BLUE LAKE

          My grandparents live a few miles outside of a little town called Big Timber in Montana, and almost every summer, my family and I drive the ten, grueling hours to go visit them.  When we visit, my family and I go up to the top of the mountain and spend a day at a hidden and secret place called Blue Lake.  We spend the day fishing, swimming, and picnicking.  Every visit to the lake is special, but the visit two years ago was one I will never forget.

          We woke up before the sun had risen and drove to where the trail to the top of the mountain started.  The trail can not be accessed by car or truck; many people hike or travel by four-wheeler back up the winding trail to the lake.  Therefore, we packed up our two four-wheelers and drove to the top of the mountain. 

          The path to the top of the mountain was beautiful.  The river that flows alongside the pathway is crystal clear, allowing my family and me to see right through to the bottom.  We carefully maneuver around the puddles and overflowing streams along the trail to the lake.  On the way to the top, we stop to see ruins of old gold mining towns and cabins; the river water still rolling through the windmill of an abandoned gold mine.  You could almost envision the lives of families struggling to strike it rich in the vast and remote hillside of the mountain.

          When we finally get to the top of the mountain everything goes completely silent.  The only sound we can hear for miles is the babbling brook, running into the lake, and the whisper of the wind in the trees.  Everything is so beautiful.  The lush, green fields full of wildflowers, the brilliant green trees and the bluest and most crystal clear lake I’ve ever seen.  Dad reminds us to always be on the lookout as this is bear country.  Dad attempts to demonstrate how to use the repellant and accidentally pulled the trigger when attempting to just show us where the trigger was, it was sprayed right in to the wind blowing orange, toxic gas into the faces of everyone within a ten foot radius; namely the four of us standing around to observe the demonstration. 

            We rushed to the lake’s shoreline to vigorously scrub the bear repellant off.  My dad, mom, and I successfully scrubbed most of the orange residue off our faces.  As for my brother, he had a little more trouble with getting it to stop burning.  So, while he was uncomfortable for the better part of an hour, and not enjoying himself, the rest of my family and I were eating sandwiches, fishing, and basking in the sun.  Eventually all of us were able to enjoy the magic of Blue Lake and have a wonderful day.

The trip back down the mountain is always my favorite part of the ride, because we barrel the four-wheelers right through mud puddles we saw on the way up.  When the trip was over and it was time to pack up the four-wheelers I always feel sad because I know that I will not get to see that mountain or the beautiful waters of Blue Lake for at least another year, but then again, I think back to how my day was spent and I’m happy.  I’m happy because this was the most amazing and memorable trip to Blue Lake I’ve had.