There were two big hikes on my list for Glacier National Park. And by “big,” I mean that they required a gentle day and plenty of hydration & fueling on the front end…and then a full day dedicated to the adventure. Given all of that and the rainy days that landed just as I arrived in the park, I figured that I would only be able to do one of them. I prioritized the trail that came more highly recommended by people who know things.

I arrived at the trail head very early in the morning and actually made my coffee on-site. Once I had the coffee and finished packing up my back, I headed to the start of the trail…and quickly found myself facing a barrier: “Trail closed due to bear activity.”

Well…I guess we pivot.

I wasn’t too upset by the pivot. The first chunk of the hike took me to the Grinnell Glacier. Many people actually hike up to the glacier, back down…and call it a day.

And that would make for a marvelous day! But why stop by going to see just the glacier? A connecting trail leads down to the lake that’s fed by the glacier.

Getting up close and personal with that lake involved pulling my socks and shoes off to traipse across a little stream, also fed by the glacier melt. The toes got very chilly, so I sat by the lake and enjoyed some sunshine while they warmed back up.

And here’s the thing about a hike like this…as you take a path that leads you to the start of something and then further along the journey, you begin to appreciate how connected the world can be.

So now, as I settle into a cozy little apartment in eastern Washington, I think back on the past three weeks of wandering and traveling and exploring. All of these moments feel disconnected from real life…but the glacier and all of the other elements that are connected remind me that everything comes together.