These wonderful Ford buses (they have over 30) have been taking passengers up the roads since the 1920s. They are now powered by propane. They hold 18 people including the driver. We took the three hour tour since we had reserved at a campground in Idaho for tonight. Three hours was just enough - how many more gorgeous scenes can the eyes handle? Our driver was quite knowledgeable but admitted that after three years of driving the Red Bus there were things he did not know. We stopped at several places for photos and to take in the marvels of construction in the early 20th century.
First stop was Lake McDonald. It was early and cool so few people were on the lake.
Next stop was an historic hotel: Lake McDonald Lodge. The story of its construction is unique - there were no paved roads to use for transporting building materials BUT the lake froze the winter before they were hoping to start construction so they brought all the materials by sled across the lake. It is truly amazing to see the construction knowing modern day equipment was not available. Impossible to get a photo of the whole building - but you get the idea.
The three story lobby has deer heads, elk heads, moose heads, whole cats and my favorite: the mountain goat!
Several more stops to admire waterfalls, the river (Middle Flathead), more mountains, and the overall beauty of the Park.
The above photos were taken before we started the climb to the Sun. The driver stopped and pointed out something shiny way up the mountains - that was the road we were to take! I made sure I was sitting in an inside seat...
The Indians believed their Sun God taught them what they needed to know to live off the land and when he was done he climbed this mountain and went back to the sun!
Look how close he got to SNOW!!!
More snow - looks like it rarely melts.
The Red Bus is open to the sun and after about three hours I fell asleep! Few photos on the road down.
There are glaciers on the other side of these mountains.
The park is NOT named for glaciers within the park but for the glaciers that formed the mountains thousands of years ago.
There is more to see - we shall return someday!
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