Guest Stories: From a Newborn Adoption to Grizzly Bears

We supply a Cabin Guest Journal in both StepsAway cabins (StepsAway 254 and StepsAway 244) for our guests to make entries, telling us and future guests about their stay.  The pages provide space for the obvious – Date, Weather, Guest Names and then a few prompts for What We Did, Who I Met, Favorite Moments, and Notes.

We weren’t certain our guests would “play along”.  “Maybe it’s too hokey,” we thought.

Now that the first summer is winding down, we grabbed photos of the entries.  We were so delighted to learn that not only are our guests willing to “play along”, but that they are also excellent journal keepers – children and parents alike!  We expected them to write about their adventures in the Park, but were surprised how many understood and appreciated the cabins themselves.  We certainly were not prepared for the humor and intimacy shared in their stories.  We have absolutely loved reading these entries.

We were stunned to learn that a last minute reservation was made by a couple from the East Coast that had come out to Montana to meet their newly adopted 2-week old daughter!  The first nights they spent with her were in our cabin.  That’s a goose bump moment…

We also learned of one lucky teenager who survived his close encounter with bears of the Grizzly-kind while hiking in the Park.

Below are some of the selections delivered anonymously.  We hope you enjoy them, too!

What we did:

• Hiked in Glacier National Park -Trail of Cedars, Avalanche Lake, Hidden Lake Overlook (It was snowy on the trail)
• Had Lunch at Many Glacier Lodge
• Red Bus tour day 1 (recommend, gives great overview)
• Hiked everyday
  • Fish Lake is under-rated (really nice)
  • Avalanche (Lake) is nice (try swimming in lake –COLD)
  • High Line is harder than advertised (not for those who don’t like heights)
  • Hidden Lake has lots of wildlife @ the end
• We went to St. Marys
• We went hiking and saw lots of animals
• We went to the lakes and lodges for lunch
• We went to the farmers market and got the best huckleberry pie EVER
• And the funnest games with cards
• Red bus
• Loop drive to Two Medicine
• Avalanche Creek hike
• Boat rides – Glacier is more crowded but a grand place
• Hiked… a lot!
• We loved fishing at Avalanche Lake – caught quite a few trout.
• Swam in McDonald Creek…briefly
• Hidden Lake our 1^stday, saw a lot of mountain goats
• Did the Highline Trail (don’t be afraid of heights 🙂)
• Grinnell Glacier
• Last day swam in Lake McDonald – Fires closed “Going to the Sun Road”
• We bonded as a new family with our adopted daughter from Montana! We celebrated her 2-week birthday while here!
• We explored the park (Polebridge, Apgar and a few creek drives).
• We took a long walk from the cabin to Belton Bridge and back.

Who I met:

• Saw two black bears (from a safe distance 🙂), Chipmunks, Mountain Goats
• Bear, Moose Mountain Goat, Bighorn Sheep, Marmots, Chipmunks, and Lots of Squirrels
• We saw Marmots, Grizzly Bears, Big Horned (sic) Sheep, birds and ground squirrels
• 2 bears, mountain goat & baby, saw bighorn sheep – 1 @ Grinnell & 1 on a cliff at Logan Pass, moose, deer, … on & on!
• Son came within 15 feet of a mother Grizzly Bear & her two cubs. She looked @ him and didn’t care less – 😯, Big Horn Sheep, Mountain Goats

• We met many wonderful people along the way. We didn’t see any wildlife.

Favorite Moments/Special Highlights:

• Hiking & enjoying the beautiful nature Glacier has to offer.
• Red Bus Crown of the Continent Tour, Fish Lake
• Taking photos on hikes, seeing bears with binoculars, and playing card games
• The cabin was a lucky find (at the last minute – Glacier time). Sparkling new and with location, location and location! As good as staying in the park but will all the modern amenities.
• Grinnell Glacier hike on the east side was our favorite hike. We meant to grill out while here, but were so tired @ the end of the days, slept very well.
• Spending time with my kids & seeing their joy @ experiencing the beauty of GNP.
• Son’s face when he saw the “Griz”
• A favorite moment was family pictures at Apgar Village and the long bumpy walk to Belton Bridge. The water was so blue and the scenery was spectacular!  We will be sure to return with our daughter when she gets older. We loved it here!

And Notes (maintenance/repairs/projects/ or fun:

• We were told to wash the dishes but there was no dishwasher in the kitchen, so we washed them by hand. We washed the sheets and pillow cases.  We cleaned your kitchen and bathroom.  The clock fell off the wall, but it still works.  Overall, the place was super cute and fun, and we hope to come back here again next year if we come back.  ☆☆☆☆☆  5 stars.
• We loved the location. We loved the house. We thought we’d be missing out not staying in the park… this was way better. Just perfect for us 3. Quiet location & easy stroll to the stores/restaurants in W. Glacier.  We’d definitely return.
• The house was super clean & comfy. Very great use of space. We were grateful for a washer & dryer.
• We were here to have fun. My 1^stvacation with my children in 10 years!
• We loved everything about your place. Location is about the best you could ask for. We will be back!!
• We had laundry to do with a newborn and we enjoyed BBQ dinners out back!
• The cabin is wonderful! We felt right at home and very comfortable! This was an AMAZING place to stay!  Thank you!

To all of our guests so far, Thank You!  Our cabins are becoming more special to us with each and every memory you make in them!