Spendloves hike like some families lounge on the beach or water-ski. On Wednesday, July 5, 2017, the whole Spendlove family went hiking--although at different levels of difficulty. The fittest (and those unencumbered by little children) took on Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park. The trail was blocked by snow at its farthest reaches, but the hikers still had the thrill of traipsing across a glacier and peering down into turquoise mountain lakes. This varsity team was a multifamily group of Eberts (Steve, Camille, and Jono), Flindts (Spencer, Naomi, Kirsten, and Bryce), Jenny Spendlove, and Mike and Heidi Spendlove.
The JV team rode the Whitefish ski lift and hiked down. Team members included Eberts (Annelise, Sophia, Ezra, and Mia), Flindts (Lisa and Alyssa), the Jonny Spendlove gang (Jonny, Sam, and Henry), and the Seniors (Dave and Gretta).
The views from the top of the mountain were spectacular.
Unfortunately, there was a misunderstanding as to which trail to take down the mountain. Jonny, carrying Henry on his shoulders, asked a guide which of two trails he recommended. "One is steeper but quicker, and the other is more level, but slow," the guide commented. "Which do you recommend for us?" Jonny asked. "The steep one," the guide said. The trail we took was a black diamond ski run that descended at cliff grades. Jonny and David clung to the stroller as it catapulted downhill, and the rest of the team slipped and slid on the rocks. Annelise took on the yeoman's job of carrying Henry in her arms for several miles as the men pushed and pulled the stroller, carrying Sam, and everyone else scavenged for toe-holds on the steep hillside.
Despite the harrowing grades, the trail was gorgeous, with views down the Flathead Valley, with its many lakes, and fields of wildflowers.
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