Fourth of July--Porcupine Races

Porcupine Races: This was one of the most unique and craziest thing I think I've ever seen. It even beats bed races of Preston where grown men dress in nightgowns and let a team of other grown men push them down the mainstreet of town, just for bragging rights. All of this is just a little foreign to me, even after living in Germany for two years. I guess I just don't get it. But it was quite entertaining and it made for a very memorable 4th of July parade and town celebration. Probably an experience that won't be forgotten...for me...or the porcupines.

So I've decided that this came about when many years ago, a bunch of drunk men with too much time on their hands, went out a gathered up a bunch of porcupines and said, "Hey, I bet my little critter will womp on your little critter." They put money where their mouths were and the tradition was born! Now the town population searches the area for porcupines on July 3rd, parades 12 or so of them in the 4th of July parade, bets a lot of money on who they think will win (none of them went for less than $80) and then the race is on. Men and women with brooms and trash cans get their little critter to run for their sorry little lives across the finish line. Four heats later, the fastest porcupines race in the final heat, and a winner is born. The lucky schmuck who chose the winner gets a fun jackpot of money and the kids collect porcupine needles that are scattered all over the field. Happy 4th of July!!! Such is the American experience I guess! My kids had fun and have some cool porcupine quills for their collection. I wonder what the Indians we displaced or even the Founding Fathers would think about this. Hmmmmm. But, hey, I've heard I'm getting to be no fun and I am a liberal...so, me nor the animal activitists get much sympathy here in Council, ID.

Ranch and River Family Get-together in Council, ID

After Glacier we headed to Idaho for a family get-together over the 4th of July. It was very hot so the kids often headed to the river to cool off and have fun. The kids loved tubing and playing in the river! The older kids spent some evenings fishing too. They also enjoyed these carefree days to play games, watch movies, and ride horses with their cousins. And for them, what I think they liked best of all was....that there was absolutely no hiking!!!

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is amazingly beautiful! No matter where you drive, or to wherever you hike, the landscape is breathtaking. Mountains, waterfalls, lakes, wildlife, flowers and interesting plants--all these things make this place a wonderland for exploring and discovery. Come look at this beautiful scenery:

"Redrock Falls"

"Redrock Lake"

"Scenic Stop Along Hidden Lake Trail"

"Going-To-The-Sun-Road"

"Avalanche Gorge"

"Avalanche Lake"

"Logan Pass"

"Running Eagle Falls"


"Standing Arrow on Hidden Lake Trail"


"Goose Island"

"Weeping Woman Falls"


"Hidden Meadow"

Our first two days, we stayed at Fish Creek campsite on the west side of the park. We explored the west side of the park, hiked to "Hidden Meadow", as well as drove the "Going to the Sun Road" and hiked the "Trail of Ceders", "Avalanche Gorge" and "Avalanche Lake" trails.

Our last two days we stayed at Many Glacier campsite and explored "Red Rock Falls" trail. There we saw a mother moose and her two babies, a porcupine, several pretty birds, and a grizzly bear along the ridge line of the distant mountains.

We also spent time in the "Two Medicine" area. We took a boat ride across the lake and hiked to "Twin Falls." During our trip we enjoyed ranger talks about moose and beaver, and loved listening to an evening of Black Feet culture and stories. Now the kids know all about how beaver got his flat tail, why the Black Feet Indians don't hunt bear, and how valuable the woman are to their tribe.

Our last day, we hiked to "Hidden Lake" up a snowy path and saw a herd of mountain goats with even a little baby, as well as big horn sheep.

The kids set up and took down camp, played at the campsite, built lots of fires, ate lots of s'mores and outdoor meals, hiked between 4-7 miles each day, read books, took care of and played with each other, helped with cooking and cleaning up, climbed and slid down rocks, posed for lots of pictures, found beauty in grasses, flowers and bugs, stayed up late talking around the campfire, and made the most of every stream bed and lake. What a fun family trip to a beautiful area!