Home ›

On The Edge Of The Wilderness

photo of the week for Wednesday, 2013, March 13
Photographer: J. Craig Thorpe

"Wilderness Threshold" by J. Craig Thorpe, shows Amtrak's eastbound Empire Builder slowing for the stop at East Glacier Park. The historic rail station, lodge and Red bus all invite the travelers to extend the experience of community begun on the train as they visit the park. 18”x24” oil on canvas, commissioned by Amtrak in 2000, used with permission of the artist.

On the Web: www.nps.gov/glac

Comments

Submitted by Jim Burnett on March 14, 2013 - 12:41pm.

Wonderful job of capturing a classic scene!

Submitted by Moonpie on March 14, 2013 - 2:02pm.

Very, very nice painting!

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on March 14, 2013 - 2:07pm.

Check back Sunday for the story behind the painting!

Submitted by David Crowl on March 14, 2013 - 2:29pm.

Great picture...but it makes me wonder who goes to Glacier to golf (guy in lower right of painting)

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on March 14, 2013 - 2:38pm.

Golf long has been associated with the Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier, David, dating back to the 1920s in fact.

Submitted by gnrocky on March 14, 2013 - 8:32pm.

David -

I understand your point, but I'll share what I've always thought was a pretty cool memory of time spent not far from the scene in Craig Thorpe's painting - the nine-hole Glacier Park Lodge Golf Course. I have just one child, a boy, and when he was about 10 years old we took a trip on Amtrak's Empire Builder from the Seattle area to Glacier Park Lodge, arriving in the morning to a scene very similar to Thorpe's "Wilderness Threshold." It was a long weekend out, a "boys' weekend," just me and my son, for a little man-to-man bonding and a fun time. We got a couple of bunks in a compartment on the train. It was a great train ride.

At Glacier Park, my son was not too interested in hiking or even driving in a rental car up to Logan Pass. He was, however, very keen to try golfing. It was the middle of the week, and we had the whole course effectively to ourselves. I rented a power cart and two sets of clubs, and we spent the next 3 hours or so leisurely whacking golf balls all over the place and having a grand time. We saw two deer slowly stroll across a fairway in front of us, and we saw a long freight train roll by only a hundred yards or so away. The golf pro drove out to us at one point with the snack and beverage cart, and my son and I enjoyed a couple of cold sodas together.

I wouldn't trade that memory for anything.

Submitted by David Crowl on March 15, 2013 - 8:31am.

I am actually aware of the golf at Glacier. We stayed at this Lodge a couple of years ago. It was my first stay at an actual lodge associated with the National Parks. I should have been more clear...why wouldn't you go hiking, sight seeing, etc...rather than golf. I did look at the pro shop for a golf shirt while I was there. The selection of golf shirts was poor. We did enjoy the Lodge and also stayed one night at Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton. gnrocky I enjoyed your story, what a great memory.

Submitted by Jim Burnett on March 15, 2013 - 9:00am.

Some great comments and memories :-)

For those who aren't familiar with the area, the Lodge, golf course and train station are all located just outside Glacier National Park, and not on NPS property.