Fire Near Apgar

So I have been to Glacier National Park at least 4 times now and it has become a very memorable place for me.  The first time we were there was in 2003 which was a summer with tons of fires.  We were staying in Apgar and my mom watched as the fire jumped the ridge and burned all the way down to the edge of the lake during the night.  The next morning we got up to an extremely smokey area, but still no evacuation order.  We decided to pack up anyways because we were going around to the other side of the park for the day to get out of the smoke and by the time we got to the other side of the park our hotel had been evacuated.

We went back to Glacier National Park in 2005 and then again in 2008.  In 2005 we went on a walk with a park ranger in the area that had burned and it was amazing to see how much had changed in 2 years.  In 2008 we didn't visit the specific area but you could still see very clearly from Apgar where the fire had burned down to the lake.

Now, in 2015 it is amazing to see how much regrowth has occurred in 12 years.  That area will only keep regrowing and I find it really neat to see the forest go through such an obvious change.  It is amazing to see how fire affects an environment but how it can have positive effects.  I like looking at it in a way where when the area first burned there was almost nothing left.  When things first started regrowing the progress was slow and it took time.  But now, trees are taking root and growing tall again.  I like to look at it as never losing hope even when things look bleak and barren because you never know what can grow and come of the situation.

2003

I got this photo off the web because I couldn't find any that our family took while we were there.

2005

This was what the forest looked like two years later.  It still looked very burned but at least the ground was now covered with green from new growth.

2008

These were taken across the lake, from Apgar when we were back five years after the fire.  You can still see the brown part of the forest where it burned from across the lake.

2015

Sorry I didn't take a better picture looking across the lake at the burned area but it is much less obvious now.

Now, 12 years later, the forest is looking green and like it is growing well again.  The green is prevailing over the black and charred looking things now.  Even though many dead trees still stand above the growing trees you can tell that the new growth is doing well and on it's way to becoming a full size forest.

Boys Back Home

Alden and Anders were so good for our whole trip but it some ways it was nice to get home and just be able to relax around the house for a few days.  My two little boys had fun playing together and I love how much Alden loves entertaining Anders and making him laugh.  Anders is also very entertained by his brother and thinks he is really funny sometimes.  It is really cute to watch them interact!

Alden makes Anders laugh a lot and it is really cute!

Alden talking and making weird noises at his brother.

Alden likes to sing to his little brother but of course when I start videoing he starts acting weird.  Here is a funny rendition of Twinkle Little Star by Alden.

Apgar

After doing a little hiking in the morning we spent most of the afternoon around Apgar.  We took Alden to a Ranger Program where they talked about the fish in the park and how, unfortunately, invasive species are taking over many of the lakes.  Alden also got to look around in the Discovery Cabin a couple times which he thought was fun.  While we were at the Discovery Cabin Alden was also able to earn his Junior Ranger badge.  He was very excited about this and happy to get another badge.  The other thing we did that Alden thought was really fun was go down to the lake and throw rocks in.  My Dad and Drew had fun skipping rocks while Alden was throwing them in.  It ended up being a very nice, relaxing afternoon with lots of fun activities.

Alden watching the Junior Ranger Program with Daddy.

Daddy spending cuddle time with Anders.

Alden playing and looking at stuff in the Discovery Cabin.

Alden thought that all the horns and antlers were pretty cool.  He liked that he could try to pick all of them up and look at them.

All the boys throwing or skipping their rocks in the water.

Anders and Grandma enjoying time together while watching the boys throw their rocks.

Drew practicing his technique for skipping rocks.  He had a couple really good ones here.

Alden just liked throwing hand fulls of rocks and would then watch them splash.

Alden is so happy with a rocky beach!  I think he would have been content to spend his whole day here!

We went back to the Discovery Cabin again and Alden had fun inspecting the feathers. I guess he was trying to develop his naturalist skills.

Alden going through his Junior Ranger book with the Ranger.

Alden taking the oath and then showing off his new badge!

Back in our cabin a little later, Grandpa had fun carrying on the tradition of doing the Noble Duke of York with his grand kids.  He just does a modified version with Anders right now since he is so little.

Alden had fun watching them and waiting for his turn.  It was a great afternoon and nice to have so many fun things to do right around the cabin.

Trail of the Cedars

On our full day in Glacier National Park we decided to go hike a fairly easy trail called the Trail of the Cedars.  It was very pretty but also easy enough that Alden could do the whole thing, well, that is if he had wanted to.  It was a cloudy and overcast day with rain on and off all day and we didn't feel like getting drenched like the day before.  This was a nice trail walk that I had fun doing again after so many years away.

Starting out hiking on the trail.  Alden had to make sure that he was going the right way.

The trail loops around a river that is really pretty.

Alden had fun climbing inside this tree trunk!

 

We all had a lot of fun hiking the trail.

About halfway through the hike you get to a bridge where you cross the river and you can look up and down the canyon at the river.  It is really pretty and a neat thing to see.

We love our family adventures and seeing new things together!

Looking down at the river from the bridge.

Part of the trail that weaves through the forest as a boardwalk.

Alden hiked most of the trail but he did get Grandpa to carry him a little.

This is what the river looks like at the end of the trail.  It is neat to see the difference between the part in the canyon and the flatter part further down.

This was another short stop we made to look at the river here and some falls.  No surprise, Alden wanted to throw rocks off the bridge.  We had a fun time exploring and letting Drew and Alden see new things this morning.