Chugga Chugga Whoo Whoo!

When we went to Glacier this summer, we stayed at the Izaak Walton Inn, a hotel which also has a working train yard on site. The locomotives at this station help get the trains over the mountain pass. I took this picture from the walking bridge spanning the tracks on our first evening there.



This photo is my submission for Thematic Photographic's "Transportation" theme, Unique Exposure's "Travel" photo challenge, and the Thursday Challenge's "Technology" theme. Be sure to check out each site to see more interpretations of these themes!

Feathery Flower

I took the pic of this flower when we were in Glacier this summer. The colors were so bright and the flower petals so unique I couldn't pass it up. I'd never seen a flower like it before. I was just growing on the side of the path, so it's probably a weed, but I still thought it was really neat looking.

Head on over to Thematic Photographic where this week's theme is "Flowers."

Lone Tree in the Mountains

Perceptive Perspective's theme for the week is "Nature." I'm submitting another cool nature shot I took in Glacier.

I took this as we were walking back to our van to leave Many Glacier. I happened to look to the side and saw this lone tree with the mountain behind it and thought it could make a nice composition.

Life Amidst Death

Thematic Photographic's challenge for the week is "Orange."

Here's another picture I took on our trip to Glacier. (Are you sick of these Glacier pics yet?) I love the contrast of the bright orange flowers against the drab, dead tree trunk. It makes me think of the resurrection, hope amidst despair, a light in the dark.

The Mountains at St. Mary

This week's Thursday Challenge theme is "Outdoors."

I took this "Outdoorsy" pic when we were at the St. Mary Visitor's Center in Glacier at the beginning of July. Such beautiful mountains!

Brothers on Life's Road

Paper Mama's photo challenge this week is "Buddies."

This pic I took of Oldest Son and Middle Child hiking when we were in Glacier immediately came to mind.

Mountain Goats

Simplicity's photo challenge this week is "White."

Nanny goat and kid at Logan Pass, Glacier National Park


Visit Simplicity to see more white-themed pictures.

Mountain Valley

Unique Exposure's theme this week is "Vertical Landscape."

And, guess what?! I just happen to have a pic I took in Glacier that fits the bill! :)



I really like the bowl shape formed by the glaciers with the stream running through the center.

Be sure to go to Unique Exposure to view more vertical landscapes.

C is for ...

... cascading water.

I took these pictures while on one of our hikes near our hotel. Both of them are of the same waterfall. The first was taken with a faster shutter speed, the second with a slower shutter speed. Which do you like better?





I'm partial to the second one where the water has a silky look to it.

Go to Unique Exposure to find out what else C can be for.

Contrast

As I mentioned, we did a LOT of hiking while in Glacier.

The current photo challenge theme at the Thursday Challenge is "Sports." I know hiking isn't a competitive sport, but if sports=exercise, believe me hiking qualifies! Hubby went online afterwards, and he concluded that the day I took this picture, we hiked 8-10 miles.



I just love the contrast in this image of my "small" 6'4" hubby with two of the kids set against the trees and mountains. What a reminder that we are but a tiny part in the majesty of God's creation!

Visit the Thursday Challenge to see more sports themed pictures.

Our Family on Vacation

Thanks for being so patient while I've been going through all the pictures I took while on our vacation to Glacier, cropping and editing them.

This week's photo theme at Thematic Photographic is "Family." (Click on the link to see more participants in the "Family" theme.)

I've chosen "family" as this week's Thematic Photographic theme because as time goes on, I realize little else matters beyond this. It's the one constant in most of our lives, the one foundation on which all the other good things - career, health, interests, etc. - are ultimately built. Many of us are lucky to be surrounded by strong families, while others, sadly, wish that could be the case.

Since I tend to wear the family thing on my sleeve, anyway, I thought it might be fun to explore it for the next week. As you both capture and choose which photos to share - and let's be clear, you're free to participate as often as you wish - please give some thought to the definition of family. Specifically, it doesn't always necessarily have to be someone directly related to you.

What better way to showcase some of my favorite pics of some of my favorite people from our trip?

We stayed at the Izaak Walton Inn. It had a pool table in the basement that got much use from us in the mornings, especially by our Oldest Son.

We stopped at many lakes and rivers while on our trip. The kids (and Hubby) had fun playing on their shores.

Something for everyone to do

Looking for treasures

I counted to three and all three boys were supposed to throw a rock in the water at the same time. This shot looks like an image progression of the a toss instead.

All tuckered out after a long day of hiking

The main reason we went to Glacier was to see the mountains.
(Hubby took this picture of our Middle Child at Logan Pass.)

We walked the Trail of the Cedars. Here the kids are resting like bumps on a log.

I like this pic because it shows their different personalities:Oldest=trepidacious
Younger Daughter=a bit of a diva/princess
Youngest=happy and willing to go along with whatever the big kids are doing
Oldest Son=does NOT like having his picture taken unless it's his idea
Middle Child=goofy personality and doesn't care what others think (Just look at the socks!)

Our family at Many Glacier

(We asked someone who was standing nearby to take this picture of all of us.)

Our bookend children taking a rest while on one of our many hikes