July 14th: Back in the USA and Glacier National Park

I got up at 5AM and had my tent packed up and was on the road by 5:20AM. The night before, in Jasper, it being such a tourist town, I had slept in the back of my car, and very poorly. So last night I was planning on a motel. I ended up in the little town of Cardston, about 20 miles from the US border. The first motel I saw ended up being closed. Then I saw a sign for a B and B, but on the way I passed a cute camp ground and ended up there. So I was at the border at 5:40AM, and didn't know that borders actually have operating hours (the borders from Washington state to Canada are open 24 hours a day). so a read another chapter in my book on the current political situation of Turkey (studying for next year's global studies class), and was back in the USA by 7:05AM

Northwestern Montana

Near the entrance to Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park

These photos are from a road through Glacier called "Going to the Sun Road."

This was a spectacular three hour drive through the park - as beautiful as anything I saw in the national parks in Canada.

A week ago, when I checked the road conditions, much of this road was closed due to snow. It must have just opened, for they were doing a lot of road work, with only one lane open and a lot of delays.

Near the pass at the top, which is also on the Continental Divide.

Over the pass, and on to the western side of the road

This is where I lost my Swiss army knife. I stopped here for lunch, and must have just left it where I was sitting. It made me very sad - not just because it was an old friend, having gone around the world with me a number of times, but also because it was a gift from my parents.

When I got to a big enough town, I located a sporting goods sore, and bought myself another Swiss Army Knife. That made me feel better.

After leaving Glacier National park, I headed south through Montana. Much of it looks like this photo - beautiful rolling, green hills. I have been avoiding the big freeways, choosing instead to wind my way through Montana on the small roads. I am now in Big Sky, a small town near the northwest entrance to Yellowstone National Park.