One of the challenges of this trip is getting the balance right between what the girls want to do and what we want to do. LM is easy as everything to him is playing. We can persuade him to go on a walk as it means he can play at being Lightin McQueen - racing down the trail. The girls on the other hand distinguish between play and trail walking, putting up the tent etc. After 4 hours or so of driving we decided that when we arrived at Glacier that we would just hang out by the tent for a while, first time we have done this since Byrce Canyon - (I had a rare afternoon nap). So we said the girls could play, and what did they play at - well campign !!! I put up the taup as a play tnet. They got out the sleeping bags and pillows and they took the gas stove and kettle and played at camping!
The weather has been completely freezing - which hasn't stopped us - but has made it a bit more difficult. We have been making better fires, and wearing all the clothes that we had. Didn't realise how cold until there was ice in the water carrier, on the top of the tent and in the kettle, and when we got down to the North Entrance and it was so warm we could have put on t-shirts.Stripped everybody down in the laundrette to do the washing - Edward was the new - can't remember his name, sitting there in his underwear. CT was trying to get the computer working and missed the wash so we had 3 going in all. Bit of catch up time, but the distances are always longer than you think on the way up to Glacier, wander how cold it will be up there, but is meant to be the best drive through park!!!

Some of which was guided by a pilot car!We drove to Bowman lake on the first day. Camped near the west glacier entrance, another drive in site! But the weather was warmer and clothes came off, gradually the shorts went on as we felt more confident.Set off on our walk along bowman lake with tantilising views of the mountain between the trees. Nice easy trail and got the girls to carry a bag as part of their training!

Some interesting sights along the way - some paw prints that look like mountain lion, a dead rodent and some scat - turns out the scat was bear and the prints very probably mountain lion.LM walked most of the way and so was wacked at the end of the day. Girls really enjoyed themselves on the walkNext day went up to Logan pass, and stopped at the top to go to Hidden lake - quite up hill. Saw some big horn sheep on the way up and better still some mountain goat, which looked like polar bears their coats were so fluffy and white.The view to the lake was pretty good. Headed to the other end of the park, looking for somewhere to eat - but not much choice, went into a hotel and had a burger, girls had pasta, back to supermarket for ice cream.Turned back and found Grinell glacier and a very helpful ranger to do the interview with the girls called Jennifer, she said that the bears had gone by now! Pulled over to have pancakes and then went for another little walk towards Grinell Glacier.

Got back late and had to lug the girls out of the car and put jarmies on.Glacier to Mt Helena - Volcano. Long drive from Glacier and we haven't really been planning these drives very well. The idea of turning up in a place past 6pm and finding a campsite and cooking really doesn't work. Today we took a short cut and ended up going down a loggers road - which at first we thought was a private road. So when 2 loggers trucks passed us when we were on a comfort break we turned the other way and we tried to out run them when we were in front. When they pulled over we decided not to ask if we were on the right road - they just waved and on we went! Had lunch in a park by the lake - LM wet t he seat he had been fast asleep. No2 had wet one night so things really need washing!We drove on and started to look for someone to stay around lake moses, but site either didn't take tents or looked like nasty trailer trash. At 7pm we were still looking and when we arrived at another site, I just paid the money and we went to the site, nice bit of grass, but so near the highway - it was my worse nightmare. Strictly no refunds had been written on the desk - we tried, but frankly I was beyond caring. For one night stays we either arrive before 6pm or we go in a motel. We drove on another hour and half and got a motel for $71 nites inns motel, quite nice. Kids did the usual glue to the tv and jumping on the bed - good shower . Laptop is playing up with battery not working properly and no internet access.Another drive the next day down to Mt St Helens volcano which erupted 25 years ago. Most of the drive was through a big valley with a gushing river. Stopped for lunch at about 2pm and carried on to the National Forrest. Stopped at the first campsite - iron Creek - which was a bit near the road - but not half as bad. Drove up to bear meadow where you could get a good view of the volcano. Did a short walk around the tree line. Had satay chicken - using up the peanut butter!