Day out to West Glacier National Park & Essex Montana

9th July 2012 - Day trip to Essex, Goat Lick, Apgar Village

Robie getting Sharon into Butter for our trip to Goat Lick.

The route to Goat Lick is dotted with many wonderfully interesting businesses, motels - this one had chalets reminiscent of Switzerland

The Flathead River-it originates from the NW part of the Rockies near Glacier Nat. Park and after a long journey empties itself into Clark Ford. This river is part of the Columbia drainage basin-the Columbia starts in British Columbia, Canada.

The boys having a giggle at Betty's expense - what do little boys think is real funny after burping....get my drift!

I swear this damn train followed us from Canada-if we thought the train toots were loud in Canada, we were sadly mistaken.  Their American counterparts love their long and numerous toots everytime they approach a town, normally starting at around 8pm.

Sharon looking very lovely and summery in Butter at Goat Lick.

The Flathead River along its journey to Clark Ford.

 

We spotted this rustic timber home in Essex, hidden away from the main road.

The historic Izaak Walton Hotel, built in 1939 - in years gone by, it housed the workers of the Union Pacific Railway.

One of the railcars on display.

 

This railcar or caboose has been refurbished to provide customers with all the luxury and comfort of a modern day hotel room. It sits just adjacent to the hotel.

We caught sight of 3 groups of rafters going down the Flathead River.

We followed them for a few miles to catch these wonderful scenes.

It was a gloriously warm day...bet the rafters were beet red when they finished!

This area also offers helicopter flights over West Glacier Nat. Park.

Tom and Robie waiting for the rafters to come around the bend of the Flathead.

At West Glacier to get some info for our tour for the following day.

Robie, Sharon and Betty doing the tourist thing...posing in front of the signage.

This information centre was actually Canadian on US soil!

Summer has brought out the best in beautiful blooming baskets

.

Saw quite a few Amish people at the West Glacier Village-thought they don't do the touristy thing.

A group of rafters just on their way to their exciting white water journey.

Tom, Robie and Sharon on their way to a Gift Shop...yeah!!!!

At Apgar Village...it was hot, hot, hot. Tom and Robie lining up for ice creams - I wanted to try the Huckleberry flavour but unfortunately it was not gluten free - rats!!

The southern end of Lake McDonald at Apgar Village-beautiful scenery, unfortunately quite hazy due to uv.

Saw this tree at Lake McDonald -thought it was rather unusual with the red tips on a Maple looking type leaf.

Now this place is worth a stop - the Montana Fur Trading Co.

It could almost be a museum with the wonderful display of bears, pelts, Indian jewellery. Unfortunately I did not find any jewellery to my liking.

There was a good selection of Indian artefacts-all for sale.

The store staff didn't seem to mind people browsing.

This was one of the beautiful paintings for sale at the shop - exquisite details!

Now those sheepskins you see hanging there are from....New Zealand...groan!!. 

 Come on Australia.....we have sheepskins  too!

Okay...Bear sprays. Well, as I've said before - the only bears we have seen todate were either stuffed, behind bars or set in concrete. You can go crazy buying stuff you don't need!