Glacier National Park: Where Mountains Meet the Sky

 

This summer I was fortunate enough to take a tour with Southwest Adventures Tours to explore 7 days in the beautiful Glacier National Park in Montana.  It was absolutely breathtaking!  We as Americans are fortunate enough to live in a country where there are 63 National Parks.  Each park is unique and has its own identity.  So many people from around the world come to the United States to visit our National Monuments and Parks.  In my opinion, it is always an experience and a cherished memory to visit these magnificent places and to learn the history and formation of the parks. 

Day 1

We arrived in Missoula, Montana, and met up with the rest of the group for a group dinner. Sarah, our tour guide, was excellent! She provided us with all the information, details, and expectations of what we would experience throughout the tour. She was very passionate about the environment and extremely knowledgeable about Glacier National Park, the surrounding areas, and the local wildlife.

Day 2

In the morning, we went to the National Bison Range, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation where we were able to walk around the reservation and drove through the 18,000 acres of open land to observe wildlife.  We saw mostly Bison.  Bison reminded of me Buffalo.  They are very large animals that can run fast and jump.  The males become very territorial when it is matting season.  Here is a video link narrated by Sarah about Bison.

During our drive around the reservation, there as a lone Bison.  He was growling at the vehicle and stomping his feet like he was going to charge at the vehicle.  The Bison most likely saw his reflection on the vehicle and thought it was another male and was getting territorial.  Sarah quickly drove away.  Here is a video of that encounter.

Afterwards, we drove along a scenic route to Flathead Lake, which is on the way to Bigfork, Montana.  Bigfork is a small town with a lot of charm and history. It is the home to art galleries and  restaurants and sits on the lake. 

When our time in Bigfork was over, we continued traveling east toward Glacier National Park, where we explored Two Medicine Lake and Apikuni Falls.

First, Sarah educated the group on how to use bear spray and explained how important it was to carry it with us while hiking. There are grizzly bears and other wildlife throughout the park, so it is important to be aware of your surroundings and maintain a safe distance from any wild animals.

Along the South Shore Trail at Two Medicine Lake, we saw a beautiful woodpecker and a giant moose! The moose was an incredible sight to see! It was drinking water from the lake and later lying down in the sand along the shoreline.  

I have never seen a moose before, and I was very excited about seeing one!  Here is a link to a video of the moose in action. 

We continued on the trail but never made it to the waterfalls.  However, the beautiful scenery and seeing the moose was the highlight of the day!

Day 3

We went to the east side of Glacier National Park and took a boat ride on Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine. I had to make boat reservations in advance to secure my spot.   The boat ride took us to the end of Lake Josephine where we had to hike about one mile to get to Grinnell Lake.  It was such a peaceful and scenic hike.  

Once we arrived at Grinnell Lake, it was absolutely gorgeous! There are no words or pictures that can truly describe the beauty of this lake. The water was a beautiful turquoise color because of the glacier’s ice melt, and if you look closely at the picture above, you will notice a waterfall.

After spending about 20 minutes at the lake, we began our hike back to the Many Glacier Hotel. The hike was about 3.5 miles, but the breathtaking scenery made it all worthwhile.

St. Mary Boat Tour from Glacier Boat Company

Day 4

Today, we went on a boat tour of the east side of Saint Mary Lake, where we passed Goose Island and saw snow and glaciers covering the surrounding mountains. The mountains were massive and magnificent at the same time. Seeing these breathtaking landscapes makes you realize just how small we really are on this planet. 

Afterwards, we traveled on the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road from St. Mary's to Lake McDonald, which is on the west side of the park.    This is a 52 mile drive that goes around the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, famous for its majestic snow-capped mountains, deep valleys, and shimmering lakes.  

The best part about this tour from the Red Bus Tours was that we were in a Jammer vehicle.  The vehicle was used in the 1940s and the company had the fleet of Jammers refurbished by Ford.  It was unique because it had a soft canvas roof that can be rolled back, so we can stand up and take in the scenery at different times during the drive.  It was beautiful.  It took us about 3 hours to get from one side of the park to the other side.  Along the way, we saw a grizzly bear and cubs, evidence of an avalanche, wildlife,  went to the overlook at Logan Pass, saw many waterfalls and went through a tunnel.  It was truly amazing!

This picture shows the tunnel window and our group. The people I met on this tour were truly amazing. We all got along so well and had so much fun together!

                                    Avalanche Lake Trail

Day 5

Being on the west side of the park, we were able to hike the Trail of the Cedars and the Avalanche Lake Trail. The Trail of the Cedars was an easy hike with mostly flat terrain and boardwalks. It reminded me of the Pinelands Nature Reserve in New Jersey. There are cedar trees in New Jersey, but they are not nearly as tall as the ones I saw along this trail.

The Trail of the Cedars connects to the Avalanche Lake Trail, which is a more strenuous hike with an elevation gain of about 741 feet.

During most of the hike, we saw the creek which had an abundant amount of water flowing downstream.  It took us about 1.5 hours to get to the lake, and it did not disappoint.  There was smoke and haze in the air from the wildfires in California, but it still was breathtakingly beautiful.

                                    Both pictures are from Avalanche Lake

On the way back, we stopped at Lake McDonald so I could see the colorful rocks that I had seen so many people post about. In my opinion, this was overrated. To me, they looked like riverbed rocks that I have in my backyard in New Jersey.

Anyway, I did take a picture of the rocks in the lake, but the colors were not as vibrant as they appeared in the pictures I had seen online. In my opinion, it just wasn’t worth the stop.

Afterwards, we drove to a small town called Polebridge, population around 50 people, located in the middle of nowhere.  

The historic Polebridge Mercantile, established in 1914, sold a variety of items, including fresh-baked goods, jewelry, postcards, canned goods, coffee, tea, and so much more. 

We ate at the Northern Lights Saloon, where I had a beer and a delicious garden bowl. The food was outstanding and incredibly fresh. The town has a campsite, a stage for entertainment, a food truck, cottages to rent, a few cottages where people live year-round, a children’s playground, a fruit and vegetable stand, and a fire pit. Just the basics—and they like it that way.

Day 6

On this day, the group was able to choose between rafting on a calm part of Flathead Lake or going on the whitewater rapids. Jim and I decided to stay on the calmer part of the lake, take in the scenery, and enjoy the ride down the river. We did not see any wildlife on the lake, but the water was so clear that we could see all the way to the bottom.

After rafting, we drove back to Missoula and had a group farewell dinner. Everyone I met on this tour was awesome! Everyone was so helpful, friendly, and nice. Plus, everyone got along so well! We drank huckleberry margaritas, enjoyed different types of food, and, of course, tried the huckleberry ice cream! We had such a great time!

Our tour guide, Sarah, is such a sweet and kind person—a true gem!

In Conclusion

I would definitely recommend the Glacier National Park tour with Southwest Adventures Tours. This was my second time using them, and they are professional, stay on schedule, pay close attention to details and concerns, and, most of all, make the experience lots of fun.

If you're thinking about planning a cruise, vacation, a natural park adventure—or want to go on this tour, —I'd love to help. Feel free to contact me, and let's make your travel dreams come true!  A wise man once said, "work to live, don't live to work!"

My San Francisco Adventure: From the Golden Gate Bridge to Big Sur

San Francisco is a vibrant and unforgettable city filled with iconic landmarks, breathtaking views, charming neighborhoods, and endless opportunities for adventure. From the winding streets of Lombard Street and the colorful sights of Chinatown and North Beach, (Little Italy), to the majestic Golden Gate Bridge and the beautiful waterfront of Fisherman's Wharf, every corner of the city offers something new to discover including self driving cars offered by Waymo.  

Living in a technological and AI driven society and on the East Coast, I never saw a self driving car.  Well, being near Silicon Valley and Mountain View California, where many tech companies reside, I was not surprised to see a Waymo robotaxi, a self driving car.  It totally blew my mind!  

Waymo partnered with Jaguar who makes the vehicles.  There is an app to download to request a ride, similar to Uber and Lyft.  When entering the vehicle, you must sit in the back seat, and fasten your seat belt or the vehicle will not move.  I was told that if there is a person sitting in the front seat, it most likely is a software engineer testing an update or troubleshooting.  Safe to say, I did not try it, but it was amazing to see.

Day 1

Upon arriving, I went to Fisherman’s Wharf to walk around the pier and have breakfast. I stumbled upon the San Francisco Bay Area National Parks, where they had a replica of Alcatraz along with information about the island. It was very interesting! I decided not to take the tour of Alcatraz because I wanted to visit Muir Woods instead. Pictured above is Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay. The water is cold, and the current is very fast, making it difficult for prisoners to escape.    

On the first day, I took a half-day tour called the Amazing Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour. The tour stopped at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which offers beautiful views overlooking the bay after crossing the bridge. It was absolutely beautiful!

Afterward, I went to Muir Woods National Monument to hike and see the Coast Redwood trees. The Coast Redwoods thrive in this area because of the moisture from the fog, heavy winter rains, and moderate year-round temperatures. They are the tallest trees in the world, and the pictures simply do not do them justice.

Afterward, we took the curvy road out of Muir Woods National Monument and headed into Sausalito. This small coastal town had so much character, and it was beautiful. I walked around, grabbed a bite to eat at Napa Valley Burger Co., and then got back on the tour bus to return to the hotel.  I stayed at the Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf.  

Review:

• I really enjoyed this tour and seeing the Coast Redwood Trees was amazing!  I would recommend it, but next time, I would skip Sausalito and go on an Alcatraz tour instead.   The tour Alcatraz with Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour is a full day tour.

• The Hotel Riu Plaza Hotel was in a great location and I would recommend it.  It was clean and close to Fisherman's Wharf.  However, it did not have a restaurant open for dinner, instead they only had grab and go food, which I am not a fan of.  

Day 2

The next day, I went on a full-day, 15-hour tour of Yosemite National Park and the Giant Sequoias. This tour was excellent, and I would highly recommend it. Be prepared for a long day! Bring plenty of snacks and wear comfortable hiking boots! If you love national parks as much as I do, this is a must-see!

It was a perfect day to visit Yosemite National Park, and it did not disappoint! Seeing El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Bridalveil Fall was spectacular!

El Capitan is the massive rock in the front left side and Half Dome is in the back right side of the picture.  The rock with the point.

Upon arriving at the park, we stopped at a bridge to take in this view of Half Dome in the background. From where I was standing, Half Dome was about 7 miles away.  

Below is another picture with a creek in front of Half Dome taken from a bridge.

Fun Fact:  Half Dome is a granite rock which rises 8,846 feet above sea level.  The elevation gain is 4,800 feet from the Yosemite Valley floor.

Next, I hiked to Lower Yosemite Fall, which is 320 feet high. Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in the park and one of the tallest in North America. Luckily, there was still a steady flow of water during my visit. As the weather changes and temperatures drop, the water flow will eventually decrease as the water begins to freeze.

Yosemite Falls is separated into three sections: Upper Fall, which is 1,430 feet; Middle Cascades, which are 675 feet; and Lower Fall, which is 320 feet. The picture above shows both the Upper and Lower Falls.

Afterwards, I hiked through a meadow to Superintendents Bridge to a small chapel.  The views were so beautiful and because this area of the park was less crowded it was much more peaceful. 

Next, our tour guide Brian Wunderlich drove us to another meadow nearer to El Capitan.  He setup telescopes for us to look through to see if we can spot any climbers.  There were not any climbers on El Capitan, but he did find a backpack hanging on the rock.

Our last hike in the park was the Tuolumne Grove Trail, which takes you through a trail to see the giant sequoia trees in Yosemite. There are not many sequoia trees in this area. If you want to see more of them, you must visit Sequoia National Park.

This hike took us down a trail where we saw a few living sequoia trees. The picture on the left is a young sequoia that is about 500 years old. We continued walking down the trail and came across a hollowed-out sequoia tree and another one that had fallen down. These trees are massive—not only are they incredibly tall, but they are also very wide. Again, the pictures do not do them justice. The trail was about 2.7 miles round trip, and it was a steep climb back up, but I am so glad I hiked it, and I would definitely recommend it.

Review:

I loved every minute of this tour! Brian Wunderlich from Best Bay Area Tours was very knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly. On the way to the park, which was about 3 to 3.5 hours from San Francisco, he shared his personal photos and showed an informative movie about the park for everyone to watch during the drive. He shared so much information, and it was great!

Wear hiking boots, bring snacks, and don't forget sunscreen! I would highly recommend this tour!!!

Day 3

My last full day in California included a full-day tour of Big Sur, Monterey, and Carmel. This tour included visits to Lovers Point, Bird Rock, Pebble Beach Golf Course, Carmel, and Big Sur. The Pacific Coast Highway runs through these areas, and the views were absolutely breathtaking.

Lovers Point, is in the coastal town of Pacific Grove.  It was a small town that included a waterfront park and beach.  It was beautiful there.  The picture above is of the beach. The boulders all around this area reminded me of Bermuda.  No one was swimming, just a lot of tourists exploring the area.

Next, we stopped at Bird Rock, which was a few minutes south of Lovers Point. This area was unique because there was so much wildlife. We saw pelicans, seagulls, cormorants, and seals swimming, sunbathing, and barking. It was such an active area, and it was amazing to see all of the wildlife up close.

Just a bit farther south, we stopped at the Lone Cypress, which is located along the Pacific Coast Highway in Pebble Beach. This is the tree pictured on the left, standing at the top of a granite boulder. The tree is believed to have been planted around 1769 by Spanish settlers. However, due to the wind and salt spray from the ocean, the base of the tree has been eroding. Cables are used to help keep it standing upright.

Next up was Pebble Beach Golf Links, which is known for its prestigious 18th hole overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The people on our tour were able to walk around the lodge and get close to the 18th hole, but we had to remain behind a wooden fence and be quiet out of respect for the golfers. It was a foggy morning, as shown in the pictures above, but the view was still beautiful. I was told that it costs a member $150,000 to play a round of golf!!!

Afterward, we walked around the town of Carmel. Again, it was a beautiful small town with lots of shopping, restaurants, churches, and parks.

Our last stop was Big Sur. It was a beautiful area with stunning views, and the architecture of the bridge was impressive. It was foggy at first, but after a few minutes, the fog cleared, and the scenery was gorgeous. The view of the bridge, the cliffs, the flowers and greenery, and the waves crashing along the shoreline were absolutely priceless!

Day 4

My last day in San Francisco, I visited Lombard Street. It is famous for being a crooked street! It is a one-block section featuring eight sharp turns on brick pavement surrounded by beautiful gardens. It is also a residential neighborhood where homeowners can park in their driveways or pull into their garages. Apparently, it became even more famous after appearing in many movies.

Overall Thoughts

In conclusion, I wanted to make the most of my time in San Francisco, so I decided to book a few tours through Viator. Here is the link to the tours on my list. I didn't have to worry about driving or navigating directions. I was with a small group of people on each tour, and I felt safe and comfortable throughout my trip.

I am grateful that I was able to travel to California and see so many beautiful places. Thank you for reading my travel journal!

If you're thinking about planning a cruise—or any type of vacation—I'd love to help. Feel free to contact me, and let's make your travel dreams come true!  A wise man once said, "work to live, don't live to work!"

I    

The Norwegian Jewel, Bermuda and Charleson - a Perfect Combination

 

When school is out for the summer, that's when I have time to travel. Last year, I took a cruise on the Norwegian Getaway to Bermuda, and I absolutely loved it. So this year, I decided to go back.

My boyfriend and I took a 7-day round-trip cruise on the Norwegian Jewel from Philadelphia to Bermuda and Charleston, South Carolina. The itinerary included an overnight stay in Bermuda, but honestly, it wasn't enough time. I had our itinerary planned in advance, and I'm happy to say we were able to do everything on our list. Here's what we did.

Bermuda 

Day 1 

We purchased a two-day public transportation pass, which included unlimited ferry and bus rides throughout the island. You can purchase it at the Visitor Information Center at the Royal Naval Dockyard.

Keep in mind that Norwegian Cruise Line offers a complimentary ferry between the Royal Naval Dockyard and St. George, but we decided to buy the transportation pass anyway so we could also use the buses.

From the Naval Dockyard, located at the western tip of Bermuda, we took the public ferry to St. George on the northeastern end of the island. The ferry ride took about 40 minutes.

Crystal Caves

Once we arrived in St. George, we took Bus #10 to Crystal and Fantasy Caves, which is about a 15-20 minute bus ride. We were able to do the guided tour of the Crystal Caves and it did not disappoint. 

The caves were absolutely beautiful and truly a sight to see. As we descended into the cave, we immediately noticed the impressive stalactites hanging from the ceiling and stalagmites growing upward from the cave floor. Over time, they eventually meet to form columns.  Stalactites and stalagmites take hundreds of years to grow, making this natural wonder even more incredible.  Plus, it takes approximately three to four weeks for rainwater to seep into the cave. The water you see in the photos is actually ocean water.

I highly recommend visiting the caves for yourself. It's a wonderful activity for visitors of all ages.

Note: The pathway leading down into the cave is steep and can be wet. I highly recommend wearing sneakers with good traction. I would not recommend this tour for anyone who has difficulty walking or struggles with balance.

Swizzle Inn

After our tour, we walked across the street to the Swizzle Inn Pub & Restaurant, Bermuda's oldest pub and the home of the island's national drink, the Rum Swizzle, which was created in the early 1900s. We went inside to look around, but it was crowded, and we weren't interested in eating there, so we decided to head back to St. George for lunch instead.

Wahoo's Bistro and Patio

We ate at Wahoo's Bistro & Patio, where we enjoyed the grilled mahi-mahi fish tacos and mahi-mahi nuggets. Both were absolutely delicious, and I highly recommend them.

Clearwater Beach

                                St. David's Lighthouse from Clearwater Beach

  

Next, we visited Clearwater Beach on St. David's Island in southeastern Bermuda. It was simply beautiful. The beach offers Sunjammers Beach Bar, restrooms, showers, a playground, and rentals for lounge chairs, umbrellas, stand-up paddleboards, and kayaks. It's also within walking distance of Cooper's Island Nature Reserve.

We didn't hike through the reserve because we weren't dressed appropriately, but we were able to explore part of the area along one of the clear walking paths.

Again, the pictures don't do it justice. The water was crystal clear and a stunning shade of turquoise and it had a rocky shoreline.  I definitely recommend wearing or bringing sneakers, especially if you plan to hike the trails.

Note: This area has a lot of wild brush and cacti. We didn't want to risk hiking without long pants and long sleeves. If you plan to explore Cooper's Island Nature Reserve, I recommend bringing appropriate hiking clothes. You can always change at the beach showers before heading over.   

Another thing to keep in mind is that this area isn't heavily serviced by public buses. Buses only arrive about once an hour. We actually missed ours while returning to St. George, so I would recommend taking a taxi to and from this area if your schedule is tight. 

Fortunately, Bermudians are incredibly friendly and welcoming. While waiting at the bus stop, we met Mr. Thomas Smith, a Bermudian whose family is from New Jersey.  As it turns out, he's a behavior specialist at a middle school, so we had a lot in common.  It really is a small world!

He had been attending a family reunion nearby and kindly offered to drive us to the ferry terminal, about 15 minutes away. He perfectly represented Bermudian hospitality. I only wish we had taken a photo together, but we did connect on Instagram.

Day 2

The following day, we stayed near the Royal Naval Dockyard since the ship was departing Bermuda that afternoon. We needed to be back onboard by 2:30 p.m., so we explored the Dockyard, visited the Clocktower Mall, and walked over to Seaglass Beach.  There's no need to take a bus or taxi because it's only a short walk, especially since the beach entrance has been relocated.

Seaglass Beach

Seaglass is everywhere along this beach. Although the area has a rugged appearance, once you stop and listen to the waves, you can actually hear the sea glass gently rattling along the shoreline. It's a unique experience.

Final Thoughts on Bermuda

Bermuda is a beautiful island filled with friendly and helpful people. There's truly something for everyone.

I recommend planning your time carefully because, although Bermuda is only about 21 square miles, traveling between attractions can take longer than you might expect.

Travel Tip: Consider your transportation options before arriving. Whether you choose taxis, buses, ferries, or rent a scooter (remember, Bermudians drive on the left side of the road), knowing what you want to see ahead of time will help you make the best decision. Looking back, I probably would have purchased only a one-day transportation pass and relied on taxis a little more.

I know I'll be visiting this beautiful island again. Until next time!

Charleston, South Carolina

The next stop on our itinerary was Charleston, South Carolina. Our ship was in port from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

It was my first visit, and I immediately fell in love with this charming, history-filled city. One of the first buildings you see after disembarking is the impressive United States Custom House.

From there, we walked to Waterfront Park to see the famous Pineapple Fountain. The pineapple has long been a symbol of Southern hospitality, representing warmth, welcome, and community. Installed in 1990, the fountain celebrates the restoration of Charleston's waterfront and commemorates the city's resilience following Hurricane Hugo.

As we continued exploring, we admired the cobblestone streets, Rainbow Row, historic homes, and unique local shops. Many of the homes displayed Carolopolis Award plaques, presented by the Preservation Society of Charleston to recognize outstanding historic preservation.

Although the city was beautiful, it was extremely hot. After walking around for about two hours, we decided to return to the ship.

This sailing marked Norwegian Cruise Line's final stop at Charleston on this itinerary. The cruise terminal will be relocating about 1.5 miles away, and at the time of our sailing, cruises departing from Philadelphia were scheduled to sail to Canada instead. It remains uncertain whether Norwegian will return to Charleston in the future.

Overall Thoughts

Overall, this was a wonderful vacation. I truly enjoyed every destination we visited and would happily return to each of them.

If you're thinking about planning a cruise—or any type of vacation—I'd love to help. Feel free to contact me, and let's make your travel dreams come true!  A wise man once said, "work to live, don't live to work!"