We are delighted to score a wonderful first-come-first-served campsite in the Crags National Forest campground... especially since it's a big holiday week and all the surrounding campgrounds were booked up months in advance. Thanks be to the camping angels... this particular one is named Jolene and she's the campground host.
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| Entrance to Crags Campground |
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| Campsite with a view |
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The morning of the 4th of July is simply gorgeous. I take off on foot to snap some shots and meet runners and walkers participating in a special 10K 4th of July fun run around Twin Lakes.
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| Lower Twin Lake with Sawtooths as a backdrop |
The family gathers at Holly and Doug's "Stone's Throw" cabin on lower Twin Lake for a breakfast of buttermilk pancakes and fresh berries.
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| The cast of usual suspects - Holly, Peter, Doug, and Philip |
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| Philip |
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| Sue & Peppers |
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| Peter - my Sweeets |
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After breakfast we pile into Philip's ancient VW van (and I do mean ancient - 1972 originally owned by their mother) and drive into Bridgeport for their 150th 4th of July Parade, which promises to be bigger and better than any of their previous events. Bridgeport is brimming over with participants and spectators coming from all the surrounding communities as well as many tourists from out-of-town.
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| The headliner truck |
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Needless to say, with the surrounding ranch lands, horses and flags are in abundance.
BIG trucks are a BIG favorite
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| Military trucks |
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| Private business trucks - this one's a sh-- load of fun |
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Some trucks come with special passengers...
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| National Forest truck |
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| with Smokey the Bear throwing candy |
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| and, of course, fire trucks. |
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... and don't forget the tractors, lots of tractors of all kinds, plus four wheelers.
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| John Deere hauling the Rotary Club float |
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| Classic farm tractor |
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| Fish on friends - fish on. Say how just how big was that fish? |
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Of course, no 4th of July Parade would be complete without vintage vehicles...
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| Horseless carriage type |
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| 1937 Cord - that's a show stealer |
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| Hey Holly - great trailer for Burning Man |
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Not only do we get horses, we get mules and mule impersonators...
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| Mule drawn wagon |
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| The Bodie Boys make asses (mules) out of themselves |
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Then there's just plain craziness by the local clowns...
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| 4th of July high hatter |
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| Costumed tractor driver |
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| and walking out house. |
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The Native American community puts on a good show with dancers and musicians.
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| dancer in tail feathers |
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| flute player |
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The parade ends with a line up of fire trucks, all with lights flashing and sirens blaring...
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| Here come the fire trucks! |
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| with water cannons to cool the crowd' |
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Great fun is had by all..
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| Sparky and Philip had a great time at the parade |
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| Ain't that so Kiddo? |
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