Wild life and wild flowers in Glacier

The approach to Glacier is so beautiful.  It gives a nice tease about what is to come.  We stopped to load  up on coffee at one of the many roadside espresso stands.  The young lady working there told us she loves New York.  We love Montana.

Into the park the scenery becomes very dramatic quickly.

Even when there is evidence of a forest fire the park is beautiful.

We drove along sheer cliff drop offs.  When I was sitting on the cliff side I had major vertigo.  There were mountain goats along the way and then again at Logan Pass.

None of the wildlife is shy apparently.

We took a brief hike across a snowfield.  The trails were still closed because of all the snow.  There were beautiful lilies poking out of the newly exposed meadows.

Erythronium grandiflorum (glacier lily)

We saw a marmot who seemed to be basking in the sun.

We enjoyed the snow even though we couldn't hike because of it.  We thought of the heat wave we are missing and all of you who are suffering.  We really aren't gloating.  Promise.

We saw some big horn sheep.

There were amazing wildflowers, but we can't collect in the park.

Astragalus (one of 1000 western species)

Campanula rotundifolia (harebell)

Castilleja (Indian paintbrush)

Dodecatheon (Shooting star)

We were only in the park for about six hours but felt like we saw a lot.  The mountains glowed in the sunset as we drove on to find a motel.  And, yes, we had better luck than last night.  We are all tucked in.