One day off. I had one day off in the middle of 8, 12-hour shifts and I was aching to try out my new hiking boots (and coat, and pants, and gloves…). Max knew if he was going to have any fun with me my first winter up in Montana/Canada, that he had better keep me warm. Several hundred dollars later I was ready to hit the trails.
It was off to Glacier National Park which happens to be, quite literally, in my new backyard. The previous week we had attempted a day of hiking which, after seeing the pouring rain and wind, turned into 3 hours of Max reading me my insurance booklet in the comfort of the backseat of my car. I don’t understand insurance, and wasn’t about to read through the hundred-page booklet to figure it out. So Max read it aloud while I made avocado/salami sandwiches that were meant for our hike. I’ll tell you one thing, insurance is still boring, but there’s not a more beautiful place to read about it than right on that glacial lake. And I did make 50 bucks after Max bet me I wouldn’t run the creek barefoot (making sure to kick up the freezing cold glacier water all over me in the process).
It was off to Glacier National Park which happens to be, quite literally, in my new backyard. The previous week we had attempted a day of hiking which, after seeing the pouring rain and wind, turned into 3 hours of Max reading me my insurance booklet in the comfort of the backseat of my car. I don’t understand insurance, and wasn’t about to read through the hundred-page booklet to figure it out. So Max read it aloud while I made avocado/salami sandwiches that were meant for our hike. I’ll tell you one thing, insurance is still boring, but there’s not a more beautiful place to read about it than right on that glacial lake. And I did make 50 bucks after Max bet me I wouldn’t run the creek barefoot (making sure to kick up the freezing cold glacier water all over me in the process).
You see, we were not expecting rain. And if you’ve ever hiked in the rain without rain gear (in 45 degree weather), I bet you’ve only done it once. I had my great big (very un-waterproof) down coat and max had a long sleeve running shirt and shorts; thus the 3 hour insurance lesson in the car. However, we weren’t about to the let the whole afternoon in the park pass by without at least stepping outside. So, we finally got up the courage to do a short hike up to Astor falls.
Great decision.
Great decision.
Theeeeeen up to the look-out. Not a great decision.
Despite the steep incline and the freezing rain soaking through my now 40 pound coat and poor Max’s lack of any coat, we had a great time and sang Disney songs the whole way to keep warm.
Wait. This blog is about my one day off. Right. Well on that blessed day off Max came bearing gifts of warmth and comfort and dryness. We weren’t about to make the same mistake twice. We donned all our gear and headed out to conquer those freezing cold mountains, which had just been blanketed in a fresh layer of snow.
The first few miles was cake (not literally, though that would have been nice too). It was flat and offered a beautiful view of the lake the whole time, and even a great big bull moose!
We enjoyed great conversation about the recent happenings in politics, down syndrome, my dad’s recent decision to give up sugar (following in the footsteps of Max’s papa), and our plans for the future.
We reached “No Name Lake” (which ironically enough, has a name), and took in the final view before things got really tricky. The last 2 miles we gained 2,000 feet in elevation and about a foot of snow.
Though my feet and core stayed perfectly toasty, my eye-balls started to freeze and I thought my nose was going to fall off (which Max promptly assured me, is impossible). After suffering a short bout with my new friend, exercise/elevation/cold-induced asthma, we made it to the ridge!
We enjoyed great conversation about the recent happenings in politics, down syndrome, my dad’s recent decision to give up sugar (following in the footsteps of Max’s papa), and our plans for the future.
We reached “No Name Lake” (which ironically enough, has a name), and took in the final view before things got really tricky. The last 2 miles we gained 2,000 feet in elevation and about a foot of snow.
Though my feet and core stayed perfectly toasty, my eye-balls started to freeze and I thought my nose was going to fall off (which Max promptly assured me, is impossible). After suffering a short bout with my new friend, exercise/elevation/cold-induced asthma, we made it to the ridge!
The wind was blowing about 50 miles an hour and I could barely open my eyes, but the view was magnificent. I hurried and placed a rock on top of the victory pile and then practically ran down to the trees for protection (Max let me borrow the poles-what a sweetie), while he tailed behind.
In the safety of the trees we shared a snack of perfect fall apples and warm tea. Then we trecked all the way back through the trees in the dark with aching legs and only teased bellies. But it felt so good to be outside, to be the only ones for miles and miles. Being in the park and on these mountains does something to me. My mind is calmer, my perspectives are clearer, and my ambitions and excitement for life are enhanced. I gain a renewed sense of determination that carries on into all aspects of my life. For a time I no longer care if I get yelled at by angry people at work, for I’ve seen a much broader world with broader challenges than waiting an hour to see the doctor. And let’s be honest, nothing beats these views.
