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Glacier National Park Vacation

I’ve been a little out of touch because our Internet coverage has been almost nonexistent. I am in the wilds of Montana but I’m so used to connectivity this has been tough. Perhaps it’s a good thing since it forces unplugging…unless you’re trying to write blog posts:)

Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life trying on cowboy hatsThe first thing we did upon arriving in Montana is hit a clothing store. You’ve heard the expression, “when in Rome…”. My daughter insisted we buy ourselves some cowboy hats which was a fun learning experience. Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life in MontanaThere’s a real art to choosing the best hat but I never mastered it so after an hour, I decided on one that was comfy and on sale:) I’m positive no one mistook me for a local during this trip but I had a lot of fun wearing mine.Jennifer Connolly of A well Styled Life glamping under canvas

We camped at Under Canvas just outside the West Gate. I’ll be honest and admit the highway noise and train sounds were rough to deal with! No one mentioned how loud it would be and we were unprepared. I suppose the packet of fresh earplugs and bug wipes on our tent table should have been a clue 🙂bear spray at Glacier national Park

We spent our second day in West Glacier, hiking around Lake McDonald. There are warning signs about bears everywhere so we all got bear spray for safely.

As we traipsed through the woods I was initially afraid we would see a bear, then gradually got disappointed that we didn’t see any! Glacier National Park is home to lots of wild animals including Black and Grizzly Bears.

The temps dip down to the 40’s at night, but during the day it reaches the 90’s. After our very dusty hike, we headed into Apgar Village for lunch and to rent Kayaks. It was great fun but sadly kayaking ended with a burial at sea for someone’s brand new cell phone! There’s always something:)Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life kayaking on Lake McDonald

Dinner in town was amazing that night and I found my new addiction…fried pickles! Who knew?

This vacation is so much richer because we’re sharing it with our adult children! I would never try half the things we are if it was just my husband and me.

Are you adventurous?

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

 

 

28 Comments

  1. This is a late entry, but just saw it. You were about 80 miles north of us. We winter in SoCal, then spring, summer, fall in MT. It can be a little bit of a pain but we love both locations at those times of the year. All of our grandkids are in SoCal, which keeps pulling us back, along with the mild winter weather.

  2. We saw 19 bears on our travels this summer… 18 along the roadsides and one wandering through our campground at Banff, Alberta! Fortunately, we weren’t close enough to need spray.

  3. I like your hat! It may be a “Montana” hat, but it could easily pass the test in Texas.

  4. My brother was in Glacier earlier this year. He did not see a bear. But a bear spent half an hour circling around his tent one night at about 2 am. Just going round and round, pushing against the sides of the tent.

    At one point, the RV in the campsite opposite turned on its lights, and he heard a voice ask, “Is that a bear?” and then they turned off the lights. All the while he was lying there wondering if he dared reach up for the bear spray.

    Then the bear stopped circling the tent, but he wasn’t sure it was gone, so he waited half an hour, and then ran for his car, where he spent the rest of the night.

    Be grateful you didn’t have a close encounter with a bear!

    (Dear Bro is an experienced camper/hiker. He did not have food in his tent; it was all in the car.)

    1. That is scary!!! I was hoping to see one from the car…in fact we kept car keys at the ready in case one came around the tent at night!

  5. Hi Jennifer,
    Glad that you are enjoying your trip. I went on a hiking trip in Glacier National Park last year with the Roads Scholar group and they provided very knowledgeable guide – I went with a friend and we had a great time.

    BTW, I had bought bear spray to take with me, but you can’t take it on airplanes, at least not in Canada. I was glad that I had checked beforehand.

    I really enjoy your posts, thank you! Chris

    1. Thank you Chris!! We are driving our bear spray back to California. It’s an amazing place for sure. Sounds like you had a fabulous trip too.

  6. We will miss you at knitting today Jennifer! Looks like you are having a fabulous time at one of our favorite National Parks. A tip from a pretty experienced RVer – never ravel without earplugs…ask me how I know! Another tip – when in an RV park with hookups, never park next to someone with an “outside entertainment center” on their RV. Again – ask me how I know…
    Barb
    P.S. You and your daughter wear the cowboy hats well!

  7. Annie Sykes says:

    Been with your Blog about a month and love it! I have just returned from visiting my son and family (he married a lovely American girl) who live in Seattle – on Bainbridge Island. I am in the UK! The first week there we did a fantastic trip to Glacier National Park, the east side. We went by train overnight from Seattle to East Glacier, a long long journey but worth the experience. Just the most wonderful place and I was really put through the paces too with a lot of hiking and climbing including right up to the top at Logan’s Pass. Quite proud of myself as I was 70 this year! I can’t believe I am actually saying that, it can’t be possible! Keep up the wonderful blogs and you always look so lovely. Wish I could buy some of the clothes here. Alas there was no time for a trip over the Puget Sound to Nordstrom. Best wishes. Annie
    ps. We did see a bear!

    1. Lucky you Annie!! It sounds like a fabulous trip. I love train trips! Maybe next time. Thanks for being here xx

      1. Debbie Z. says:

        Annie, my husband and I rode the train to East Glacier this summer, too! Did you stay in the wonderful timbered lodge there? I loved it. And Jennifer, you and your daughter look wonderful in the cowboy hats. But then, you look good in any hat. So glad you are getting to experience the beauty of Montana.

      2. Yes we did, it was brilliant! We were there from 11th August for three nights. Just an awesome and beautiful place such magnificent scenery.

  8. Maggie Hinson says:

    I love the thought of bear spray!! It just made me laugh out loud! It looks like y’all are having such a great time. Good for you. I love spending time with my grown kids too. It is such a blessing. Enjoy your trip and your hat is adorable

    1. Thanks Maggie:) We’re bringing the spray home with us to keep in our little RV. Who knows what wild life we may encounter while traveling? We are having an amazing time!!

  9. Looks like you are having so much fun. I am not adventurous, but rarely regret it when my family pushes me to be.
    So glad you have this time with your kids. Be safe from those bears!!

    1. It’s a priceless time with them. I feel so blessed they can join us on my birthday celebrations. Xx

  10. Beautiful pictures! I bet you are making amazing memories!

  11. I lost my cell phone to a kayak incident this summer too! At least we’re out there having adventures, right? What a pretty daughter — takes after her mother!

    1. It’s wasn’t tragic but really a shame and very happy to be having fun! Sorry you had that costly experience too! Thanks Beth. She’s a delight!!

  12. Love the hat, Jennifer. Looks like a fabulous vacation. We canoe and camp where there are bears and always carry “bear guard” spray, hang our food in a bag high up in a tree, and make sure that all food scraps etc etc are in the fire or cleaned away. Bears are NOT something we want to see!

    1. They do sound scary! I’d be thrilled to spot one from the safety of our car:) You’re brave Sue.

  13. Wow! Looks like fun. I’m the same way with my adult children. Dove off a 30 ft. rock cliff into freezing cold water last summer! Invigorating to say the least. I really enjoy your blog because it’s mixed with fun and fashion and you keep the posts short.I’m working on my own decorating blog to be launched this fall. Have a wonderful trip!

    1. Wow, I’m not sure my kids could have encouraged me to do that Gina! Good for you!!!

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