AlCan – Part 1: Montana

June 27 – July 7: We kicked off our epic trip to Alaska via the AlCan Highway with a trip to one of our favorite places in the world, our family lake place in Trout Creek, Montana. We took the scenic tour through Yellowstone National Park and up to Missoula, MT, then headed up to the lake. As usual, we got to visit a number of relatives with the hightlight being our son, Will and his wife Chrissy and our granddaughter Lily joined us for a week up the lake.

The Drive from Lafayette to Missoula

We have driven through Yellowstone National Park a number of times, but stayed in the Grant Village Campground for the first time and visited West Thumb Geyser Basin on Yellowstone Lake. It was off the beaten path, but well worth the stop and a great way to see the main features in YNP in a condensed version. We had a quick stop in Superior, MT to see my Aunt Geri, Uncle Emil and their daughters, Brenda and Audrey, plus Audrey’s husband, Dan.

Wyoming Highway 26 before you head down to the Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons across Jackson Lake
West Thumb Geyser Basin
Yellowstone Lake with geysers in the forground
Pool in West Thumb Geyser Basin
Mud Pots Boiling
Drive from Old Faithful to Madison Junction
Tom, Geri, Brenda, Jeanne, Emil, Dan & Audrey

The Lake

My mom and dad purchased a lake front lot on Vermilion Point almost 50 years ago. My sister, Dawn, and her husband, Dan, have taken ownership and maintained the land and their cabin for over 20 years. It is an amazing place full of family memories from the past that we shared with our kids and now they are sharing with their kids. We missed Grace, my brother, Jay, and his wife, Katharine this past weekend.