Two Medicine

This part of Glacier National Park is named for two Native American women, each of whom made a Medicine Lodge on opposite banks of the river.  The setting is an alpine valley carved by glaciers, with a lake that leads to a stream which eventually feeds Running Eagle Falls.

I picked a site at the lower end of the campground, near the outflow.  As it turns out, it was also near the group camping area.  A day or two after my arrival, a school bus loaded with a group of girls from the Blackfoot people arrived and began setting up camp.  I assumed that my peace and quiet would evaporate.  How could a group of girls in their early teens possibly be good neighbors?  I expected lots of loud voices, laughing, running around, etc..

I was wrong.  These girls were astonishing to watch.  They were gentle with each other.  They were quiet and respectful of the wilderness setting they were in.  Yet, this was not due to strict discipline.  The calm confidence that radiated from them all demonstrated that very clearly.  They were assured of self and at home in the environment.  This was, after all, their home.

I know I could learn much about good parenting from spending time with them.  Somehow, a single old man intruding on a retreat of young girls might not have been appreciated, so I just observed from a distance.  Their leaders and their parents are to be commended.

Most of my stay at Two Medicine, it was cloudy and raining, even when everyplace else in the northwest was showing as clear on the weather maps.  I had a few nice days, though.  On the first of them, I had attended a program put on by a Ranger.  He spoke about bears in the park, and conveyed a lot of good info (and some fun stories) about them.  Leaving the campfire after the program, I hustled back to my site to get my camera.  Mist was rising over the lake.  I got back just in time.

The next day, Pat's teaching paid off.  I went for a hike, and encountered a good sized black bear.  I knew just how to behave, I kept my distance, and the bear kept his.

As I watched, he would look at me, to be sure I was not misbehaving, I guess, then he would continue feeding.  After watching him for 5 minutes or so, I retreated back into the forest and hiked back to Enterprise.