SHAKE DOWN CRUISE TO LAKE MC DONALD

I am very excited. Kinsey is starting to make preparations for our upcoming trip to the Heart of Everything That Is aka the Black hills of South Dakota. Kinsey read this book over the winter and it got her all worked up about the area. She wrote about it on her blog: Finding Red Cloud & The Heart of Everything That Is.

Yesterday she de-winterized our girl Clementine and began systems checks.

Our Clementine patiently waiting to be rescued from storage.

It has sort of become our spring time ritual to make a run up to Lake McDonald, in Glacier National Park, to see how Clem is feeling. Happy to report she was as frisky as ever. Clem has a little Mercedes diesel engine and it runs like a top even towing Shadow.

It was an awesomely gorgeous day and not surprisingly people were already enjoying the park. At this tinme of year you can just drive in as the park isn't officially open. They have opened Going to the Sun Road to hikers and bikers so many were there for that.

Surrounded by snow capped mountains Lake McDonald is always a site to see. In the photo below some folks are enjoying the sun along with the beauty.

Lake McDonald Glacier National Park

Of course, even gorgeous scenery cannot help but be enhanced by the presence of moi. It's not my fault I think I'm beautiful. Everyone tells me so even with my funny summer hair cut.

Molly Montana at Glacier National Park

There seems to be a lot less snow around than last year. For comparison check out the photos from April 20, 2014. If I remember correctly they didn't get Going to the Sun Road open 'til way late last year.

Kinsey is always amazed and delighted by the lake's clear water. In the photo below it's hard to believe the stones you see are underwater.

Crystal clear water at Lake McDonald Glacier National Park

Other people were out on the lake doing a little kayaking.

Kayaking Lake McDonald Glacier National Park

I had to wait around for like hours whilst Kinsey tinkered around with Clementine. From her tinkering she determined the stove was working as was the refrigerator. Us girls can do without a lot but when it comes to our grub things have got to be right. The house batteries were working as agreed but a check showed they needed their water topped off. So, far things are looking good!

After Kinsey finished fooling around we took off on a walk along the lake. At the campground just before you hit Going to the Sun Road we met the nicest young people. A brother and sister from, would you believe, South Dakota! Well, you can imagine that was grounds for a good deal of talking and sharing of information. We now actually have a contact in Rapid City, their mom Pete who is a travel agent and knows everything about the area. I don't know how Kinsey does it but this sort of thing happens all the time. People just come into our lives just at the right times. But, I help. People are always wanting to meet me so Kinsey gets to meet them too. I am a very effective goodwill ambassador if I do say so myself.

Shea & Tanner our new friends from South Dakota

So, it was a great dry run. After we got home Kinsey drained out all the anti-freeze, treated the pooper and we are looking good to go. The last thing that needs to be checked is the water heater but I'm betting it's working too.

Ciao for now,
Molly Montana

©Kinsey Barnard

Running Eagle Falls - Two Medicine - Rising Wolf - Glacier NP

Today, June 1, 2014, we headed over to Two Medicine. Kinsey likes to tell the story of the last time she traveled 49 to Two Medicine. The wind blew so hard it nearly blew Shadow (Ford Focus) right off the road. No joke. I can tell you for sure it's a narrow winding road with very steep drop offs. A road you'd want to be careful with on a calm day.

Kinsey always likes to check out Two Medicine and Running Eagle Falls. Running Eagle Falls is a beautiful waterfall and the story of Running Eagle, aka Brown Weasel, equally as beautiful. Water was just gushing over the falls.

RUNNING EAGLE FALLS

Of course I had to take Kinsey's word for it because we were back inside the park. My kind are not allowed in US National Parks. This is one of the few places Kinsey visits inside the park. She much prefers staying on the reservation where I am welcome and the trails are filled with spirits that make us both joyful. The US Government just never tires of telling people what they can and cannot do.

RUNNING EAGLE FALLS JUNE 2014

After paying homage to the falls we headed up to Two Medicine. Everything was closed up there too. So far no campground on the east side has been open.

TWO MEDICINE CAMPGROUND

Even though everything was closed the view of Two Medicine Lake and Sinopah Mountain were worth the drive. You can't ever discount the privilege of seeing, with your own eyes,beauty like this.

TWO MEDICINE LAKE AND SINOPAH MOUNTAIN

It turned out, the most beautiful site we were to see, this day, was yet to come. We headed back down the mountain driving along Lower Two Medicine Lake to 49. At 49 we turned north. About a half mile or so up the road Kinsey slammed on the brakes and swerved across the south bound lane to the siding. She grabbed her camera and jumped out of the car. She does this all the time. Frequently, scaring the heck out of me. I seldom have any idea what all the hub bub is about. Today what lit her fire was this image of Rising Wolf Mountain.

RISING WOLF MOUNTAIN

Pretty darned nice image if I do say so. Sometimes I have to say nice things because you know who is in control of the vending machine. Not this time. RISING WOLF MOUNTAIN

In my last post I said this was the last in the series but I got all mixed up. The last one comes next and it's a doosie.

Be sure to check out Kinsey's new blog The Liberated Photographer. Her essay on labels has been particularly popular. 

Ciao for now!
MOLLY MONTANA

©Kinsey Barnard