Majestic. Awe-inspiring. Magnificent. Grand. Stunning. Imposing. Lofty. Monumental.

These are just a few descriptive words that come to mind after seeing this beautiful American treasure in person. Seeing Glacier National Park has long been on my bucket list. As reports of shrinking glaciers due to climate change and western wildfires increased, so did my desire to see it for myself. In 1850, there were 150 active glaciers in the area comprising the park; as of 2015, the park service reported there were about 26 large enough to still be considered active glaciers. A glacier is a slowly moving mass or river of ice formed by the accumulation and compaction of snow on mountains or near the poles. What makes a glacier active is that it is still acquiring snow and moving.

My husband Wes and I set out on a driving trip last summer with three purposes in mind: 1) escape the Texas heat; 2) visit the remaining five states of the U.S. to complete my bucket list item of visiting all 50; and 3) see Glacier National Park while we could.

GNP was established as a National Park in 1910. It is a land of mountain ranges carved by prehistoric ice rivers. Along with the glaciers, it features alpine meadows, deep forests, waterfalls, and about 200 sparkling lakes. Called the “Crown of the Continent” and located in northwest Montana, the park is one of the northernmost national parks in the United States. If you choose to drive, you can plan for around 23-25 hours, but be sure to check