Glacier National Park holds a cherished place in my heart. It was the first true “road trip” my husband and I embarked on together on our motorcycles. It was Christmas time, and as I wrapped presents and flipped through channels, I stumbled upon the opening scene of “The Shining”—not exactly a holiday classic, I know. In that moment, I saw Jack Nicholson’s character driving along a breathtaking road on his way to a lodge for an interview. I immediately called my husband into the room and declared my desire to ride my motorcycle on that very road, despite having only received my motorcycle endorsement just two months prior. He informed me that the road featured in the film was the “Going to the Sun Road” in Glacier National Park, and it was a goal well within our reach. That day, we began planning our trip for the following August. As fate would have it, we completed the journey, and it remains at the top of my list of unforgettable destinations. Upon returning home, my mother, an incredibly talented oil painter, saw my photos of St. Mary Lake with Wild Goose Island. The painting she created from that scene is one of my absolute favorites. The following year, she and I ventured back to Glacier National Park so she could experience the awe-inspiring landscape she had captured on canvas. Wouldn’t you know it, that summer, the park faced devastating wildfires, yet that did not deter us from our adventure. The “clouds” in this photo are a result of the smoke and weather patterns that wildfires often create. We took a boat tour to get closer to the steep cliffs, allowing her to see them more clearly through the haze. To our delight, the sun broke through just as we passed by a striking rock formation, illuminating it beautifully. I feel incredibly fortunate to have captured that moment. Though the colors are muted, the blue hues of the water continue to captivate me. Since then, we have returned to this magnificent park several times, each visit offering a unique experience.

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