Tuesday September 15, Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park, MT

Oh boy, Ian has really given his heel some grief, didn’t sleep very well and I had visions of having to drive Ruakiwi. I doctored him with some anti inflammatories and pain killers and although he could hardly put any weight on it, he managed to get behind the wheel again….breathed a sigh of relief! It is still not the best but seems to have improved a bit, so here’s hoping that it continues.

We drove back to the main road, then took the Road to the Sun through Mary Lake. Sadly we couldn’t go right over the pass as vehicles over 21 feet are prohibited, but we drove up as far as we could. Once again the scenery is just breathtaking, real picture postcard stuff especially as there are some autumn colours starting. The weather is just stunning, blue skies with the odd puff of cloud and temperatures in the high 20’s, but without the humidity which is just perfect.

After lunching in the park headed south around the bottom of Glacier so that we could get to the West Entrance of the park. The land outside the park is all Black Feet Indian Reservation and we drove through the town of Browning, once again completely saddened by the conditions and standard of living. There seems to be no pride in where they live, and the quite modern homes are just completely trashed.

Really enjoyed the drive through the west side of the park, the autumn colours seem to be showing so much more on this side, the aspens were really glowing yellow in the afternoon sun and the pools in the river were turquoise…stuff that takes your breathe away!

The camp this evening is on Lake McDonald, set in the pine trees, but only a short walk to the lake. Even managed a paddle and surprised how warm it was, although didn’t take the togs out!