Fourth of July Bust
9 / 10
The next day was the Fourth of July, and we kept things low key. My parents joined us at the campground for a lazy day under the trees. Overcast skies kept it comfortable, perfect for doing absolutely nothing. Later, we took a short stroll over to Lake McDonald from Apgar Campground, just to stretch our legs and see what we might find. Tucked among the trees, we spotted a handsome buck with velvet-covered antlers, standing alert in the greenery. A Dark-eyed Junco hopped along the ground nearby, rounding out our wildlife experience for the day. Lake McDonald was glassy and clear, with mountain silhouettes fading into the clouds.
Lake Mary near Campground
1 / 4
We had planned to drive into Whitefish for the big fireworks show, but our camp host tipped us off to a local celebration in Hungry Horse, just minutes away. The town itself didn’t organize the show. Instead, patriotic residents lined the main drag and fired off their personal stashes. Sounded perfect.
We grabbed burgers and parked to wait. Then the rain started. The folks in Hungry Horse were undeterred. Fireworks launched into gray skies, in broad daylight, in steady rain. I admired the spirit. As a spectator sitting in the back of a car, it was less thrilling. By 7 p.m., with hours to go before darkness and no break in the weather, we bailed. No grand fireworks finale for us.
We grabbed burgers and parked to wait. Then the rain started. The folks in Hungry Horse were undeterred. Fireworks launched into gray skies, in broad daylight, in steady rain. I admired the spirit. As a spectator sitting in the back of a car, it was less thrilling. By 7 p.m., with hours to go before darkness and no break in the weather, we bailed. No grand fireworks finale for us.