A Double Dose of Autumn

It's a week before I leave Glacier and I have the Monday off. Thanks to federal holidays, my last working week will be a short one. I've finished the big project I was hired to do here and got assigned three new smalls ones to finish out my last few weeks. I have one of these projects left. It's going to be a slow week, but I'll be sure to take it all in as it's gonna be my last.

I really like Montana. As the end date for my time being here gets closer and closer, I've been reflecting on my summer, the places I visited and the things I saw. Most recently, this past weekend I went to Missoula. This town is like the Austin of Montana. Instead of feeling isolated and bland, Missoula felt welcoming and full of culture. I really liked exploring the town and felt at home in this city. And a city it can be called. There was architecture, one way streets, foodie restaurants, and diversity.

I initially went down to Missoula to check out a book festival and visit a friend who goes to school there.  Unexpectedly it turned into a reintroduction into society. I was having to drive in a city. I was having to drive surrounded by other people and multiple lanes. I was having to drive and navigate one ways. I ate brunch and boy was it good. While I loved my experience at Glacier, I know that I need a little more culture around me to feel satisfied. This trip to Missoula was the perfect remedy to my judgement of Montana. Of course I loved my time here and enjoyed the scenery, but I was isolated a lot and that reflected onto my perception of Montana. Now I know, yes, Northern Montana is a little different, but there are some places I could see my myself living. Places where I could have both the culture and the beautiful scenery. Missoula. It's still very Montana while also being very likable.

Here are some pictures of activities in and near my new favorite city:

My 'Festival of the Book' loot.

Forestry Club's fall retreat. Look at that mallowtree!

Brunch. Foodie food. Gluten Free.

Sadie, the wood eating dog.

Forestry Club's playground.

This past week I also moved into a new place and have a new housemate.  We have a great maple tree and it's been amazing to watch the colors change into more of an orange than yellow. Unlike Denver and Missoula, the natural forests only contain aspen and birch trees which turn yellow. Don't get me wrong, I love this, but was satisfied with the diversity in color from my maple. It feels more like home. Here's my new home and maple:

New house.

A view from the living room. 

Now, as my blog title ensues, Glacier gets two autumns. I say double, because both trees that give the mountains some color are yellow. Around the end of September the aspen and birch turned, as they do in Colorado. Now however, around the middle of October, while the aspens have dropped their leaves weeks ago, there is another round of yellow. Like the bear grass, I'm now obsessed with this plant I am unaccustomed to.  The Western Larch. This tree is classified as a pine, but it's deciduous. It's needles turn lime green, then yellow, and then drop. Amazing!

This past week, my bosses and I went on an afternoon outing to see this natural resource at work in the North Fork area. I had been to the area a bunch of times, but not to the farthest lake. The new lake and the color of the larch were spectacular. I found a new favorite quiet place, Kintla Lake.

Driving up to Kintla in the North Fork.

Kintla Lake!

Kintla feeding into the stream.

Where the oldest Ranger lives. 93 years old and still going.

Bowman Lake in the North Fork with larch color!

But now, I finish out my week, begin to pack, and then head home. The end is here. However, my journey home will be extended as I'm taking the opportunity to travel around to other parks and enjoy their fall beauty with a friend. Denver friends and family, I'll be back on the 24th! I can't wait to see you and go to concerts!