First, quarter turn bridge; an actual curved bridge over McDonald creek just at the confluence with the Middle Fork of the Flathead River.  The structure is amazing and the location completely quiet, just one fisherman a bit down river.  I notice he’s on his phone, we have four bars.  This will likely be one of the prettiest cell phone booths we’ll visit this trip!  We move on to recommendation 2, Rocky Point Trail just above Fishing Creek Campground.  We twist through the heavily wooded NW shoreline of Lake McDonald and pop out on the namesake rocky point above the lakeshore.  It is a bit overcast but the view is still lovely.  The return hike brings us to just over 4 miles for the day so far.  One more stop, The Polebridge Mercantile, highly recommended for its bakery.  We bump our way out Outside North Fork Road about 7 miles paved and 10 miles minimally maintained gravel.  A collection of small businesses includes outfitters and guides and our targeted stop, The Mercantile.  We get a bonus, the Northern Lights Saloon, they have cocktails and local drafts plus an interesting lunch menu.  We know we’ll be back but check out the bakery first where we emerge with a huckleberry rollie, fruit fritter, and a poppyseed and chocolate rollie.  Then it’s back to the Saloon and lunch: Me-Glacier Lily cocktail of gin, elderberry and lemon.  Carol-Montana Mama featuring huckleberry and vodka.  The drinks are followed by shared plates of smoked elk quesadilla and a smoked elk huckleberry BBQ sandwich.  I just have to swing back by the mercantile for a huckleberry macaroon.  Ok, heading home.  Bumpity bump. What a great day so far.

Back at camp we check out the evening ranger program which chronicles the role and impact of people in the Glacier Park area through the years.  Interesting and nicely presented.  A cheeseboard and wine close out the day.