We had the buffet breakfast in the lodge at 7:30. We got the time wrong and
thought it was 7 so we went down and had coffee instead and waited. It was the
traditional American breakfast - eggs, bacon, hash browns and yummy. After
breakfast we had signed up for a moderate hike with a botanist. Ananda was a
twenty something who went beyond our expectations. She stopped and identified
every single plant and shrub along the way, it was totally enjoyable. We ate
from the plentiful blueberry bushes, cranberries, etc We saw miniature azaleas,
miniature dogwood, miniature birch and other plant species including the bear
favorite, the soap berry. This is a small bush with edible but soapy
tasting red berries. We had a turkey wrap box lunch on the river before turning
around and going back the way we came. It started raining on the return trip,
sometimes it rained pretty hard but the walk was totally worth it. Door to door
was 7 hours time although we only covered 5 miles on the trail. Our van ride
back was an unexpected wildlife treat. we saw one moose along side the lake on
the other side and then a moose next to the road with his whole head in the
water. Ananda told us what he was eating in the water but I didn't remember
the name of the plant. That night we had a family style dinner. I chose the
Cod which was a little dry but fine. At the beginning of our hike Libbie lost
the screw to her glasses which meant the lens fell out. She was one eyed the
entire hike. At the clubhouse we found a guy, John, who was traveling with his
grandsons. His wife was an optometrist. He temporarily fixed her glasses with
a paper clip and needle nose pliers. We hope they stay together. We had an
evening presentation by Chris of wolves in the park. This young man is
passionate about wolves. I fell asleep through part of the presentation. it
was dry.