When last we left you with Glacier Photos: Part I, Justin and I had just ended our first long day of biking and hiking in the park.
I have no photos of the next day because we spent all of it running wedding-related errands, grocery shopping, and having engagement photos taken.
First, we visited with Mikie of Mikie's Cheesecake out of Kalispell. Mikie makes fabulous wedding cakes comprised of layers of spongecake separated by cheesecake in a multitude of flavors. We talking with Mikie about our ideas for a wedding cake and she shared some photos with us. Because we gave her short notice for the visit, she wasn't able to prepare a sample. But her reputation will suffice-- even our photographer speaks highly of her cakes.
After visiting with Mikie, we went into Kalispell and stopped by Simply Sweet bakery to talk about tartlets. We're planning to have a "small" cake that will serve 45-60 (the smallest Mikie offers) and between 70 and 100 tartlets. That way, guests can choose between traditional wedding cake and a small pie. With three cake flavors and likely two tartlet flavors (cherry and huckleberry?) to pick between, the options multiply exponentially!
We wrapped up our trip into town by grocery shopping for the week and returned to the cabin for our afternoon photo shoot with Nicole Tavenner of Piknik Studios. Nicole drove to the park from Polson (about an hour and a half away) and we had her to ourselves for the entire evening-- she started shooting at 4pm and we didn't finish until 8:30! Engagement shoots don't *require* that much time, but we were enjoying ourselves and there were so many locations we wanted to visit. I really can't wait to see the results. I'm certain they'll be amazing based on her portfolio, and if all goes well, she'll be our wedding photographer too!
( Day 3 Photos )
Tom and Amy arrived late that night. We said a proper hello to them the next morning, and goodbye to Justin's dad, Cathy, her son Rio, and his friend "Gopher." The four of us took it pretty easy and spent the day hiking up a mostly-dry McDonald Creek, wading in and out of the cold water, and swimming when we wanted some icy pain.
(Day 4 Photos )
The next morning, we got up early and drove to Many Glacier to climb Mt. Wynn. Wynn is a fairly low and non-technical peak with a lead-up that is mostly trail, so we figured it would be a good introduction to Glacier climbing for Tom & Amy. They've also never been to Many Glacier before, and I've only been there twice. It's a phenomenally beautiful area and even the 1.5-hour-long drive from Lake McDonald is worth it. Logan Pass is always prettiest in the morning, from both sides. And Lake Saint Mary, well, just has to be seen to be believed.
I especially wanted to visit Many Glacier because it's where I want to marry Justin. I know, realistically, that it might not be possible for us to hold the wedding at Many Glacier Lodge due to park policy, but it's still my dream. I guess I just want to show all my friends and family how much better this view is in person.
Our hike on Day 4 took us up the Cracker Lake trail past Cracker Flats for about 3 miles. The first 1.5 miles, before the trail starts to climb, are unbearably dusty and often smelly due to high horse traffic to the Cracker Flats. Once you turn off the horse-trodden section, the trail is very pleasant. The best part of the trail is the long, flat section on top of a wide, forested ridge. It's very unique terrain.
Climbers leave the beaten path at a log bridge that crosses the creek after it has risen from the gorge far below. The dry creek bed is good climbing and apparently can be bush-whacked if there's water-- but I wouldn't recommend it. The hike up the creek bed was long and slow, but really over really enjoyable rock. Once we reached the high alpine meadow where the creek fades, Amy and I crashed and had nap time while Tom and Justin climbed up the shoulder and summited Mount Wynn. I like climbing, but sitting in the flowers and enjoying the view was a nice change for once.
We made record time hiking down and were treated to a beautiful sunset behind the mountains and over cracker flats.
It was 8pm when we reached the parking lot and we had to be nearly home by 10pm or risk being barred from the road due to construction closures, so we quickly raided the "grocery" at the lodge for snacks and bolted for the pass. When stopped at the ranger's station to turn in our hike notification (essentially letting them know we weren't dead in the back country), we saw two Bighorn sheep aggressively licking the tires and wheel-wells of a poor SUV in the parking lot, mercilessly clonking their horns against the side panels. Oops, must've driven on a salted road. We made it down in plenty of time and even glimpsed a black bear crossing Going to the Sun on the way home.
I think we ate leftovers (mmm, lasagna) and drank several bottles of wine and tequila before passing out planning for a lazy day. More to come.
Posted on September 10, 2007 @ 9:15 PM | 2 comments
I have no photos of the next day because we spent all of it running wedding-related errands, grocery shopping, and having engagement photos taken.
First, we visited with Mikie of Mikie's Cheesecake out of Kalispell. Mikie makes fabulous wedding cakes comprised of layers of spongecake separated by cheesecake in a multitude of flavors. We talking with Mikie about our ideas for a wedding cake and she shared some photos with us. Because we gave her short notice for the visit, she wasn't able to prepare a sample. But her reputation will suffice-- even our photographer speaks highly of her cakes.
After visiting with Mikie, we went into Kalispell and stopped by Simply Sweet bakery to talk about tartlets. We're planning to have a "small" cake that will serve 45-60 (the smallest Mikie offers) and between 70 and 100 tartlets. That way, guests can choose between traditional wedding cake and a small pie. With three cake flavors and likely two tartlet flavors (cherry and huckleberry?) to pick between, the options multiply exponentially!
We wrapped up our trip into town by grocery shopping for the week and returned to the cabin for our afternoon photo shoot with Nicole Tavenner of Piknik Studios. Nicole drove to the park from Polson (about an hour and a half away) and we had her to ourselves for the entire evening-- she started shooting at 4pm and we didn't finish until 8:30! Engagement shoots don't *require* that much time, but we were enjoying ourselves and there were so many locations we wanted to visit. I really can't wait to see the results. I'm certain they'll be amazing based on her portfolio, and if all goes well, she'll be our wedding photographer too!
( Day 3 Photos )
Tom and Amy arrived late that night. We said a proper hello to them the next morning, and goodbye to Justin's dad, Cathy, her son Rio, and his friend "Gopher." The four of us took it pretty easy and spent the day hiking up a mostly-dry McDonald Creek, wading in and out of the cold water, and swimming when we wanted some icy pain.
(Day 4 Photos )
The next morning, we got up early and drove to Many Glacier to climb Mt. Wynn. Wynn is a fairly low and non-technical peak with a lead-up that is mostly trail, so we figured it would be a good introduction to Glacier climbing for Tom & Amy. They've also never been to Many Glacier before, and I've only been there twice. It's a phenomenally beautiful area and even the 1.5-hour-long drive from Lake McDonald is worth it. Logan Pass is always prettiest in the morning, from both sides. And Lake Saint Mary, well, just has to be seen to be believed.
I especially wanted to visit Many Glacier because it's where I want to marry Justin. I know, realistically, that it might not be possible for us to hold the wedding at Many Glacier Lodge due to park policy, but it's still my dream. I guess I just want to show all my friends and family how much better this view is in person.
Our hike on Day 4 took us up the Cracker Lake trail past Cracker Flats for about 3 miles. The first 1.5 miles, before the trail starts to climb, are unbearably dusty and often smelly due to high horse traffic to the Cracker Flats. Once you turn off the horse-trodden section, the trail is very pleasant. The best part of the trail is the long, flat section on top of a wide, forested ridge. It's very unique terrain.
Climbers leave the beaten path at a log bridge that crosses the creek after it has risen from the gorge far below. The dry creek bed is good climbing and apparently can be bush-whacked if there's water-- but I wouldn't recommend it. The hike up the creek bed was long and slow, but really over really enjoyable rock. Once we reached the high alpine meadow where the creek fades, Amy and I crashed and had nap time while Tom and Justin climbed up the shoulder and summited Mount Wynn. I like climbing, but sitting in the flowers and enjoying the view was a nice change for once.
We made record time hiking down and were treated to a beautiful sunset behind the mountains and over cracker flats.
It was 8pm when we reached the parking lot and we had to be nearly home by 10pm or risk being barred from the road due to construction closures, so we quickly raided the "grocery" at the lodge for snacks and bolted for the pass. When stopped at the ranger's station to turn in our hike notification (essentially letting them know we weren't dead in the back country), we saw two Bighorn sheep aggressively licking the tires and wheel-wells of a poor SUV in the parking lot, mercilessly clonking their horns against the side panels. Oops, must've driven on a salted road. We made it down in plenty of time and even glimpsed a black bear crossing Going to the Sun on the way home.
I think we ate leftovers (mmm, lasagna) and drank several bottles of wine and tequila before passing out planning for a lazy day. More to come.
Posted on September 10, 2007 @ 9:15 PM | 2 comments
Comments:
What fun! The cakes and tartlets sound tasty tasty tasty. I can't wait! Also can't wait to see those engagement pix.
By 
LazyLightning, at
6:50 AM, September 11, 2007
*sigh*
That panorama shot alone has convinced me that I need to go to Glacier..
Amazing photos!!
By Ingunn, at
3:06 PM, October 08, 2007
