G is for. . .

 

Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Glacier, and what a grand idea the parks are, anyway!  I had some trouble deciding about this one.  In the last couple of years we've visited the Grand Canyon:

North Kaibab Trail

Likewise Grand Teton NP:

The most photographed barn in the world?

But I decided to write about our visit in 2010 to Glacier National Park, because it has a story.

Two Medicine Lake

It's a story of the rest of the family running about seeing amazing scenery and wildlife (grizzlies!  with cubs!) while I sat around camp.  It was a bit of G for grousing, but mostly it was P for pneumonia.  That's right--I'm the only person I know who toured Glacier National Park while coughing her lungs up with a rampaging case of pneumonia.

We'd planned for weeks.  Coordinated with other family members.  And headed out from California full of excitement.  By late afternoon the first day, I knew I was sick.  Should we turn around?  No, no, I'd get over it and be fine in a day or so.  So I sat and burned with fever all across northeastern CA, eastern Oregon, and into Idaho.  I stayed in camp at the Sawtooth Mountains and napped while the guys went for a hike.

Two days later:

Trying to enjoy Bowman Lake, only I can't really stand up

 That night I sat up in the car most of the night, on account of not being able to breathe lying down.  Next day we drove 40 miles of gravel roads to West Glacier, found the tiny medical clinic, and were told (to no one's surprise) that I had pneumonia.  Armed with antibiotics, I expected to be all better and full of pep in two days.  WRONG!  The fever went away, and I was able to breathe again, but holy cow, I felt awful for weeks!  My 81-year-old Mother-in-Law could hike me into the ground the first few days.

But I'm a stubborn cuss.  At the very end, I declared myself well enough to hike for real, and we were able to get a back-country permit.  Got to spend one night away from the campfires (it was worth hiking 6 miles each way for that alone, actually; the smoke was very hard to cope with), in a room with a view:

Interesting neighbors, too:

 

Of course, Mr. Goat there had a strong taste for salt, and he knew where it came from.  It is very hard to do your business when a goat is standing 6 feet off, urging you to hurry up so he can enjoy the salt lick!   

So there you have it: G for Grands, Glacier, and goats.

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Housekeeping: The winners of the Death By Ice Cream giveaway have been notified!  There are actually six winners, as one had bought the book and generously gave her chance back.  Thanks, Maria!  And thanks to everyone who entered!