Climb to the Clouds at Glacier

It is early summer here at Glacier National Park. This landscape, layered in snow for most of the year, has finally begun its annual cycle of thaw. Melting snow and ice reveals large swaths of the mountainside, much of which is already carpeted in green. Long stretches of rivers and waterfalls tumble through the scenery, making their way down from the mountain peaks and spilling out into the various lakes below. At this time of day, with the final rays of sunlight peaking through the rocky terrain, the sound of the flowing water takes on an ethereal quality. The perfect soundtrack for an evening under the stars. So as we settle in, let's begin tonight's journey with a brief wind down exercise. Tonight's exercise is a really simple breathing exercise. So when you're ready, let's begin. So first, get yourself comfortable. Now just bringing the attention to the breath, just noticing where you feel it, in the nose, the throat, the chest, the diaphragm. You're nice and relaxed. We're going to be taking a deep breath in for four, holding it for four, and then breathing out for six. So are you ready? Let's begin in for four, two, three, four. Hold it for four, two, three, four. Now breathing out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four. Holding for four, two, three, four. Out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four. Holding for four, two, three, four. Out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four. Holding for four, two, three, four. Out for six, two, three, four, five, six. Great, now returning the breath to normal. In the early evening light, a wooden guideboat named the Sinopah steers out onto Two Medicine Lake. The wake ripples gently behind the boat, shimmering. An osprey soars overhead, its wings flickering over the surface of the water. Fleeting as a dream, the bird disappears into the fog around Rising Wolf Mountain. Visitors with binoculars stand quietly on deck, watching the bird vanish into the fog bank as a tour guide explains the rich history of the lake. They wear sweaters in the cool air. There's a hush over everything as they admire the sun, falling gold and orange over the water. As the boat steers around the lake, the setting sun illuminates the aspen trees with their markings like curious eyes. On the west side of glacier, the sun is setting over Lake McDonald. In autumn, leaves drift down, resting on the surface of the water, floating for a moment before sinking. The long, deep lake glistens; the centerpiece of a sweeping valley carved by glaciers and strung with waterfalls that tumble into the lake below. Alpine glow dyes the slopes of Stanton Mountain a deep purple and the pale surface of the water reflects the mountain back to itself like a mirror. Old growth forests soften against the mountain slopes, rippling in the...