Last Hurrah

Reality is sinking in.  
Only two more days with the characters in Room 20 and five more as a resident of East Glacier.  East Glacier's community is comprised of the most inspiring conglomerate of humans.  Some were born and raised here, some wandered from the Midwest just like yours truly, some fell in love and never left; whatever the reason, I'm happy we all ended up in this teeny-tiny town resting on the fringe of Glacier National Park.  As the summer crews roll in and businesses slowly open for the season, it tugs at my heart strings to have to pack up and say goodbye as the town is gradually coming back to life just like the wildflowers and the trees.
Wildflowers blooming in East Glacier
At school, things definitely feel like they are FINALLY winding down.  The end of the year checklists are a bit stressful so thankfully we've had a great couple of weeks taking our 6th grade field trip and celebrating 6th grade graduation!

6th Grade Field Trip: St. Mary, GNP

 Room 20 joined the other five 6th grade classes for the annual field trip to St. Mary, GNP.
Led by the fabulous Ranger Bridget, we hiked the 3 mile Beaver Pond Loop, identifying trees and wildflowers while learning about Fire Ecology.
Ranger Bridget leads the 6th Graders

Identifying trees
This tree MIGHT throw apples at us!
Beaver Pond
It was a spectacular day.  Towards the end of the hike, we scurried down to a beach on St. Mary Lake so the students could skip stones.

Skipping Stones, St. Mary Lake
Students were fascinated by the rocks on the beach and continued to find interesting ones so we made a pile and the rangers helped identify them.  Removing anything from GNP is prohibited so we collected our favorites and took a photo to remember. 

Room 20 Rock Collection, can you see the heart and butterfly?
The gals :)
Ranger Bridget's only rule was that no body parts go in the water.  The students obeyed for a few minutes and then once someone had the crazy idea to stick his head in the water, well, almost all of the students had to do the same!


Students getting their heads wet - crazy - that water is COLD!
The field trip was so much fun.  I enjoyed being able to step back and watch the students socialize with students in other classes outside of Napi Elementary's playground.  All that lovely fresh air made us all want to take naps on the bus ride home!

6th Grade Graduation

Friday, May 30 was 6th Grade Graduation.  
The gym was filled with proud parents and the students nervously shook the Principal's hand as they graciously accepted their diplomas.  Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of the ceremony but I'm hopeful that my students will send some that their families took!  Hint hint!!!  
After graduation, we had cake and punch in the classroom, it was packed, wall to wall with beaming students and their proud families.

Beautiful cake for our celebration
In a battle of boys vs girls, the students competed to see who could make the best 6th Grade Graduation Banner!

Girls Banner 
Boys Banner
Full house in Room 20, thank you to all who attended!
6th Graders ready to graduate!

Graduation definitely made it feel like the school year is over but thankfully, we have two more days.  I'm not quite ready to say good-bye.

Hiking: Scenic Point

I'm also not quite ready to say good-bye to East Glacier.  The past 9 months have been fabulous but my house is a vacation rental in summer so I must move on.  If you're planning a trip out here, dear reader, I highly recommend renting the place - tons of space (sleeps 6-8), gorgeous yard, minutes from Two Medicine, lovely views from the front porch, and best of all, walking distance from Serrano's.

Two Medicine
Thanks to my awesome neighbors, Kat and John, the last hurrah hike of my East Glacier residency was the quintessential East Glacier hike - start at Scenic Point in Two Medicine and walk right back to town.  Well, sort of.  Kat and I made a wrong turn and ended up walking out by the East Glacier cemetery.  When you plan to hike 10 miles, what's two more?!

Famous tree on the Scenic Point Trail
Fascinated by these trees

The hike was absolutely stunning.  
The sun felt incredible and warmed up the juniper giving the trail a sweet smell.


Kat and Nat, Scenic Point
Sheep!
Moss growing on a dead tree
Not sure how this happened, do you know?
Sure we had to walk through and sometimes around snow, had several encounters with sheep,  and crossed two creeks causing the last 5 or so miles to be conquered with wet and muddy socks but that's all part of the gloriousness of Spring hiking in GNP.
Snow and high creeks

It was a fabulous day for wildlife as well.  
In addition to sheep, we saw 2 moose, a bear (from the car), chipmunks, and lots and lots of cows.

Two Medicine from the real Scenic Point
Facing East
Scenic Point was the perfect hike to remind me why I've fallen in love with Montana.  I'm terrible at good-byes so I've decided I'll be giving East Glacier a big, fat, "See you later."

-Natalie

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