Day 1

     Today we arose bright- make that dark- and early at 3:30 AM. We were staying with my Aunt Robin (on my dad's side), who works in DC and had no trouble in dropping us off at the Dulles International Airport. On the way to the airport we saw a bear, a fox, and lots deer. After arriving and checking in our luggage, we had to endure a grueling hour of security checks (they have become absolutely ridiculous these days! And by the way, everybody does the full body scans now... >.<). We were able to get onto our first flight quickly after that and left at 6:00 AM.
     It was on this first flight that I discovered the latest of air travel technology: free wifi that provides your flight trajectory and estimated time of arrival, along with a holy host of other neat things. By the way, Southwest Airlines are awesome! Baggage is free and alot of their terminals have pictures of staff who all look like they are cheering you  on (made my day better! XD).
      When we landed in Denver, we were slightly humored by the fact that we left at sunrise from home and then arrived at sunrise there! Anyway, due to the pilot's awesomeness, we arrived about 25 minutes early: just enough time to use the bathroom (can't stand airplane lavatories!) and grab a bite to eat (I had this awesome chocolate filled croissant).
    The next flight arrived promptly and soon we were boarded and taking off. The views were incredible! We even got a glimpse of Yellowstone and maybe Glacier NP ~pictures attached~. Soon we landed in Spokane, Washington and picked up our car: a 2011 Chevy Traverse. And guess what? It's black! With heated leather seats! And two sunroofs! And TONS of space to put stuff! And it drives really well (I got to drive it for about an hour). We all love the car and unanimously agree that it is our best one yet.
     No car is a joy though after driving for about 6 hours... give or take. But the views were gorgeous and the topography of the countryside is completely different than of that at home: Evergreen forests on high mountains and then converting into rolling plains hemmed in with even higher mountains (which are still covered in a thick layer of snow).
     We ate dinner at a local Montana cafe and had a delicious meal (steak, onion rings, a roll, caesar salad, and coconut pie for me) then finished up the long journey by stopping at a Best Western where we shall spend the night (and where I am writing this). It's been a long day, with each of us putting in a good 20 hours... so... Yeah, it's 8:30 here, but 10:30 for you guys. I shall attempt to blog more on the morrow. Hope you all are doing well!
                                 ~Logan

 Lake Yellowstone

Glacier National Park

Headwaters of the Missouri River

Near Current Location (Bozeman, MT)

Cool Rocks Outside of Butte, MT

                                        

Trip Itinerary

Thursday, June 30, 2011 (Day 1)

6am flight out Dulles to arrive in Spokane, WA @ 9:40am, Reserved Chevy Traverse or similar.

Drive 5 1/2 hrs, stop in Three Forks MT for dinner & Headwaters State Park (3 rivers join to form the Missouri River), then 30 minute drive to Bozeman.
Night      Bozeman, MT Best Western Gran Tree Inn      6 hrs drive

Friday, July 01, 2011 (Day 2)
Go to Walmart to stock up supplies then go to the American Computer Museum for a quick tour of computer history, then head into Yellowstone NP.  Enter through Mammoth & drive to Norris Geyser basin, artist's paint pots eventually making it to the Old Faithful area by dinner.
Night      Old Faithful Snow Lodge Western Cabins       3 hrs drive

Saturday, July 02, 2011 (Day 3)
Explore the geyser basin area near Old Faithful & Firehole river.  Hike Mystic Falls trail (2.4 miles round trip), go to top & turn right onto Little Firehole Meadow trail for old faithful overlook. After hike head to Lake Yellowstone.
Night      Lake Yellowstone Cabins      Min drive

Sunday, July 03, 2011 (Day 4)
Start the day with a hike of Elephant Back trail @ Lake Lodge (3.6 miles roundtrip). Then explore Lake Yellowstone area, look over Hayden Valley then take time around the Canyon area (leave 3 hours for hiking around the trails at the Canyon area.
Night      Canyon Lodge Standard Hotel Room      Min drive

Monday, July 04, 2011 (Day 5)
Slow morning, head north from Canyon area and hike Mt. Washburn trail (3 miles round trip). Expect to see bighorn sheep and hope the weather is good for visibility on the hike.  Continue North, stopping at Tower Falls (1 mile hike) then spend reaminder of time looking over Lamar Valley.  Reserved 4:30pm 1-hr horseback ride for Roosevelt Wild West Cook-out then drive to Mammoth to sleep.
Night      Mammoth Hot Springs Cabin      Min drive

Tuesday, July 05, 2011 (Day 6)
Early morning walk around Mammoth Hot Springs, then depart Yellowstone via Rt. 89 N, travel the Kings Hill Scenic Byway to Great Falls, MT. Visit Giant Springs SP and learn more history about Lewis & Clark expidition.  Re-stock supplies at Walmart & do laundry prior to heading into Glacier National Park.
Night      Great Falls, MT Best Western Plus Heritage Inn      4 hrs drive

Wednesday, July 06, 2011 (Day 7)
8:30am Depart Great Falls, MT towards St. Mary Visitor's Center in east Glacier NP.  Catch the shuttle for sightseeing & light hiking around St. Mary Lake (2-3hrs of sighseeing) 1hr shuttle ride each way.  Time dinner @ Two Sister's Café in Babb.  From dinner it is a short drive to our hotel deep within Glacier NP. 
Night      Many Glaciers Hotel (Family Room with 2 doubles and a twin)     3 hrs drive

Thursday, July 07, 2011 (Day 8)
Another early morning, by 7am start the hike to Iceberg lake (9.0 miles roundtrip), dinner at hotel
(depending on weather, this day can be switched with Friday if necessary)
Night      Many Glaciers Hotel (Family Room with 2 doubles and a twin)     No driving

Friday, July 08, 2011 (Day 9)
Today we are going to see the rest of the park and use the free shuttle bus service from St Mary's Visitor Center.  The Going-to-the-sun road is the main event with little hiking due to the day before.  Make our way to Lake McDonald & trail of the cedars on west side of park and back. No hurry, sleep in Saturday
Night      Many Glaciers Hotel (Family Room with 2 doubles and a twin)     Min driving

Saturday, July 09, 2011 (Day 10)
Reserved 1/2 Day Horseback ride to Grinnell Lake (overlook for Grinnell Glacier), 12:45pm check-in @ corral across from hotel.  Morning free to relax and recharge.
Night      Many Glaciers Hotel (Family Room with 2 doubles and a twin)     No driving

Sunday, July 10, 2011 (Day 11)
Early morning start, 7am depart Glacier NP and head to Banff NP, stopping in Calgary.  First stop Prince's Island Park for lunch, then Calgary Tower & end w/ Skyline Zipline by 4pm.  2 Hour drive from Calgary to Banff.
Night     Banff, AB Best Western Siding 29 (2 room 3 queen beds suite)     6 hr. drive

Monday, July 11, 2011 (Day 12)
Sleep in, take the day to explore Banff, take the Sulfur Mtn Tramway (1 hr hike at top that starts at
viewing platform), tour Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, see Lake Minnawanka in evening (use shuttle bus)
Night     Banff, AB Best Western Siding 29 (2 room 3 queen beds suite)     No driving

Tuesday, July 12, 2011 (Day 13)
Early start, go to Lake Louise (45-50 min from Banff), hike the Plain of Six Glaciers (4 hrs)
and have chocolate cake in the Teahouse, if weather good, visit Lake Moraine in evening
Night     Banff, AB Best Western Siding 29 (2 room 3 queen beds suite)     2 hrs driving

Wednesday, July 13, 2011 (Day 14)
Slow morning, Hike and bike around Banff. Lots of recommended trails in the area.  Leave open in case weather blocks any of the previous days.  Reservations @ 6:15pm to Dinner theatre presentation of 'Oh Canada' in nearby town of Canmore.
Night     Banff, AB Best Western Siding 29 (2 room 3 queen beds suite)     Min driving

Thursday, July 14, 2011 (Day 15)
6:30 am start to travel the Icefields Parkway up to the Athabasca Glacier for an icewalk tour (icewalks.com) which departs at 11am, check in @ 10:40 (5 hr walk), come back taking lots of time on parkway sightseeing at every opportunity (can't do it on the way up)
Night     Banff, AB Best Western Siding 29 (2 room 3 queen beds suite)     6 hrs driving

Friday, July 15, 2011 (Day 16)
Free day to return to any of the previous spots, also keep day open for any weather related issues on previous days. Can look into horseback ride if conditions are right at Lake Louise to Lake Agnes and Little Beehive or bike riding.
Night     Banff, AB Best Western Siding 29 (2 room 3 queen beds suite)     No driving

Saturday, July 16, 2011 (Day 17)
Leave Banff after breakfast and packing (no hurry), drive through Kootenay NP stopping often, good restaurant in park. Head to Cranbrook, breaking up drive to Spokane.
No Res'v Made     Maybe Cranbrook, BC Heritage Inn (breakfast included)      4 hrs drive

Sunday, July 17, 2011 (Day 18)
Drive to Spokane, return rental car and use shuttle bus to airport.
Night      Spokane, WA Best Western Peppertree Airport Inn      4 hrs drive

Monday, July 18, 2011 (Day 19)
6:30am flight out, arrive in DC around 3:30pm
Night      Home

Welcome!

Welcome all who are viewing this! We now have only one month before departing on our epic journey! If all goes as planned, then soon this blog will be filled with posts containing pictures and info regarding our 2011 Rockies Trip. For those of you who are wondering, the trip will consist of three primary sites including Yellowstone National Park (for the second time), Glacier National Park, and Banff National Park in Canada. As we go through the trip, we would love to see what you think about it or just anything you wish to say in general. Please feel free to leave comments!
                                             ~Logan Adams