Summer Vacation 2013: Day Eight: East Glacier National Park!!!

 We had such a busy day! We headed back to Glacier National Park, to visit the East side; a couple days ago, we hit up the West side. Along the way to Glacier, we took a drive up to Bowman Lake (which is part of the national park). It was a beautiful, and less crowded lake. Getting there, we also passed through many meadows with a view. You see Montana all the way. I think of the movies "Legends of the Fall," or "A River Runs Through It." Beautiful. When we went up to Bowman Lake, we could see mountain peaks in Canada, as we were a bit closer to the border, at a mere 20 miles away. There is a historic, 1912, little town called, PoleBridge...literally in the middle of no where...but it was a stopping spot, for travelers going/coming from Canada, to Glacier. The Mercantile store was completed in 1914. Continuing on our journey...we went to the Izaak Walton Hotel; built by the Great Northern Railway, in 1939. This is an awesome place! Jeff said he took his Mom and Dad there, back when he lived in Montana...so it was cool for him to return. We walked up to the bridge, that goes over the main line...and with our luck...a BNSF train was coming! So we stood RIGHT above the engine and freight cars...that was another cool experience. It's the little things people. The little things. Not only would it be neat to stay in that historic hotel, but they also offer lodging in a caboose, and a other train cars! Another return trip is in order, I do believe! NOW, one of my favorite things that we did today, was see the East Glacier Lodge! OH MAN. What an insanely beautiful lodge, and the grounds are just as spectacular! The lodge is celebrating it's 100 years...1913-2013...so perfect timing on our part! The Amtrak station is directly across the street from the lodge, and a beautiful walkway takes you all the way up to the lodge's entrance. There are also tee-pees on the front lawn...so of course we had to get in that! We had our dinner this evening in the dining room, of the lodge; and let me say, Jeff and I had the prime-rib, and it was so good! What a great dinner, in a great room, looking at a great view! After our East Glacier Lodge stop; we went up to Two Medicine (still in the park), and checked out that lake. Yet another beautiful, clear, crisp lake. They seem to be everywhere up here in Northwest Montana, especially in Glacier Park. Stunning.