GREAT NEWS!!!

Entire Going-to-the-Sun Road Projected to Open Thursday, June 24 Visitors urged to use caution in Logan Pass area due to high snow banks


WEST GLACIER, MONT. – Glacier National Park officials announce that the Going-to-the-Sun Road (Sun Road) will open across Logan Pass to motorized vehicle traffic mid-day Thursday, June 24, 2010, barring any unforeseen circumstances. Park officials report that this is the earliest opening of Logan Pass since 2006 when Logan Pass opened on June 23.


Visitors should use caution when in the Logan Pass area as there are up to 10-foot tall vertical snow banks and many trails are still snow covered.
There is currently no potable water available at Logan Pass. Due to concrete work at the visitor center, portable toilets will be provided for visitor use. Once the road opens the Logan Pass Visitor Center will be open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. including the Glacier Association bookstore. The popular Highline trail is currently closed from Logan Pass to the Haystack Butte saddle and is projected to open for the season on the weekend of July 10 after snow hazards are ‘treaded’ by park personnel and volunteers.


“In spite of a very wet June which caused many delays, this spectacular National Historic Landmark mountain roadway is now open for day-time travel between St. Mary and West Glacier unless it is temporarily closed due to weather,” remarked park Superintendent Chas Cartwright.


Road rehabilitation will occur on two sections of the Sun Road this summer.
Cartwright noted, “Glacier is fortunate to have received additional federal funding that allows acceleration of the rehabilitation project during 2010.” In addition to the 2010 work already scheduled and funded through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) between Big Bend and Logan Pass, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus funds are supporting additional work between Logan Pass and Siyeh Bend (also administered by the
FWHA) for a second phase of rehabilitation work to occur simultaneously.
Visitors should plan for short delays of a maximum of 40 minutes for a one-way trip across the entire Sun Road.


HK Contractors, Inc. now has day and night-shifts working at both works zones between Big Bend and Logan Pass and between Siyeh Bend and Logan Pass. Night work during 2010 is scheduled for Monday through Thursday from
9 p.m. to 7 a.m. on the west side of the Continental Divide. No passage will be allowed through the construction zone during the entire 10-hour nightshift. The Sun Road on the east side of the Divide will have the same nighttime restrictions, but there will be one short, 15-minute window for passage through the construction zone at 2 a.m. Otherwise, no access is allowed through the work zones during night work. There is no night work scheduled for Friday through Sunday. Sun Road rehabilitation information is available at http://www.wfl.fhwa.dot.gov/projects/gtsr/.


Heavy rainfall Monday, June 21 prompted the temporary closure of the Inside North Fork Road between Logging Creek and Fish Creek due to flooding. All other park roads are open to motorized vehicle travel. Logging Creek and Quartz Creek campgrounds are scheduled to open July 1. Granite Park Chalet opens Tuesday, June 29 and Sperry Chalet opens Wednesday, July 7.


The park’s free, optional Sun Road shuttle service will begin operating to locations along the Sun Road and Apgar Village for the summer on Thursday, July 1 and continue operations through Labor Day, Monday, September 6. This free, step-on-step-off, no frills shuttle provides an alternative for visitors traveling the Sun Road. Started in July 2007, the shuttle system is part of Glacier’s program to minimize impacts on visitors throughout the multi -year Sun Road rehabilitation. The transit service provides an alternative mode of transportation for those who don’t mind leaving their vehicles behind. The last evening buses depart Logan Pass for points east and west at 7:15 p.m.


This option is available in addition to popular guided tours by Sun Tours from a Blackfeet perspective (800-786-9220 or 406-226-9220 or
http://www.glaciersuntours.com/) and aboard the historic red buses with Glacier Park, Inc. (406-892-2525 or http://www.glacierparkinc.com/).


Hikers should always exercise caution around snow and other water hazards and be sure to wear sturdy, treaded footwear while walking on snow and be prepared for weather changes and other potential hazards. Cartwright noted that water-related accidents are the number one cause of accidental death at Glacier National Park. All park visitors are urged to be prepared, be familiar with their equipment and know their personal limitations. Go to the park’s web page at http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/yoursafety.htm
for details about: “Bears, Water, Wildlife, Mountain Lions and Watch Your Step.”


For current information on park roads and weather conditions, and visitor services throughout the park, visit Glacier's website www.nps.gov/glac, dial 511 anywhere in Montana (select option 5) or call park headquarters at 406-888-7800.

... and I thought storks brought them ...

It has been a pretty busy year behind the scenes here at Glacier Adventure. We have added a new member to the team, and it looks like we may be including more kid friendly adventures in the future ... stay tuned Glacier National Park fans.

www.glacieradventure.com

Back to Kandahar

As promised, we headed back up to Cafe Kandahar on The Big Mountain here in Whitefish Montana for an evening of heavy hors d'oeurves and wine sapling with Michael Keenan if the Keenan Winery in Napa.



The hors d'oeurves were delicious, but the wines were the highlight of my evening. I am a fan of red wines in general (fell in with the red zin crowd a few years ago when it became popular) but this night reunited me with a couple of old friends. It has been a while since I enjoyed an evening of wines like I did at Cafe Kandahar.

We started out with a couple of chardonnays, one of which, called "summer blend" perfect for a hot summer day. I liked the summer blend, Hill liked the Napa Valley Spring Mountain. I actually liked them both, but not being a big chardonnay drinker, I went with the "lighter" tasting one.

When we got into the reds, it was hard to pick a winner. I'm glad I didn't have to. What a selection. From a 2000 merlot that had me immediatley craving a steak to "mernet", a delicious blend of cabernet and merlot grapes that is very drinkable.



Speaking of Cabernet's, It's a toss-up between the 2004 Cabernet Reserve and the 2003 Merlot for my choice for victor, but like I said before, I'm glad I don't have to pick a winner.

If you have the opportunity, check out their website at www.KeenanWinery.com, or if you are ever in California, make an appointment for a tasting. They have some fantastic wines!

So until next time adventure fans, we'll see you in the park, or perhaps in the Napa Valley tasting some phenominal reds!!






Don't forget! Glacier Adventure is the source for Glacier National Park and surrounding areas.

Cheers!

-Jay




.

Flathead Cherry Festival 2008

On Sunday we went to Polson, MT at the southern end of Flathead Lake for the Flathead Cherry Festival. It was a weekend of cherry celebration complete with over 125 vendors and exhibitors, Flathead Cherry jewelry, quilts, aprons, jellies, bbq sauce and anything else you can print a cherry on or mix a cherry into.

Saturday was the cherry pit spitting and cherry stem tying contests. Sunday was the pie eating contest which we went to and next year I will enter, the same as I will enter the snow rodeo at the Izaak Walton Inn in Essex.

As you can see by the pictures, everyone had a blast and there was plenty of cherry pie to go around.

The festival usually happens right after the annual harvest, but our unusually long winter and short spring has lead to a late harvest. They should start picking sometime this week.

If you make it out to the valley, be sure and head down the East side of Flathead Lake and stop into any number of cherry stands on the side of the road, or if you like to really get em fresh, you can pick your own at select orchards.

As always, be sure and visit Glacier Adventure for anything and everything Glacier National Park and surrounding area!

Pie time! (Cherry that is)

.

Dinner on the mountain

We headed up the Big Mountain to Cafe Kandahar and had what I would say was the best dinner I've had since the last time we ate there. Chef Andy really knows how to create an amazing palette experience.

These pictures really don't do it justice. It is a restaurant that is worth the short trip up the newer-wider-faster Big Mountain Road.

The service was impeccable (as it always is) and our server Mare (with some help from Dennis) took care of everything from movie recommendations to wine pairings to food QandA's to dessert suggestions.

We are heading back there on Tuesday for something different. Robert Keenan from the Keenan Winery in Napa Valley will be at Cafe Kandahar for an evening of heavy hors d'oeurves and wine sampling. You can read about it right here.

We're also going to be heading up to visit with Andy in the kitchen and meet the chef who creates the menu at Cafe Kandahar. Stay tuned for that video.

You may have noticed that there was no dessert picture. It's not because we didn't have dessert, it's just that I couldn't move fast enough with the camera to get the shot before we devoured it and I didn't think you wanted to see a picture of an empty plate.




Until next time, Dig In!!





Be sure and check out Glacier Adventure for all of your Glacier National Park and Flathead Valley information.







.

North American Indian Days - Browning Montana

We made the trek from Whiteish to Browning, MT (about 2 hours on Rt.2) yesterday to enjoy the North American Indian Days (NAID) Parade and Pow Wow. It continues to impress me everytime we go. To see the pride of the Indians in their native dress, dance and drum is nothing short of astounding. The photos and video don't do it justice. It is something you should experience for yourself.

The parade started before noon and I would reccomend bringing a chair to sit in, and umbrella (for sun protection), a cooler with some cold drinks and a plastic bag (to put the candy or goodies thrown by parade participants). It got pretty warm in the afternoon and I'm glad I wore a visor. I should have brought sunscreen, I now have the definition of a farmer's tan!

After the parade we headed to the arena for the entrance, introduction, drum and dance competiton. You can burn through some serious film at this event and I am glad we took a couple of memory chips and blank tapes. (shoot count: 960 still photos and 1:45 of video) The colors are brilliant, the drums beat like a heartbeat, and the dance is hypnotizing.

If you are going to be in Northwest Montana next year around the second weekend in July, I would definately check out the North American Indian Days in Browning, MT. If you plan on taking photos ar video, you will need a NAID photo/video permit. They are available at the Pow Wow grounds ($10 photo / $20 video) and worth every penny!!

"It is an intriguing way to see authentic Blackfeet traditions. Tipis are pitched on the powwow grounds for four days of contest dancing, games, a number of sports events and socializing. Comprising one of the largest gatherings of United States and Canadian tribes, the celebration is an unforgettable experience. Once you hear and feel the mystery of the drum, see the traditional and fancy dancing, and the many proud Native people, then you will begin to understand the Blackfeet." - quote from www.browningmontana.com

I hope you enjoy our pictures.

Please be respectful, in some situations it is polite to ask permission before taking pictures or video.



See you there next year....

-jay

.

Independance Day in Polebridge

Well, after an extremely busy week, I am finally getting around to posting the 4th of July celebration in Polebridge, MT, just outside the northwest entrance to Glacier National Park.

We've heard stories, but never experienced it.... we can no longer say that.

Up the dusty Northfork we went and after enjoying a dirt sandwich from the trucks and cars (yes, ... there was traffic) in front of us, we arrived and drove down the already people lined parade route to our parking spot. After setting up the chairs and cooler, Hill was asked to be a judge and that gave her the perfect seat for getting video. (see video)

What a party! The parade started a little after noon and there was a line of floats ready to do their thing for the judges. The noxious weed group put on a great show and took first place. There was also bears chasing joggers, grandmas featherbed, a good ol blue grass band, and a great show from a line of pack mules. Candy was thrown, beverages consumed, baked goods eaten, burgers and beer devoured, children laughed .... and a great time was had by all.

See you next year ... at Polebridge.

Make sure to check out GlacierAdventure.com for alot of Glacier National Park and surrounding area information!!