First day of Fall Story

Alas, a new blog entry. This goes back to Sept 21, day 14 of our trip......................

After a night of blistering wind, rain, fog and temperatures close to Tomie's age, we awaken in a warm lake-view room at sunrise. Fall has arrived.... this is our story.

Leading Characters

Tomie and Karen

Supporting Characters

Scott, Rich, and Troy

Guest Appearances

Bighorn Sheep 1,2, & 3

Mountain Goat 1,2, & 3

Moose Mom

Moose Calf

Grizzly Mom

Grizzly Cub 1 & 2

Extras

Cows, Horses, Deer, Rabbit, Ground Squirrel, Dog, and Other Hikers

Lead Grip

Rodney

1st Scene: Many Glacier Lodge - Glacier National Park

I(Tomie) am awake at sunrise to photograph the morning light on the Lake. Karen, the wonderful assistant that she is, fetches the first cup of (weak) morning coffee. As I walk out of the lodge the wind coming off the lake nearly blows my hat off. The light is golden and the air is brisk. The snow-covered mountain tops beckon. The big blue Montana sky is etched with playful clouds. Following the morning shoot, coffee and egg sandwiches are enjoyed. We then meet 3 guys who also are planning the 5 1/2 mile hike to Grinell Glacier. They accept our request that we tag along. We drive to the trailhead, don our layers and begin this day's adventure.

Scene 2: Hike to Grinell Glacier

After climbing for about 1 hour on the trail, Karen and I simultaneously proclaim the most profound thing we could utter at that very moment - "WOW!!!" We experience our first look at Grinell Lake! The water is the most breathtaking turquoise color we have ever seen. We stop in our tracks to take it all in for more than a moment. Soon after the first sight of the lake, we have our first BIG wildlife sighting of the trip. Bighorn Sheep 1, 2, and 3 are relaxing on a cliffside just below the trail. They, too, are mesmerized by the lake below. As we continue our journey we encounter melted snow, fresh packed snow, mountain streams and gusty winds. By now our many layers of clothing are all on including winter hats, gloves, and vests. Upon arriving at the summit we are again taken aback by the snow, peaks, and semi-frozen lakes that we see around Grinell Glacier where it sits in a pocket in the side of the mountain. The National Park Service predicts that this and all the glaciers in the park will be no more come 2030. We are well aware that we are witnessing a part of geological history.

We eat our snack and hydrate as I take lots of photos in this arctic wonderland. A strong wind almost blows me over. We begin our descent. We continue to look for wildlife in their natural environment and find Mountain Goat 1, 2, and 3 on a cliff just above our heads. They look very soft and cuddly. WHO KNEW! They obviously have a different modeling contract than the bighorn sheep as they up and leave the scene after only 4 pictures have been taken.

We then literally join paths with Mom Moose and Moose Calf. Their modeling agent doesn't allow head shots. Just from the rear! They finally decide to share the trail and let us pass so we can finish our trek back to the trailhead and ultimately to the lodge. Not so fast... The Bears!!!

Grizzly Mom and Grizzly Cub 1 and 2 graze their huckleberries on the hillside just opposite the lodge. Cars are stopping this way and that. Perfect.

Closing Scene:The Swiss Lodge

We meet our new hiking friends for a cold beer or 2 or Diet Coke (no ice) and relive our fun from the day.

And so it is.. the end to a perfect fall day.

THE END

Fall is Here! At least in Montana

Here are a few photos from our trip to Glacier National Park. We saw amazing colors, wildlife, and lakes. It even snowed!!! We will add our story at a later day. We feel the need to get on the road and head to Yellowstone! Hope this finds you all doing great! We are having amazing adventures. I will be coming back here in the summer for sure. Love Karen and Tomie

Photos from last blog

Pike's Fish market Flowers and fish!!

The Statue of Liberty at City Beach in Sandpoint,ID Round Lake in Sandpoint,ID. We ran 5 miles around this lake during a high school Track meet. Karen came in 2nd place!!! He was younger and faster. Karen was being rooted on as Grandma!

Multnomah Falls in OR
We drove through a rafting town! very cute sign
Doing our first Volunteer work with Suz, and Helena. having fun in a Tavern!

Rain.... the first of many days.

Everyday is an Adventure for Tomie and Karen

Having some difficulty with uploading, photos to follow....

Tues Sept 18th,2007

The days seem to just run together. I am always asking Karen what day it is - she looks at her watch and tells me. Losing track of time didn't take long. Today we are in Sandpoint, ID. We are sitting on a lake drinking coffee and enjoying the free wi-fi. So we will go back to our last entry..

Friday Sept 14th: Bend.OR

we went out for a nice scenic bike ride along the Cascade Scenic byway near Mt. Bachelor. We decided to do a loop ride since the first part of the bike was all down hill and we wanted to avoid major climbs. we road past many lakes and lots of trees! I was in Heaven... We have no pictures due to the batteries going out in the camera. Just as well. The ride was great, not many cars and no stops along the way. We were out there in the wilderness. We then were getting close to our turnoff to complete our loop and head back to the car when we came upon a road closed sign. WHAT?? well the road back to our car had been closed since may and wasn't due to open for another week. So we had to take a detour on a gravel road with our road bike for 7 miles.!!! To say the least it was a challenge to our mental toughness!!! we then got to the main road that would finally lead us to the car. We were now at 51 miles and the car was near the base of Mt. Bachelor - - 15 more miles - uphill. Remember this is Karen's 3rd ride in 10 years. I decided to ask this couple who just pulled into the turnoff for a ride to my car. They were from the Netherlands and were very friendly! thank goodness. Not sure how happy we would have been if we road up to the car. After the ride we went into downtown Bend and I had a few beers! Karen drove again. The only time Karen gets to drive is if I've had more than 2 beers.

Sept 15th Sat.. we Drive to Portland

We have decided to take a detour to Portland to visit with some friends from San Diego. We took the scenic route through the Columbia River Gorge. We stopped at Multnomah Falls, the first time we encountered so many people. It was a bit of an adjustment for us. We then made it to our friends Suzanne and Helena's home. Suzanne was working on building a shed and we got to help put up the fourth wall! We had to work for our free place to stay. They took us to a tavern in the pearl district of portland. we then walked from their house to a hostel/movie theater/pub/resturant called McMenamans. It was an old elementary school that they converted. A great Idea!!! Off to bed..

Sept 16th

Our first Run!! This week seems to be a first for lots of things. We decided that since we were so close we would drive to Seattle. Karen had never been and it is only 3 hours away so why not??? Our first rain was in portland and it seems to be following us. We decided to stay in a hostel across the street from the Pikes public Market in Seattle. This was again a first for both of us - in the states. We paid $27 pp for a bunk and got free dinner, free wi-fi and free breakfest. Not to mention it is in the heart of the city!! This was a great first. We went out wandering for a drink. At least for me. Karen will have some famous Seattle coffee. We happened to come across this very interesting place down below the alley way.. Curiosity took us inside.... it turned out to be the place that our friends in Portland told us to go called the PINK DOOR.. I highly recommend it. It then started raining again on our way back to the hostel (green tortoise). off to bed with our new roomies from SF.

Sept 17th

Today started off with a jump start for me. We had parked our car on the street and new we needed to move it by 8am. Well i woke up pretty early and decided at 7am to go find a new parking place. WEll, when i got to the street, my car was the only one on the block. OH SHIT@!# We were to move it by 6am. As I sprinted up to my car a tow truck was pulling in front of it to take it away. I got there in the nick of time. Thank goodness. That would be another adventure that i wouldn't want to take on. I then put the car in a garage and got Karen to go grab some famous seattle coffee. ( i think we drank like 4 cups today) We walked around the Public market watching them throw fish and amazed at the price of flowers. Then we headed to Idaho!! Back to the trees and wilderness. I am done with city life for awhile. I can park my car almost anywhere in the campground.

OUR FIRSTS: first free campground shower here in Sandpoint; first night camping in the rain here in Sandpoint; first big cities; first time Karen drove when Tomie had not been drinking; first Monday night football viewing - Karen was interested in the Women's World Cup - no luck in getting the bar to change the channel; first stay in a hostel this trip; first volunteer work opportunity with Suz. & Helena's hom-improvement project; first travel souveneir - "The Moonglow Dragon" - from Suz. & Helena; first waterfall sighting; first morning the camp stove wouldn't work - we left it out in the rain OOPS. What an adventure!!!

Days 4,5,6

Our first bike ride of the trip. 36 miles. My (Karen) first time on a bike in 8 years!! This route took us through the countryside, 80+ degrees, Mt. Shasta in the background the entire way. We went for a swim in Castle Lake-Tomie's first swim in a lake (any lake) afterward for a much needed cool down (and shower). Then got on the road north...

I enjoyed riding past the cows and asked Tomie to please take a photo of the baby calf. I didn't know I had such an affinity for cows. Actually, anyone who knows me knows I buy milk 2 gallons at a time. Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is our favorite scenic site thus far. The blueness of the lake is amazing and doesn't seem possible. A view from the Mt. Scott summit - the highest point in the park.

Now down to the lowest point in the park to look at the crater walls and blue water up close. Crater Lake is in the caldera where Mt. Mazama volcano was prior to its collapse. Largest diameter is 6 miles. The lake is the deepest in the world and is the cleanest and clearest. We learned lots of fun facts about geology from Ranger Ross on our boat tour. We seem to have adopted the monicker "Sunset Chasers." Sunset was gorgeous.
We decided to bike around Diamond Lake before leaving the Crater Lake area. We toured through trees and meadows and streams on a narrow paved path. It was a beautiful ride!We had eats in downtown Bend and are spending the night at the home of a friend. We are showered and will sleep in beds for the first time since leaving San Diego.
What's next? Biking tomorrow. Perhaps to Hood River? Portland?
Did you know? Tomie and I both love to sing along with the music as we drive.
Some common onversation pieces thus far: Which one is yours? Why don't we have cell phone service? My name is Karen Fritz and I rock!!!
AND, we don't have to ask anymore why one of us spontaneously and rather frantically opens a car window. Hah!!

Northern California Journey

Addie Girl Fritz didn't want to see Karen leave again.... She was hoping that she would be going with us! Sorry Addie, no room in the car. Mom will be home soon.
Day 2... Karen and I made it to Lassen Volcanic NP! I almost passed the sign but was able to stop suddenly without having everything in the car go flying. Entering our first NP! We drove into the park and found out that a fire was about 6o miles away. No views for us today. We hiked to the summit of Lassen Peak anyways. The elevation of Lassen Peak is 10457 ft! We climb 2000ft at a 15% grade.. it was a good hike for our first one of the trip! We didn't have any great views to talk about or show you, but we had a great time. Lassen Volcano is one of the worlds largest plug dome volcanoes! Just some facts that Karen took down along the hike! we only stayed one night due to the smoke out. We moved on to Castle Crags State park near Mt. Shasta!!

Castle Crag State park Day 3! TODAY...

We camped last night at a very nice campground.. it even had showers! I was so EXCITED about having a hot shower. My new motto is Shower when you can! never pass that up.. This morning we had coffee in the forest and then headed out on another steep climb! we hiked up to the crags below. Amazing!!! Lots of trees and grand views of the crags and Mt. Shasta. We are now sitting in restaurant looking at our photos from the day and entering in the blog! I am on my second beer waiting to go photograph the sunset from Mt.Shasta!! LIFE IS GOOD!!! Karen and I are enjoying each other and having fun getting to know each other on a whole different level. We sing, talk about life opportunties and what we want to do next! Goin with the flow!! Look forward to hearing from eveyone!! Tomorrow we will do a bike ride and find some swimming holes! Karen wants to skinny dip.. oh joy!!

Good Bye San Diego

A few images of my going away party. it was great fun and sad to say goodbye to so many people I love! you all will be missed. I will think of you as I hiking up a mountain or watching the sunset in so many new places!! One more sleep and then I hit the road! I am so present to this upcoming adventure and opening myself up to new sights, people and experiences!! I look forward to sharing with you all as the hours, days and months go by!!! Good bye to all my friends, family and co-workers.. you will be missed!!!!