Matt Oliver – Pick-up and a Pop-up

Glacier National Park – Sperry Chalet

Posted on August 2, 2025 by Matt Oliver

Some of my colleagues may remember that back in February, I scheduled meetings around a very specific event—the opening of reservations for Sperry Chalet. Matt and I had been trying to snag a reservation there for years. As soon as the booking window opened, we both jumped online… and struck out. Still, I wasn’t giving up. I kept checking the site, hoping for a cancellation—and finally, weeks later, I got one! I surprised Matt with a handmade card that read, “We’re going to Sperry for two nights!” It’s been displayed on our fridge ever since.

July 16: The Journey Begins

We woke up very early on July 16 to begin our hike to the historic Sperry Chalet. By 7:30am, we were on the Gunsight Pass Trail, ready for the nearly 15-mile trek. Rain the day before had left the trail WET, so we geared up in our rain gear. The thimbleberry plants lining the trail were wildly overgrown—at times, towering over my head—and soaking wet, drenching us as we pushed through for about six miles.

Eventually, we emerged at beautiful Gunsight Lake. It was our first major payoff giving us crystal clear water surrounded by peaks and worth every muddy step. Matt even managed to fish for a few peaceful minutes before we continued on.

As we climbed toward Gunsight Pass, the trail followed the lake, growing steeper and more dramatic. Waterfalls cascaded down the cliffs, and we had the entire trail to ourselves. Higher up, we carefully crossed several snowfields using crampons which was thrilling and nerve-wracking. We passed freshly overturned boulders, a sign that bears were nearby.

At the summit, we were rewarded with jaw-dropping views of the next valley, where Lake Ellen Wilson shimmered below. The descent into the valley was steep, and I actually got emotional as I hiked down, overwhelmed by the beauty of it all. The trail then climbed again toward Lincoln Pass, leading us through alpine meadows where it felt like a mountain goat was our welcoming committee guiding us.

And then, at last, Sperry Chalet came into view.

We checked in, dropped our gear in our room, and settled in for a dinner with two other couples—fellow hikers who quickly became trail friends. Our room was rustic (no electricity, no plumbing, with composting toilets down the path), but comfortable.

July 17: Sperry Glacier via Comeau Pass Hike

After a hot breakfast the next morning, we set out for Sperry Glacier via Comeau Pass, a stunning 9-mile round-trip hike. The trail led us past alpine ponds and through terrain dotted with—you guessed it—SO MANY MOUNTAIN GOATS, including baby goats bouncing along the rocks.

Just before the pass, we had to climb a stone staircase chiseled into a steep rock wall. It was sketchy but exhilarating, and the view from the top was unreal. We crossed at least six snowfields before reaching the glacier itself. With thunderheads starting to roll in, we didn’t stay long before heading back.

That evening brought another cozy dinner and new conversations with fellow hikers.

July 18: Down the Mountain and Beyond

On our final morning, we ate breakfast, said goodbye to our new friends, and began the 7-mile descent down Sperry Trail to Lake McDonald. Along the way, we snacked on fresh thimbleberries, raspberries, and salmonberries growing trailside. Once at the lake, we celebrated with pizza and huckleberry lemonade, exactly what our tired bodies needed. I took a quick dip in the cold lake while Matt did some fishing. Then we hopped on the shuttle toward Logan Pass.

Even with heavy packs, we decided to knock out one more iconic Glacier hike: the 3-mile round-trip to Hidden Lake Overlook. The climb felt tougher with all our gear, but once we reached the overlook, we instantly understood the trail’s popularity. The lake was serene, flanked by towering peaks, and yes, more mountain goats awaited us there too.

After a snack break, we made our way back to the Logan Pass Visitor Center to catch a final shuttle back to our truck at the Gunsight Pass trailhead.

Final Thoughts

Whew. We covered nearly 35 miles over three days and crossed through some of the most breathtaking landscapes we’ve ever seen. Pictures can’t come close to capturing the beauty or the magic of the experience. Sperry Chalet was everything we hoped for and more. A truly unforgettable adventure.

Get ready for some amazing pictures!

Starting our hike to Sperry Chalet!

Bushwacking through the thimbleberry

5 miles of bushwhacking through these plants!

Arriving at Gunsight Lake

Fishing

Heading up to Gunsight Pass

Views of Gunsight Lake

We keep climbing…hoping we aren’t bear snacks.

Amazing views of Gunsight Lake

Getting closer to the pass with Gunsight Lake in the background

At the top of Gunsight Pass. This is the hiker’s hut you can use in case of bad weather! I had cell service here and couldn’t help but start texting the kids pictures.

First look at Lake Ellen Wilson

Coming from Gunsight Pass into Lake Ellen Wilson

Waterfalls everywhere

Korin crossing a waterfall

Looking back at the saddle of Gunsight Pass

Epic views!

The mountain goat leading us to the chalet!

Sperry Chalet!

Not much to it, but still amazing

Sperry Chalet dining room

Start of our hike to Comeau Pass and Sperry Glacier

Mountain goat!

Mountain goats with BABIES!!!

Almost to Comeau Pass

They are everywhere!

The sketchy stairs to the top of Comeau Pass

Sperry Glacier

We made it!

Heading back down the sketchy stairs to the chalet

I love them…

If you look closely, you can see the chalet!

Posing goat

The chalet from the Sperry Trail as we head towards MacDonald Lake.

Snacking on berries as we hike down.

Made it down!!!

Rewards are a must…

PIZZA TIME!!!

Lake MacDonald

Mountain goats as we hike to Hidden Lake

Hidden Lake

We made it back to the Gunsight Pass Trailhead!

Glacier National Park: St. Mary’s

Posted on August 1, 2025August 1, 2025 by Matt Oliver

We arrived at the St. Mary Campground in Glacier National Park late in the afternoon, with just enough time to explore the campground and get a feel for the surrounding area. The next morning, we set out early to hike the 11.2-mile Siyeh Pass Loop. The trail was bursting with wildflowers, and we were lucky enough to spot several snowshoe hares along the way.

Although the view from the pass was completely fogged in, making it hard to see anything beyond the mist, we took a break there to rest and enjoy some snacks. As we descended, the clouds began to lift, revealing stunning waterfalls and eventually the blue of St. Mary Lake below. We finished the hike at Sunrift Gorge, feeling tired but accomplished.

The following day was a total washout with nonstop rain, so we made the most of it by driving to Kalispell. We did laundry, picked up some rain gear, and ended the day by watching the new F1 movie.

St. Mary’s Campground

Beginning the 11.2-mile Siyeh Pass Loop!

Wildflowers!

We made it to the top!

The view we worked so hard to see.

Hiking down towards St. Mary’s Lake.

We made it down to Sunrift Gorge!

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Posted on July 31, 2025August 1, 2025 by Matt Oliver

This was our second visit to the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We first stopped here back in 2019 on route to Glacier National Park, and we were excited to return. This time, we stayed at the Medora Campground, arriving in time for dinner before heading into the park for what we like to call “animal hour”—that magical time in the evening when wildlife becomes most active. Our first stop was Prairie Dog Town, always a lively and entertaining place. From there, we drove to the Beef Corral Bottom area, where we witnessed hundreds of bison migrating from east to west, making their way toward the Little Missouri River.

Next, we walked the Wind Canyon Trail, which led us to a breathtaking overlook of the river. From that vantage point, we could see the entire bison herd crossing the water below. As the sun went down, we took a slow drive along the Scenic Loop in search of wild horses. Sure enough, we spotted several grazing in the open landscape. Just before returning to camp, a gray coyote darted across the road, capping off an incredible first evening.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park continues to impress us. It’s a hidden gem that deserves far more attention than it gets.

Bison in the Beef Corral Bottom area

Wind Canyon Trail

Bison crossing the Little Missouri River

Wild Horses

Start of Summer 2025

Posted on July 31, 2025July 31, 2025 by Matt Oliver

We’ve had so many unforgettable summers camping and traveling through National Parks with our kids. Over the years, we managed to visit all but two of the parks in the lower 48, along with countless beautiful State Parks along the way.

But we always knew this day would come…

Summer 2025 looks a little different—it’s just Matt and me hitting the road. Samantha is off completing an internship at the University of Delaware, and Elijah is busy working as a lifeguard for the Delaware State Beach Patrol (DSBP).

So if you’re reading this, you’re stuck with me as your blog writer this summer. You won’t find Sam’s beautifully curated posts or Eli’s hilarious commentary—but I’ll do my best to keep you along for the ride!

Home!

Posted on August 7, 2023 by Matt Oliver

After 49 nights away, we made it back in our home state of Delaware. This year we were blessed to see our parents, sister Kathleen and brother-in-law Steve, sister Kristin and brother-in-law Logan, sister Amber and brother-in-law Jon, niece Katie, nephew Josh and the Blackwell family. Matt drove coast to coast which included 17 states. We visited 2 countries, 5 National Forests, 1 State Park, 1 National Monument, 1 National Historical Landmark and 2 National Parks. The summer of 2023 will go down as the most unpredictable. We had 6 cancelled camping reservations, one seven-day in bed sickness (Eli), one broken hose in the bathroom, a broken black tank washout hose, 3 holes in the camper roof membrane, a lost sway bar, and a truck that was in the shop for 28 days. Despite the unpredictable, we are still grateful for the time to see family and relax in amazing places.

God has created beautiful places in this country, go out and see them!!!

Home!

28 days at the dealer…thank goodness for Dad Oliver’s truck!

Broken hose in the bathroom.

Broken hose for the black tank wash out.

fixing the holes in the roof.

Snowshoe, West Virginia

Posted on August 5, 2023 by Matt Oliver

Eli and Matt had so much fun downhill mountain biking in Mammoth that we decided to make Snowshoe Bike Park, in West Virginia our last summer stop. Snowshoe has nearly 40 trails and a decent of 1,500 feet. The town is on top of the mountain which allows you to ride down and take the chairlift back up. The boys geared up on Eli’s birthday for a full day of bike runs. When I asked Eli about the biking he said, “Very fun. Very tiring. Almost died.” Sounds like a great 15^th birthday, don’t you think?

Eli riding

Ready to go!

Riding the lift back up

Our campsite

Green River Lakes, Wyoming

Posted on August 2, 2023 by Matt Oliver

We drove through Pinedale, Wyoming, as we left the Grand Tetons last summer. Matt saw the mountains there and started doing some research. He stumbled upon the headwaters of the Green River, which eventually runs down into the Colorado River. To get there meant a two-hour ride on a rough dirt road, but he talked me into it!

We hung around Mammoth Lakes, CA, as long as we could, hoping to hear that our truck was finished, but even after a few extra days, they were still waiting on parts. So, instead of heading north to the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho, we cancelled our campsite and headed straight for Wyoming using Dad’s truck. The first night we made a quick stop in Nevada, and the second night we stayed in Pinedale, Wyoming, at the Yellowstone RV Campground. While making an online reservation, the system asked me if I would like to “add on” a hot tub to be delivered to our campsite. I went for it! How often do you get to sit in a hot tub at your campsite?

The following day we set off for the Green River, and after a very long two hours on a terrible dirt road, we made it! The payoff was a gorgeous lake and very few people! We set up camp, went to the lake, and waited for my sister, Kathleen, and brother-in-law, Steve, to arrive. The week was spent fishing, hiking, eating in our bug-free tent, floating down the river, playing cards, and sitting by the fire. We loved having Steve and Kath’s dog Ozzy with us through the week. One day we hiked to Upper Green Lake, which was beautiful despite the rain. The following day we hiked to Porcupine Falls, and although we didn’t get a good view of the falls, it was still a fun day together.

The week was relaxing, and it felt weird but wonderful not to be connected to cell service for nearly seven days. Unfortunately, as we headed back into Pinedale, a deer jumped in front of Steve and Kath’s car. Thankfully they were okay, but the car was not, and it was a disappointing way to end our time together. They were able to drive it, and they made it home safely.

Korin floats down the Green River

Yes, I did order a hot tub to be delivered to our campsite the night before we left for Green River Lakes!

After two hours on a dirt road, we finally made it!

Sunset

Eli floating on the lake.

Steve, Matt and Eli floating down the river.

Sitting by the fire

Steve with one of the many fish he caught throughout the week.

….more fishing….

Doing what he loves to do…

Kathleen sketched Matt as he was fishing!

Nice fish Eli!

Steve fishing in his float tube early at dawn

Here we go! Off to the upper lake!

Eating lunch at Upper Green River Lake

Square Top Mountain

Ozzy, the hiker dog

Looking for a view of Porcupine Falls

Mammoth Lakes, California

Posted on August 1, 2023 by Matt Oliver

Mammoth Lakes is in the eastern Sierra Mountains. Matt and I grew up vacationing in Mammoth, as it is a fan favorite for both of our families. We were excited to meet Matt’s parents, my parents, Matt’s sister Amber and her family, and my sister Kristin and her husband Logan at this stop.

When we returned to California from San Jose del Cabo, we learned that our truck was still not repaired and that our following two campgrounds were closed due to record-breaking snow. We scrambled to find another campground with my parents and headed there in Matt’s dad’s truck. After arriving, Eli started to feel sick. Not exactly the family reunion we were hoping for, but we did the best we could.

We headed to Convict Lake for fishing and hiking on the first full day. The next day, Dad Oliver rented a pontoon boat and took people out on Lake Mary while Kristin, Logan, and I went to the Hot Springs. The following day, Kristin, Logan, Mom Masselink, and I took the gondola to the top of Mammoth Mountain while the Olivers went to June Lake. We spent a whole day at Rock Creek Lake with the Olivers to beat the heat. Our nights were spent playing cards and Catan!

After a few days, we changed campsites with my parents and stayed in Upper Pine Grove Campground while the rest of the crew headed home. We spent time fishing in Rock Creek Lake, playing Catan, and having campfires. At this point, Eli was finally starting to feel better. Soon, my parents headed to Big Bear, and it was just the three of us again. We completed a beautiful hike in the Little Lakes Valley to Long Lake, and the following day Matt and Eli did some downhill mountain biking while I caught up on UD school work.

We stopped and hiked through the Ancient Bristlecone Pines in the White Mountains on our way out of the Mammoth area. Matt had always wanted to stop here and finally got the chance! The trees are the oldest in the world and are more than 4,000 years old! The deadwood record goes back more than 10,000 years. We had great views of the Sierras as we completed the Discovery Trail hike through the trees.

At the top of Mammoth Mountain

Mammoth Lakes 2023

Matt dancing on Lake Mary

Kristin and Korin at the Hot Springs

Family Games!

At the top of Mammoth Mountain!

Eli with his grandparents!

Oliver Family

Cousins

I’ll take all the hugs from this teen that I can!

Matt and his dad fishing

On our way to Long Lake

Long Lake

Top of the mountain

Downhill mountain biking

Ancient Bristlecone Pine

You have no idea how happy he is in this picture!

San Jose del Cabo, Mexico

Posted on July 29, 2023 by Matt Oliver

We typically start talking about our summer plans during Thanksgiving break. This year Eli asked if we could somehow include more surfing into the itinerary. We reached out to our friends from college, Shelley and Jeremiah, for some ideas on surf spots in Mexico. They invited us down to San Jose del Cabo where they have a house in walking distance to a well-known surf spot. We jumped at the chance to spend time with them and their four boys in a beautiful surf area.

After nearly missing our flight due to Southern California traffic, we arrived at Shelley and Jeremiah’s house. They quickly showed us around and took us down to the beach. There, we met Shelley’s Mom, brother, sister-in-law and nephew who were staying at a condo right on the water. As we jumped into the warm water and knew that the week would be unforgettable. Not only did Shelley and Jeremiah give us their bedroom, but they also cooked for us (breakfast, lunch and dinner), and brought us all over the city. They were truly the best hosts. I spent the week watching the surf, reading, enjoying the sunshine, catching up with our friends and relaxing. Matt spent the week surfing, fishing, and hanging out. Eli spent the week surfing, making new friends, surfing, playing lots of Poker, and Chess, surfing and swimming. While we were there, we went to Nine Palms surf spot, ate at Hangman’s Restaurant (twice), and snorkeled at Playa el Chileno.

We had open minds of what the week would be like, and it definitely exceeded our expectations! A huge thank you to Shelley, Jeremiah, the boys and her family. We had a wonderful time and hope to be back again.

9 Palms

The house!

View from Jill’s (Grammy) condo on the beach!

Shelley and Jeremiah’s back porch

On our way to 9 Palms surf spot

9 Palms

9 Palms

Matt, Jeremiah and Ryan getting ready to fish!

Eli

Matt

HANGMAN’S!

Dinner #2 at Hangman’s

Yosemite National Park

Posted on July 21, 2023 by Matt Oliver

During past summer road trips, we have had to change our plans on the fly, and this summer has been no exception. The truck started making a strange noise after we left Sand Dunes National Park, and we decided to head for Visalia, CA, where Matt’s parents live. In doing so, we had to skip the north rim of the Grand Canyon, where we were planning to meet my parents. We pushed on and thankfully made it to Visalia without a breakdown.

Those who know California’s geography know how close Visalia is to Yosemite National Park. We had been watching posts for months about Yosemite waterfalls being spectacular due to the record-breaking snow the Sierra Mountains received this winter. Once we knew we would be in Visalia for a few days, I jumped onto the internet while Matt was driving and scored a tent in Yosemite’s Curry Village for two nights! **BONUS PARK!!!** Getting a camping site, hotel, or tent more than six months in advance is challenging, so I’m sure we benefited from someone else’s cancellation.

We parked the trailer, and thanks to my in-laws, we left Eli and my nephew Josh to be spoiled by their grandparents in Visalia. Soon into the drive to Yosemite, we realized that this was our first trip sans kids in several years!

As always, Yosemite National Park did not disappoint. As we came into the valley, we noticed waterfalls we had never seen before due to the immense snow melt. We stopped at Bridalveil Falls and were amazed at the water coming down. Once we settled into our tent, we had pizza and wine for dinner. Since there was still some light left, we headed over to the Mist Trail and got as far as the bridge before it was too dark to go any further.

Early the following day, we took the shuttle bus to the upper Yosemite Falls trailhead. The hike took the entire day, and we were rewarded with breathtaking views of the valley and the waterfall. As we were hiking down, we stopped at one of the switchbacks to have a snack. The view from that switchback was one of the best I have ever seen. We sat there, talking and taking in the view for quite a while! It’s in moments like this that I realize how truly blessed I am.

Neither of us wanted to leave the following day, but we were excited to get on the road and head down to Thousand Oaks to see the Nungesters. We stopped back in Visalia and drove south towards LA with Matt’s parents. That night we had a late Father’s Day celebration and enjoyed spending time together.