Day 11

I realized I might have screwed up in booking a campsite.  It occurred to me that the next 6 days of the trip have no electrical hookups.  This is really no big deal comfort wise other than the issue with running down the batteries.  Indeed the Endeavor has a battery bank that runs some essentials such as the water pump, and actuators for the fridge and water heater.  Once this run down, we will lose water, refrigeration and lighting.  This could be a real problem with 4 children.  I noticed that our campsite in Gallatin Montana does have some sites with electrical hookups.  The problem is that we booked a non electric and most of the electrical hookups are for walk up only.  The solution is to buy a small generator to charge the battery banks, so she does not encounter such a scenario.  I am not sure which I will do yet.  I must think on it.

We let the children sleep late in attempt to rejuvenate them for a new hike.  We decided on Avalanche Lake.  A hike of around 6 miles round trip.  It is a popular trail, so our late start gave rise to some parking difficulty as we were late to the party. The first part of the hike led us past a roaring snow melt river, the milky blue water washing the rocks clean and round.  The trail was quite muddy from the recent rain.  We continued to climb as it was mostly uphill.  The children only complained a little.  It was soon worth it.  The trail gave way to a meadow, which gave way to a very large snow melt lake, with the mountains towering behind it like a curtain only God could make.  It was majestic and raw and peaceful all at the same time.  The shore area was quite shallow and the children wasted no time in losing their shoes and socks and wading around. The water was ice cold, but they cared not.  They quickly made friends with a Swiss family and began playing with their children.  Amy and I took some time to take in the sights and relax, smiling at the sound of children's true laughter.  We decided to head back down the trail.  We called the children and listened to them making plans to meet up with the Swiss children.  It is always amazing to me how innocent children are, and the ease in which they interact with other children with no hate or pre-judgment.  We arrived back at the campsite fairly early, and decided to take a drive on that same dirt back road.  The improved weather improved our luck.  We witnessed a Golden Eagle in its nest feeding its young, a beaver swimming around its dam, and a mother bear with two cubs.  The children were especially thrilled with the baby bears as we watched them climb trees and play.

Tomorrow we hike in a bear infested area.