Paradise Point & Running Eagle Falls hikes

Day 3 Up early again.  Ugh!  Gotta stop doing that!  We had a leisurely morning on our computers with coffee and oatmeal for breakfast.  Trains pass through this whistle stop and we enjoy the hum of the wheels and the mournful horn.  I stopped in at the front office to inquire as our lack of hot water and Mark, the proprietor, was embarrassed to admit that he hadn't fixed the handle labels this season yet.  The C is the hot water and the H is the cold water.  His plumber mixed up the pipe connections so every season he relabels the handle and it usually lasts through the end of the season...until next year.

The day started cold and dreary as we pulled out of the Whistling Swan Motel lot at 9:30a and headed to Two Medicine for a day of hiking and photography.  We took a wrong turn and ended up "going around our elbow to get to our nose".  But all good things come to those who wait and our wrong turn gave us sights we would have missed otherwise and allowed the gray skies to clear for some great photos.  We drove through Kiowa, a one-store blip on the radar.

Here's a pullout stop with a mini hike to a viewpoint that overlooks Two Medicine Lake.

Blackfoot Sioux burial site.

Beargrass just starting to bloom.

Entering the park, no ranger was at the gate but we were ready with our America the Beautiful Senior Pass which saves us $25 EVERY time we enter the park.  Our first stop, Running Eagle Falls which is a quick mile hike to an impressive waterfall and rapids.  A family passed us on the trail and noticed my Pensacola shirt and the father commented that he taught at West Florida University.  A quick exchange but it's nice to meet people on the trail...instead of bears.

Next stop, Paradise Point which was supposed to reward us with more waterfalls.  Since it was already 12:30p, we ate our salads that we had bought at the Kroger and then set out. I'm still nervous about the bears whenever we seem to be alone on the trail but the bear spray is $48 and we may never need/use it!  I'll just continue my loud nervous talking although I'm not used to talking THAT much. (AND DON'T YOU LAUGH!)  The trail ended at Two Medicine Lake and, to be fair, there were waterfalls down cascading down the face of the mountain across the lake.  Between the wind and the cold lake water, we got too cold sitting in the shade and moved to the sun-drenched pebble beach.  Caught a few little creatures scampering on the ground and, taking a breather, spotted a spider web high in a pine.

We had planned a continuation of this hike further into the mountains but our bodies were revolting at any more physical activity for today so we hiked back to the parking lot, stopped in the general store, and headed home.

We found the correct road (which is shorter by far) to get us back to East Glacier Park.  We shopped some more in the Glacier Trading Post and will pick up eggs after dinner. Went to Luna's for dinner of Indian Taco. This is Blackfeet Nation country and our waitress, Zita, is from the tribe.  She teaches math during the winter at the Indian school and works at Luna's during the summer.  She describes herself as a "whimsical soul" who has traveled quite a bit off the mainland but home drew her back.  She plans to teach for a while until she decides on her next degree.  She helped make our dinner experience fun and talked us into huckleberry pie a la mode.  She didn't have to work too hard to convince us to order this treat.

We shopped at the Spiral Spoon which is open 9-9 but the door is always locked since they continue to work on their woodcarving until a customer rings the bell.  The owner, a man in his late 60s, answered the bell in his cowboy hat, boots, vest, and jeans and spent the entire time showing us around his shop and explaining the various spoons they have created for sale. He was a wonderful soul and, when we got ready to leave, I asked him his name.  He removed his hat and said, "Charlie, ma'am", and shook my hand. Sometimes it's just the smallest gesture that touches your heart and warms the soul as we connect with another person.

After dinner, we visited the Rock n Roll bakery that gets its name from their wares.  Besides bakery items, they sell hiking gear of poles, leg protectors, and all sorts of sunscreen and more.  We had nice chat with 20-something Patrick as we bought 2 cinnamon rolls for breakfast.  Patrick gave us great suggestions for our Many Glacier hikes and not-to-be-missed spots.

Back at Whistling Swan, we're in for the night of playing with our pictures and blogging. Hopefully tomorrow will renew my body for another hike.