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Share this page with a friend Click file, then send. Lost on Fathers Day? On Father's Day morning, we awoke unsure of what we would do for the holiday. Instead of bad weather like we had for Memorial Day 2 years ago when we went to Yellowstone, the weather was beautiful and hot, with temperatures around 75 degrees. As the day went on, the word spread that we would be going on a BBQ picnic in Glacier National Park. Mom was making ribs, a delicious treat perfect for a barbecue. While on a walk around town, I ,M, informed E about the plans for the day. E did not seem to like the idea of going to Glacier. She thought that going on the 40-minute ride to the park was too tiresome and boring. At about 1:00, we departed on our adventure. At Wal-Mart, we shopped for several supplies, such as a barbecue grill, charcoal, and a folding chair. After purchasing a few items, we continued on our way. Arriving at Glacier National Park, we drove to the Fish Creek picnic ground. Fish Creek is a pretty creek near Lake McDonald. In the parking lot, we discovered that Glacier Park was much colder than at home, although moderately warm. We were not cold enough to change our tank tops and shorts (E was wearing blue jeans; I was the only one wearing shorts). Our picnic spot was at a great location near Lake McDonald. E and I went to explore the area around our picnic area. We pretended as though there were no people nearby, or parking lot above. When we returned from our brief trek, E left with Mom to lead her along where we had been exploring. Upon coming back, Mom suggested that Dad and I go on a walk of our own along the same path. Dad had other ideas, and decided that he and I should go on a very different adventure.  Therefore,
Dad and I left on our adventure, and left Mom and E to monitor
the ribs as they roasted on the barbecue pit. As we walked, I
enjoyed hiking without a backpack,
which I consider a burden. Dad told me that he always gets lost
while exploring the area around which we were going. Upon passing
Fish Creek, Dad informed me that it is outlawed to take fish in
Fish Creek. The first part of our exciting walk was on a flat
blacktop trail through the forest. The ambience was pretty and
refreshing. After we passed the wooded area, we went by the
restroom, then walked briefly in the lower campground. Dad departed
from the campground and went to the backcountry to explore around
Lake McDonald. As I walked near the lake, I realized that I had
no idea where I was since I left the campground. Glad that I was
with Dad, I continued. Dad stood around the lake, recording the
jagged, white peaked mountains at the end of Lake McDonald with our
camcorder. I felt the water and had the idea to later wade in
the cold glacial lake with E. I wanted to ask Dad how long we
had been gone, since I felt like it had been a long time and that
Mom and E might be worried. I did not ask Dad how long it had
been.Continuing on the walk, Dad noticed a strange rock cairn. I did not think it looked especially strange, and Dad said it could be the foundation of an old cabin. Dad told me that we were right across from Mom and E, and tried to take video of them through the trees. Dad then told me to find the way back. I did and went up, since I remembered the direction in which we had gone to the lake. Meanwhile, Mom and E sat around the picnic area keeping an eye on the barbecue and playing games. Then, the scent of smoke and barbecue came to my nose and I followed that. When I saw what looked like a trail, I went away from my sense of smell and followed that a tiny ways. Dad finally pointed out the proper direction and I realized that the campground was in plain sight and I had not noticed it. Dad and I went back to the correct place, where we saw the bear. It was right there in the campground, next to a RV. Unlike the bear in Camping, Boating, and Bears Part 2, this bear did not charge. Also unlike those bears and all other bears, this bear was a teddy bear! We headed to the left and went to the amphitheater. Things began to fall into place when the signs I had made a point of remembering came into view. Dad noticed an alien on restroom 1066. I saw it and noted it was not an alien, but a sticker. After a long walk, at last, we made it back to the picnic spot. I noticed E coming along, and greeted her. E told me of how worried she had been. Dad and I excitedly told Mom and E how we had seen a bear, and showed Mom and E the videos. While Mom was getting some things out of our vehicle, I decided to show her the bear. Forgetting that I had never gone up the steps to the upper campground, I went up those steps thinking that that was where the bear was. Mom said that if it was far away, she would have to go back but we, could go find it by ourselves. Promising to stay on the road, we went off. Upon coming to the spot where I thought the bear should be, I realized that I was in the wrong spot. We turned around, deciding that we would get lost trying to find the bear. Anyway, both of us, had to go to the restroom. While washing my hands, I was loudly singing. Someone came into the restroom. Luckily the person was Mom, coming to say that Dad had told her that we were totally in the wrong place. Mom said that it was lucky that I was singing right then, or she might have thought we were lost. I then remembered that Dad and I had never gone up the stairs to the upper campground. When we went back to the picnic spot we were given radios to contact Mom and Dad with. Also, Dad gave directions on how to get to the bear. Our walk was much shorter than the one I had taken with Dad. Upon getting to the bear, we went close-up and found out that the RV belonged to the campground host. On the bear was a kind of poem, an acrostic, about bears eating food.
We continued on our way, but
noticed that we came back to the bear! I realized that we had
gone in a circle, then realized that we should have gone to the
amphitheater. ©06/20/08 |
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