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August 3, 2016

Falling in love with Glacier National Park

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Before I made my way to Glacier National Park, the oooh’s and ahhh’s and expressed envy from those whom I told about my travels made it clear that I was in for a treat.

Since first setting foot in a national park in 2009, I have yet to find one I didn’t love. But my affection has always been for something different as it is already my experience that all the parks have something uniquely beautiful to offer. Glacier National Park is no exception. The hiking, over 700 miles of it, takes you through waterfalls and cliffs, lush forests and vast plains. The wildlife is everywhere, so it’s always great to be prepared. The diversity of the park, even if just from East to West is so great that it almost feels like you are in two different parks. No photograph can ever do it justice. This was an undiscovered park for me and I was lucky enough to meet some awesome people along the way to show me all the wonderful it had to offer.

Road trip thru Glacier National Park. GirlGoneTravel.com

With Glacier National Park, I have a total of 9 national parks visited on my list!

When in comes to falling in love with Glacier, I believe it must’ve been around the time my girlfriend Nicole and I, set out on a horseback ride with Swan Mountain Outfitters, through the trails of West Glacier’s forests and meadows. We were nervous about the 2-hour ride, but the serenity of the trails and the gorgeous views put us at ease fairly quickly. Plus, we were both paired with great horses and by the end of the first hour I was feeling really comfortable and relax riding Copenhagen, my buddy. Horseback riding was so much fun, complimented only by the Mexican food truck parked right outside the outfitters center when we exited!

Horseback riding in Glacier. GirlGoneTravel.com Horseback riding in Glacier. GirlGoneTravel.com Horseback riding in Glacier. GirlGoneTravel.com

I definitely felt a tug at my heart-strings when we went on a hike through the park with Dre, from Glacier Guides. We met Dre early in the morning and ignored the threat of rain to venture into the woods, past rumbling creeks and beautiful waterfalls. Dre is so full of knowledge and has tons of stories to share that it made the 4.5 mile hike seem like a breeze. We sat on a log near along avalanche lake and had our lunch, and I couldn’t wait to get back there with my kids. By the time we made our way back the crowds were just arriving, and we high-fived each other at having had the chance to enjoy the experience before then.

Hiking in Glacier. GirlGoneTravel.com

My girl, Nicole, looking sexy and badass.

Hiking in Glacier. GirlGoneTravel.com Hiking in Glacier. GirlGoneTravel.com

Watch out! These little critters will eat your lunch! Please, do not feed the animals in the park.

Hiking in Glacier. GirlGoneTravel.com Hiking in Glacier. GirlGoneTravel.com Hiking in Glacier. GirlGoneTravel.com Hiking in Glacier. GirlGoneTravel.com

Dre, doing her thing. Best guide ever.

Hiking in Glacier. GirlGoneTravel.com

After our hike, and despite the weather, we continued our day with Glacier Guides for a fun afternoon riding the rapids!

Glacier Guides experience. GirlGoneTravel.com

By the time we made our way to East Glacier towards the end of our road trip, the weather was full-on rainy and windy, but the thing about traveling with friends and people you love is that it doesn’t damper things at all. We still enjoyed driving through this side of the park, which is flatter and less lush than the West side, but still beautiful. And we even got to see a few big horn sheep!

West Glacier road trip. GirGoneTravel.com West Glacier road trip. GirGoneTravel.comWest Glacier road trip. GirGoneTravel.com West Glacier road trip. GirGoneTravel.com

West Glacier road trip. GirGoneTravel.com

We still had so much fun despite the wind and rain!

Where we stayed

We started our road trip with a stay in the historic Lake McDonald Lodge, built in 1913 and located right on the edge of Lake McDonald, the largest lake in Glacier National Park. It’s proximity to the Going-to-the-Sun road makes this a popular destination for hikers and bikers as well. The large wood burning fireplace in the main lobby, as well as the wonderful food at the in-house restaurant and their super cozy rooms made staying inside on a chilly cold day delightful. Summer is an incredibly busy time for them as they are a seasonal resort, but I think I prefer the cooler season for how cozy and non-crowded it is. I recommend taking a boat ride on Lake McDonald on a sunny day. The views are like no other.

Lake McDonald. Glacier National Park. GirlGoneTravel.com

Closer to Flathead Lake, we stayed in the more contemporary Meadow Lake Resort, which caters to mostly to those who enjoy the golfing in the summer and skiing in the winter. It’s about 19 miles or so outside of Glacier National Park, with easy access to all the nearby Columbia Falls has to offer. It has a wonderful in-house spa, bar, and restaurant as well.

To see more of my adventures to Glacier National Park, check out my video on YouTube! Thanks to Nicole of Glacier Country Tourism for going on this impromptu girlfriends road trip! We had such a blast! (Nicole, I would travel with you anywhere!).

In partnership with Expedia. To see more on how Expedia is showing the love to our national parks, visit #ExpediaLovesParks on Twitter and Instagram.

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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2 Comments
  • topochinesvino
    August 16, 2016

    Love this site! I found you on WordPress and have been reading your travel adventures. Great stuff! Check out our California wine country blog and follow us if you like what you see: topochinesvino.com

    Reply
    • caincarol
      topochinesvino
      August 17, 2016

      Thank you for stopping by! Will definitely check it out : )

      Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. As the oldest of all my many, many siblings, caring for littles started very early in my life. I have cared for, changed diapers for, fed, rocked to sleep, booboo-kissed, advised, reprimanded, worried for, been frustrated and given anxiety by more kids than I care to count. Because I started caring for children so young, I was convinced I wouldn’t have any of my own. But I had my three beautiful boys.

I miss the little babies they were, sometimes to the point where it aches, but I love seeing the men they are becoming. I am most grateful to them for the ways in which they continue to help me discover more about myself both as a mom and beyond motherhood. My identity was never fully in being a mom, I never wanted that for myself and they all have respected, accepted, and given me space for that. And I love them unconditionally for it. Because as they start to find their own paths in life, I am not left with an empty anything, instead I find myself with a life fulfilled. Of which being their mom has been the greatest adventure.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mother figures, caregivers, and humans who have provided for another in loving, maternal ways regardless of biology and traditional roles and societal expectations. ♥️ May you find fulfillment, love, and joy in the ways you have tried to give to others who needed it most.
The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS Route 17 (future I-86), mid-way between New York City and Binghamton. It is also the largest community of the Sullivan County Catskills. Like many rural downtowns across the U.S., Monticello has experienced some hardships. However, what I found especially lovely was how there is a vibrant BIPOC community, especially Latino, thriving with their small businesses and eateries keeping Downtown Monticello alive.

Imagine my delight to have seen several Dominican- Puerto Rican eateries serving and sounding like a slice of home. Last night’s treat was had at @nellys_latin_restaurant. 

Roasted pernil, grilled chicken, rice and peas, yuca, sweet plantains, ox tail, goat….the list goes on and on. Right here in Monticello, NY. I ate and washed it all down with a cool papaya shake, just like from the islands.

So, if driving through, be sure to check out downtown Monticello for some good Caribbean eats…and wait till I tell you about breakfast!!! Thanks @nickfingdavis for the find! 🇩🇴🇵🇷

#monticellony #catskills #goodeats @sullivancatskills
Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwine Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwinecountry.🌞

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These days you will find me walking in the rain, c These days you will find me walking in the rain, chasing waterfalls, and anything nature filled. Such is spring in the Finger Lakes 🌷

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I sometimes can’t believe how easily I fell in l I sometimes can’t believe how easily I fell in love with this life.

There was a time when my DREAM was to be one of those old NYC ladies living in a 4 story walk-up, and who people would often see pulling around her shopping cart from market to market. And while I long for a NYC that barely exists anymore, I do have to say I am still often surprised at how dramatically that dream has changed.

Now I dream of uninterrupted days spent tending to my garden and growing food and other pretty greenery I never knew I could. Or figuring out new recipes and sitting by the fire with my puppies on my lap.

I crave mornings made foggy by the adjacent lake, and early wake-ups by the sound of the passing horse and buggy on Sunday mornings.

Yeah. The world is big and there is so much I want to see still but I also love this place where it feels like nothing else matters, not even the mud on my hands and boots.

📸 Gardening bliss on a rainy day at @theflxcottage.
Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center to scout a photography location. The focus was work. But as we took the 3 mile hike to the overlook, through the mud, in the rain…and the sun, because spring, and as the birds sung, the woodpeckers pecked, and the deer strutted, I felt myself feel lighter, happier, and at ease. With just a walk, in this beautiful place. Alongside my beautiful partner.

If you call the Finger Lakes home, I hope you can also appreciate it and the gifts it offers, even when we least expect it. And if you need a reminder, just go outside.

#tanglewoodnaturecenter #fingerlakes

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