jesse and diane: Jesse and Diane 40th Wedding Anniversary, August 22, 2014

We started planning our 40th Anniversary a year in advance. Jesse asked me where I wanted to go and I said, "Glacier National Park!" We have always wanted to go and now seemed like the perfect opportunity. My "plan ahead" husband got right on it and made the reservations a year in advance.

We flew to Kalispell, Mt. on August 22,2014 and then rented a car for the trip. Our first stop was MacDonald Lodge inside Glaicer National Park. This Lodge just celebrated it's 100th Anniversary this summer. The construction consisted of Red Cedar from the surrounding area.

For two days the tops of the mountains were pretty socked in with clouds. We still managed to see some beautiful scenery, waterfalls, peaks, glaciers, bears, mountain goats, wild flowers and gorgeous blue water from the flowing glaciers. These views from Many Glaciers area reminded us of being in the Swiss Alps.

We loved the hike to Iceberg lake which was ten miles round trip. Wild flowers covered every meadow.

The Glaciers of GNP are disappearing quickly due to climate change. This was very apparent in the pictures displayed inside of each lodge we stayed in.

Waterton National Park in Canada blew us away with its splendor. The Prince of Wales hotel charmed us with its breathtaking location on the brow of a hill overlooking Waterton Lakes. This 100 year old hotel surrounds the guests in English atmosphere, tea time, and royal decor.

We attended the Cardston, Alberta Canada temple which is reminiscent of the earlier temples built by the Church.

Our next stop took us to Lake Louise where Jesse really spoiled his wife of 40 years! The Chateau Lake Louise was gorgeous and so were the glaciers, flowers, hikes and food. We couldn't believe it had taken us so long to visit these world-famous places so close to our home.

Lake Moraine is smaller and a darker blue than Lake Louise. Hidden glaciers lie beneath the rocks and gravel moving down the Mountains. The Canadian Rockies are heavily wooded due to lower temperatures and a short summer season.