'The Park' through others' eyes
Letters from readers, listeners, and hiking acquaintances are one of the treasured bonuses of my lifestyle. The wondrous part of the world we live in becomes even more precious when we see how others are enriched by even a brief visit. Let me share a few examples:
Dear George,
This is Jenny Jystad from North Carolina, Dan's wife. I truly enjoyed myself last Thursday. Hiking Gunsight Lake with Howard, John, Gary and Louie was great fun . . . I feel this hike was an accomplishment. I am 43 and in shape, but those guys really showed me up . . . It is something I will always be extremely proud of.
When I heard my mother-in-law "signed" me up to spend the day in the woods with strange men, I was nervous. Then when I got there you told me someone had died doing a hike 2 days before . . . and you asked if I had bear spray. I thought you were jerking my N.C. chain, but no - - - there is a real bear threat. Oh my gosh! With that my husband packs me into a strange car . . . and sends me off with 4 strange men he doesn't even know their last names. Said, "Love ya, see ya whenever!" Then I go seven miles into the forest . . . and have an absolute blast.
This will be an amazing story in Charlotte, North Carolina, because no one will even get in a car with a stranger, let alone go off for the day.
BUT we're talking about Montana and this is part of the beauty of Glacier Park.
The Over the Hill Gang and your radio commentary are the hope of our changing world. The hope that good old fashion fun and values are still out there, accessible to any person no matter who you are or where you're from . . . Thanks guys. You are the best!!!
Sincerely, Jenny Jystad
Now we have a letter from a veteran "gear jammer:"
Dear Mr. Ostrom,
My name is John Turner and I am an avid reader of your "Trailwatcher" column in the Pilot. (Son David arranged to have paper sent to southern California)
My first summer in Glacier was 1936 and I drove one of the old White Motor Touring "crankers" with magneto ignition and acetylene head and tail lamps.
Needless to say, we tried to complete our tours before dark since we usually didn't have matches to light the headlamps.
My second summer, 1937, was when the present Red Fleet was first put into operation. I was assigned #99, which I drove for the next three summers.
I remember my first white knuckle trip over Logan Pass in 1937 and praying I could negotiate all of the hairpin curves without scratching the new paint on #99 . . . but an eighteen wheeler semi three times as long???
… Just one year ago in July 2004, our son hosted a family reunion at his home in Whitefish.
One of the treks enjoyed by all was a whole day touring Glacier Park . . . It brought back a lot of memories of the glory days and all the trails I hiked every summer. I also found my old #99 and the driver was flabbergasted to meet the first driver of his bus 67 years ago.
As I rode over Going-to-the-Sun with my son, I couldn't believe I once drove the same route with a load of passengers in that "Big Red Bus." . . . . An eighteen wheeler? Your poem, "Ballad of an Eighteen Wheeler" was very clever and appropriate.
Thanks for your writings. I enjoy and relate personally to all of them.
Sincerely, John F. Turner
(Thank you John)
Finally! A letter from the Ziel family of Saginaw, Michigan, whom I helped a little in the Park July 21:
Dear Mr. Ostrom,
We had a terrific time in the Park. Our trip along the Gunsight Trail was amazing every step of the way. The side trip up to Sperry Glacier was particularly fun. It was very sunny and windy on top. After our backcountry trip we stayed in Sprague campground and took day hikes to Grinnell Glacier and Iceberg Lake.
It was at Iceberg that we were joined by mama griz and her two babies. On our way back we encountered two rangers who told us we were exiting a closed area. That was a fun day. Thanks again . . . Sincerely, Jeff Ziel.
The Ziel's, like others sent griz pictures. I've never even seen grizzlies swimming in Iceberg Lake even though I'm over 50 and been going to Glacier for 69 of those years.