Saturday, June 9, 2012

Glacier National Park

It has been brought to my attention that Chloe and I have fallen behind on our blog post. To all of our dedicated followers,  I apologize. Good, now that is out of the way we can pick up where we left off!

 Where was I? Oh that's right, at a bakery of course!!  However, this was no ordinary bakery. The Pine Street Bakery in Sandpoint Idaho provided much more than just a warm welcome after a day of cycling in the soggy rain. Can you say calories!! My goodness it was like this ethereal bakery popped out of nowhere and sweetly called my name, it whispered "oh Hannah... we have delicious cookies, everything bagels, lemon drop cookies, hiker oat cake bars, rhubarb streusel bars, and bear claws, all for you to enjoy..." How could I resist?? My defenses were completely down and I was hit hard, hit with this confectioners sugar bomb! Literally I ordered, and my tastebuds indulged in every treat listed above. That's right, I ate it all.  And I'm proud if it! My moment of weakness was so completely perfect. I will never regret it, or be shocked by the cavities which come in result to my little sweet tooth problem! (They all say the first step to recovery is admitting you haves problem).  This bakery experience would not have been possible without the sugar genius of Deirdre. Thank you for creating a beautiful bakery full of happiness! I would also like to wish Deirdre good luck, she is embarking on a new and very exciting journey. She will soon follow her musical heart and become a master pianist and tuner through an artistic school in Boston! Buenas suerte Deirdre! 

After recovering from my sugar coma, last Friday. Papa, Chloe, and I rode together once again through the rain, to a cabin around Lake Koocanosa. After arriving Chloe and I went off for a walk, somehow I ended up wandering into the bar (just out of curiosity of course). There I met two wonderful Canadian friends, Gary and Pam. The night only got better from there!

We were just about to settle in for the night when Pam knocked on our door and invited us to have dinner with her and Gary. We were  finishing our own dinner and watching Grease, but there was no way we would  turn down another meal and some friendly company! So we followed Pam over to a dinner of grilled vegetables, mint greens salad, and grilled chicken. Que rico!  Pam and Gary were taking a well deserved  holiday and  traveling on Harley's. Very cool. As the night went on Gary was finally able to persuade Pops (papas nickname, courtesy of G&P) to " let his hair down"! We moved our entire party to the waterfront and decided to have a fire because as Gary put it in perfect Canadian, "any dick on the block can have a fire, I want one with a lake front view!"  And so we did just that.  All five of us moved to the water and enjoyed a warm fuego together while watching the sunset fade behind the lake. It was such an incredible view! 

The following day was finally sunny, unfortunately it didn't last long. The weather on our trip so far has been very fickle. For example, we will have one day of perfect riding weather, with warm temperatures and clear skies. Then, next thing we know our dream day is followed by a two or three day spell of nothing but rain and cold. Not so pleasant. Luckily, yesterday (6/7) was filled with warmth and sunshine as we peddled into Glacier National Park! The glaciers here are magnificent! The landscape is honestly breathtaking. Unfortunately the glaciers are rapidly shrinking. Dan Forge, the U.S Geological Survey's resident climate watcher has stated "there were once 150 glaciers in the park. Now, there are 26 left, and we expect them all to be gone by 2030." I know earlier I mentioned how wet the weather has been, but truly we  are experiencing an increasingly dry climate. It's extremely evident when one considers the lack of ice and glacial presence on earth today. Thank you. Now, I am off of my soap box and everyone should come and see Glacier National Park before it melts away!!

Cycle-Happy,
Hannah