The question now is moot--wife Lynn and I now have purchased some Vasque boots.

Because, as you know, that Amtrak train arrives West Glacier after 8 pm each day, my wife and I as well will be arriving in West Glacier on 6/22/13 via Amtrak from Chicago (boarding from Glenview, IL, not downtown). For the night of the 22nd (only), we've reserved a cabin on the property of the Lake McDonald Lodge. Can't say they'd have room still, but you could call the general reservation number for the Lodge and ask. Be sure to say you're part of the RS program that's using their motel for the next 5 nights, as that might get you in. So, upon arrival we were planning to take a taxi or shuttle to the Lodge property from the Amtrak station. We'd be happy to share a ride if that would be your destination as well, if the vehicle would have room. Have not investigated that yet.

We have reservations for the night of 6/22 in the Lake McDonald Lodge Motor Inn where we will be staying for the next 5 nights with the Road Scholar program. The Glacier Park Co. runs a shuttle from the West Glacier Amtrak station (Belton) to the McDonald Lodge and charges $ 10 per person. We made resevations for the shuttle when we made our room reservation. You can make a shuttle reservation by calling the Glacier reservation line at 406-892-2525. On the Amtrak train (The Empire Builder) we will be in Car 2730 Room D (bedroom car). Are you going by coach or a bedroom on the train? Hopefully we can get together for dinner or in the club car.

Jerome, thanks for the input on the shuttle. On Amtrak, we'll be in the same car, Room C. We'll look for you after we board in Glenview.

My husband Mike and I will be arriving by car on June 23. We will have driven from Pacifica, California through Salt Lake, Sioux Falls and Keystone (where we will have enjoyed a Badlands RS tour). We look forward to meeting all of you.

I took part in one of the Glacier Programs a few years ago. In fact, at the moment the picture on the program's page is of me and another participant on one of our beautiful hikes in the park. I live in Michigan and had always wanted to travel cross country by train. So I flew out to Kalispell and then took the train Amtrak home. We were staying at Big Mountain, but I believe that there is an Amtrak station in West Glacier. So your lodge should be an easy tax ride away. I would suggest that you take the train at the end of the ride. Amtrak's on-time record is pretty poor, and you probably don't want to worry about arriving late for the program. The train that I took home was only about 2 or 3 hours late by the time we arrived in Chicago, and I was told that this was pretty good! The train ride on the Empire Builder was absolutely beautiful, with views out the windows that looked like they were pages from a scenic American calendar. Enjoy your trip!

I just spoke to the folks at National Park reservations. There is a shuttle from the West Glacier Amtrak station to McDonald lodge. $10 and it should be reserved in advance. I am thinking of arriving a day early so I don't have to worry about a late train. We also are thinking of renting a car and visiting some friends in Bozeman and flying home from there. I was told Budget rents cars at the station, but I have not confirmed this.