Let's go!

What a great weekend! The snow was fabulous. That white, soft, fluffy stuff that drifts down as you hike and blankets everything in silence. I don't know how many times I just stood still and listened to - nothing.


I want to bottle the feeling and take it with me.

(Thanks for the photos!)

Snowed In

But wow! It is beautiful.

It has been snowing since yesterday and the forecast for the week is more of the same.

I'm kind of enjoying it although I was planning a trip to Glacier this weekend for some snowshoeing. Its possible that I won't be wanting to make that trip come Friday and that's disappointing.

I'm keeping an eye on the sky and the weather channel.

If this keeps up I might not have to go to Glacier to get some snowshoeing. Although, if this keeps up it might be a good weekend to spend with some hot chocolate and Baileys and The Shining.

♪"You say it's your birthday..."♪

Ya like my birthday present to myself?

I went snowshoeing up in Glacier over the weekend and
had such a good time I decided to buy a set.
I discovered that snowshoes tend to
make your feet stop while the rest of your
body keeps moving though - but I fell only once.

I'm going snowshoeing again this weekend plus I am
thinking of taking them back up to Glacier for my birthday
in two weeks.  I have the day off from work and snowshoeing
in the park would be a great way to spend it.
 

My weekend

Every once in a while you need a change of scenery; brush the dust off a little. I headed north toward Glacier. I took my time on the drive home and grabbed my camera to bring some of it with me.

Flathead, southwest of Glacier ParkSwan Lake

I love it here!


(Please don't remind me that I turned down a job here.)

It's official

My winter will not be spent in Glacier Park. I turned down the job with the Park Service yesterday.

While the location is an absolute dream the position wasn't one that I really wanted. Plus, new developments have made it very difficult to leave. I decided a month ago to stay in Helena and made it final yesterday when called.

I am sad that I won't be moving to West Glacier with the park as my backyard but am content here.

At least that's what I keep telling myself.

Pro's and con's

According to the National Park Service I have made it through the first selection phase of hiring (yes I do fucking ROCK!). Now I've started to think about whether I want to take the job and the pro's and con's of doing so. One, I'd get to move. On the other hand, I'd have to move, probably in the middle of winter. Plus I'm not sure how I feel about moving to an area where I know no one. This is good and bad - fresh start but it can get kind of boring too. I'd be leaving all of my friends behind here as well. I'd also be leaving behind a lot of family drama that I hate dealing with.

The job has considerable opportunity for advancement, something I don't have a lot of now but I currently work in a GREAT environment, with great people.

I'm not sure you can get a much better work environment than Glacier Park though, which is where I'd be. It would require a commute. Right now I walk about 50 yards to work and if I take this job I'd be driving from Kalispell/Columbia Falls to West Glacier everyday. I would also have access to Glacier everyday. I'd be able to hike and run in Glacier every weekend - something I would love to do.

I can't help thinking that if I'm offered the job I'd be passing up a great opportunity and a new adventure if I don't take it. I don't want to leave because I'm bored and I don't want to stay because it's easy. I've left before and come back, although when I left before it wasn't to one of my favorite places.

Since the selection process can take up to 90 days I have some time to think about it. The final result isn't up to me anyway. I've done all I can, the rest is up to the Sky Chief.

It's fall in Montana, the leaves are turning gold and yellow, the mornings crisp and cool. I am hoping to visit Glacier Park at least once again before winter closes Going-to-the-Sun road for the season. Glacier is beautiful year-round but fall is especially spectacular when Cottonwoods and aspen change to gold.

I'm looking forward to an October Saturday hiking in Glacier, one last time before winter sets in and snow covers the ground.