Grandma and grandpa arrive

This is josh. So after waking up early in the morning to take a nice easy 11 mile hike through the mountains, we discover that our trail was closed due to snow. Yes, that's right, snow in july. Over 6 feet if it! A ranger told us about another hike that went to a great overlook and was still open despite being 100% covered in a 4 foot thick layer of snow and ice.  in the midst of the inevitable snowball fights, we met a couple who were in the middle of a 3.5 month national park tour! That makes our three weeks look like nothing. When we got to the overlook at the end of the trail (below), we saw a pretty intense marmot fight between three marmots (which are just big rodents). They got very close and I sat within 5 feet of one of them. They didnt mind. Another snowball fight broke out on the way back down the mountain. Of course zach, being the annoying weasel he is, started hitting me with snowballs followed by nate who fired a solid shot right at the side of my face. So I did what any reasonable little brother would do... I chased him down the mountain with two handfuls of snow. We got down the mountain wet and cold but happy to see the view. The parking lot was a shark tank. People would circle the parking lot for hours waiting to find a spot, and when an opportunity opened up, they would race each other across the parking lot rather unsafely (and quite possibly illegally) to see who could get there first. And then of course traffic got backed up because everyone wanted to get their look at the bighorn sheep that were on the side if the road.  Five peanut butter and jelly sandwiches later (not counting the rest of the family), we were ready to take our next hike. We walked by two beautiful waterfalls: St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls. On just one three mile hike we managed to eat an entire bag of goldfish and trail mix. Finally, after a long day we went across the park to Many Glacier Lodge to meet my grandparents only to find out that my dad left his wallet with our park pass in the tent. We were able to sweet talk the ranger into letting us in. The view was unbelievable as seen below. Glacier is my favorite park without a doubt. Nothing is as grand and majestic as the mountains here. I had a great prime rib for dinner and then we went back to camp. It was a tiring day but we get to relax tomorrow so I can look forward to a night in my hammock. Oh I almost forgot about the buffalo hide wallet I bought today. $40, and worth every penny. I think nate is trying to buy one too but I want to make it clear that it was my idea first. as im writing his post, there are 2 bighorn sheep in the middle of the road. Now to close on a sentimental note. I would like go quote Mr. Rapone in saying that I have found my rocky mountain high. These parks can take your breath away in a way thay nothing else can. I feel at home in these wonders of the world. If you havent been out here, go. And if you do, I guarantee you will be back.