Living & Working in Great Places

Newbie to Glacier, please share info. First step of second half of life.

Hi everyone,
This will be my first trip to Glacier. Front desk McDonald lodge. At forty-something years old this is a very big step for me. I’m not sure what clothes to pack. I’m guessing what works here in Louisiana will not be warm enough in Glacier. I also don’t know how much room I’ll have for clothes storage. The only thing I know about is I will be staying in the employee housing for McDonald. Position is front desk, which is somewhat scary after reading about Debby’s experience with the “huge amount of complaints.” And I’ll be flying in.
I’m very excited to be taking this first step into the second half of life, but scared also. Any advice would be greatly welcomed. This will also be my first trip to Glacier. Please help a newbie!
Will anyone advice me as to what I’ve jumped into.

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Permalink Reply by Karen on April 20, 2008 at 3:47pm: Somewhere on this website is a nice list of what to bring. I don't remember where it is and I have dug around with no luck. Did Glacier send/email you a list of things you should bring?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carolann on April 20, 2008 at 4:32pm: Hi Karen,

Thank you for the reply. A short nonspecific list. If you happen to find that list please let me know where it is.
Have you worked in Glacier?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Karen on April 20, 2008 at 5:05pm: No, I haven't worked for Glacier yet. This is my first year doing any seasonal work. I am going with my fiance, Sid, who will also be working at Glacier. He is new to seasonal work as well. So, we will have to meet up and share stories. I will let you know if I find that list. I have not heard many good things about the dorm housing at Glacier, to be honest. I can't remember where I saw some of these comments about it, though. What I have read in various places is that the dorms can be quite the party place. Maybe alot of late nite noise. I do know a couple people on Coolworks who stayed there and they said it was not so hot. But...........on a positive note, you can visit us at the RV park and I think there will be so many things to do that it will outweigh any bad things. As with most things in life, it seems to me, you take the good with the bad. I really wouldn't let this scare me off. This will be an adventure of a lifetime. And remember, it has got to be an experience looked at in many different ways by many different people. I will continue to look for that list.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carolann on April 20, 2008 at 5:43pm: I do think this will be a summer I’m going to look back on with lots of great memories. What made you and Sid decide to do seasonal work? If I remember correctly you, Sid and your dog are rv’ing in from the east. That sounds wonderful. I was planning to drive up, but I let my daughter talk me out of taking such a rode trip by myself. Maybe next year. I look forward to meeting ya’ll.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Karen on April 20, 2008 at 6:39pm: Sid & I live in a small Northern Wisconsin town and both really long to just get away and see different places. He is semi-retired and wants to travel. So we decided to try this. The kids are all grown now so it is a good time. Yes, we will be staying at the RV park in our camper. I think it would be a nice drive from Louisiana, but maybe not so safe for one person. I guess I wouldn't want to do it, either. Where in Louisiana are you from? When do you start? Still searching for the site with the list.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carolann on April 20, 2008 at 8:27pm: Home is north Louisiana. My children are also grown, so now seems to be the time to get out and see this country we call home. I start mid May and will stay til the end of the season. Are you also semi-retired? I guess I could say I am. I’ve done upholstery work for the last 19+ years, and am in the last year of a business degree.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Joan Meyer on April 20, 2008 at 8:59pm: Hi Karen,
I,ve worked at Glacier among other Parks doing seasonal work and from what I read in your note to Nellie I know you are going to love it. You sound like you have a great attitude! Living in your RV with Sid and your dog is a great way to do this work. You can participate as much or as little as you want in tne social life. I haven't read a lot of positive things about the Glacier dorms either so I hope Nellie will be OK. Nellie, maybe ear plugs and a sleep mask should be included on that list your looking for. Good luck!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Karen on April 21, 2008 at 6:28am: Yes!! Earplugs and maybe a little IPod would be good. I actually bought a little generic IPod for like $15 just for when I walk. It would be nice for you to have. Do you have access to something like that? You could download some music to relax you at night in case the night noise gets to be too much.
We are absolutely looking forward to this. No, I am not semi-retired. I finished a degree in Accounting a little over a year ago, but there are just no jobs around here, so I will just take it with me and work seasonal. Carol, you are right, this is the time!! They say we don't regret the things we have done nearly as much as the things we have not done. I will look for you when we get out there. We are leaving May 5th and gonna see some stuff on the way out. Sid has to start May 14th, but I don't start until May 21st. I work til Oct. 2nd and he works til Oct. 17th. Still looking for a nice list, but some of the stuff I heard is battery operated alarm clock and earplugs...Joan is soooo right.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ann Carr on April 21, 2008 at 8:31am: The rooms at McDonald for the employees are smaller than those at East Glacier so you will definitely need ear plugs and an IPod would be a great idea. Almost non-existent space for clothing... best thing to do is wait to you get there and then figure out what you need for storage. There are several great thrift shopts in Kalispell to find stuff. As to what you will need clothes wise.... bring a warm jacket. Coming from the south you will be amazed at just how cold it seems to someone who has lived their life in humidity and heat. If you have curly hair now, expect it to not be so curly... Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize...Sun screen, sun glasses, dressing in layers (t-shirt/light fleece jacket/jacket). Be sure to bring something from home that will make your room - home. Your favorite down pillow and maybe your favorite blanket, photos of family and friends.

Also, don't forget - you can ship whatever you want to yourself care of the McDonald Lodge and it will be there waiting for your arrival. This is a great way to get that comforter you will need and any other bulky items to yourself without having to carry them on a plane. The good news is that the Lodge is gorgeous and sits right on the lake, trail heads are numerous and the fishing is good. You don't even have to have a fishing license to fish there. Coming from the Big Thicket to an even bigger thicket will have you amazed - no cedar pollen at Lake McDonald. Because you are the western side of the mountains, the air will have a clarity like no other. It is almost a rain forest. Enjoy your time at Glacier and don't forget your camera.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Karen on April 21, 2008 at 12:39pm: I was hoping Ann would reply to this, because I remembered that she had stayed in the dorm. I realized after reading over the letters, (and Sid reminded me) that you were staying at McDonald, not Glacier. Still, I think all I said holds true and you will enjoy your summer. The shipping idea sounds so great since you are taking a plane. And I remember someone else mentioning in an earlier discussion that having your own bedding is nice. It may have been Ann in that discussion, too. I know you aren't going to have a vehicle, but maybe a few people can pool together where you are at and make the trip to Kalispell for needed items.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Britt on April 21, 2008 at 12:39pm: Hi Nellie,

I worked at Lake McDonald Lodge last year, and must say that you are in for a wonderful experience! I wouldn’t worry too much about your front desk job - the folks who worked there last year were great. Besides, the first few weeks are a bit slow so you will have time to get comfortable in your position before things get too crazy.

As far as packing goes, I drove my car from Ohio last year and didn’t use half of what I brought. You will basically have a small dresser and one large drawer to lock up valuables, so there isn’t really room for non-essentials. Besides uniform requirements, I would bring clothing items that can be mixed, matched and layered. A pair of jeans, a casual sundress, a pair of hiking pants, several tops, a fleece or sweatshirt and a jacket should be sufficient. There are free washing machines on site so you just need to pack enough clothing for a week or so. If you find yourself without a wardrobe essential, the camp store sells t-shirts, hats, and jackets at a discount for employees. Bring hiking boots and a pair of sandals, a couple of bath towels, shower shoes, a shower caddy, a pillow and a light blanket. The outdoor gear you bring will depend on your interests, but a small backpack and water bottle, or a hydration bladder are must haves.

Be sure to bring a few good books to read beside the fireplace in the lodge, a journal, camera, phone cards, and few items to keep you entertained. If you like the water, bring a swimsuit and maybe an inflatable raft. A sleep mask and ear plugs are lifesavers for light sleepers.

My best advice is to overlook the small inconveniences, and enjoy every minute of your time in Montana! I regret not doing as much as I would have liked, so make it a point to get away from the lodge on your days off and see the wonderful things that the park has to offer. If you want to see pictures of the actual dorm rooms, let me know and I can email you some pics. Also, here is a list of what to bring, although it doesn't seem too helpful:

http://www.gpihr.com/bring.asp?CO=USAis

Happy packing!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carolann on April 22, 2008 at 9:46pm: Thank you for the info. Do you remember if there is cell phone serve at the lodge? What do you think about bringing my laptop?; ▶ Reply to This