I am so glad you had the experience.
Aw, you're welcome!
DeleteWhat beautiful pictures you got! And I love seeing y'all all bundled up! I can't wait to be able to wear cozy fleeces and sweaters and scarves again!
ReplyDeleteWe were only like that in the mornings; by mid afternoon it was often in the mid-80's and even in the 90's sometimes!
DeleteIt looks otherworldly in some places! Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt really does! I think that is what I like about these national parks. They really are quite unique compared to the rest of the states.
DeleteWe took this boat ride and it was a fun one! I remember being told early September was the perfect time to come because it was after schools resumed and before fire season and then the first snow which may come in October.
ReplyDeleteThat's why we planned it that way!
DeleteSo many beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteSo beautiful. I’ve wanted to go there.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThis was on my bucket list of places to visit! Sadly it is impossible now but I can still enjoy your pics and dream :)
ReplyDeleteIt was beautiful! I'm hoping to make it to most of the national parks.... eventually.
DeleteBeautiful views and photos, Joanne. The water looks so calm, perfect for a boat tour. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It was the perfect weather for a boat ride!
DeleteYou today share so many lovely photos, but one of them really caught my eye — the soft colors over the mountains and water feel so peaceful. I enjoyed reading about your early start and the boat tour too; sounds like such a perfect morning!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing
Thank you so much! It really was such a lovely and relaxing morning.
DeleteWow! I am so amazed by these pictures. They are just beautiful. The lake looks like glass - so smooth!
ReplyDeleteBoat tours are such a neat way to explore an area.
It was so nice and smooth that day; we were so relieved because earlier in the week it was not at all like that.
DeleteMy hubby and I are, too, early risers and we so love all we see in the morning hours of the day! Again, your photos are spectacular! I'm really enjoying your recaps of this beautiful area of our country!
ReplyDeleteIt's the best way to beat the crowds!
DeleteBeautiful photos. I love the lodge!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWhat a great way to see the park. Thanks for taking us along!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteYou took such stunning photos! It looked so peaceful!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It really was quite peaceful and so calm.
DeleteThese pictures turned out absolutely breathtaking. How wonderful that you got a spot up at the front of the boat too!
ReplyDeleteWe were so happy to get the bow; it really made for perfect 180 degree views.
DeleteWow! What a beautiful place and gorgeous photos. I've been to Lake MacDonald once, but didn't get to go out on a boat (and missed the Lodge, too! --so pretty). Looks like such a serene place. Thanks for sharing this post with all of us at the Will Blog for Comments #69 linkup. Hope to see you next week at #70, too, with more posts (old or new)!
ReplyDeleteI will definitely be back next week to link up!
DeleteWow. Stunning. That is on my list of places to see...my hubby and I are heading to Colorado this week and I'm hoping to see some amazing fall colors
ReplyDeleteOh I hope you do too!
DeleteYour photos are just stunning. I enjoy virtually traveling with you guys.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing with Sweet Tea & friend's this month Joanne.
Aw, thank you!
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