Camping at Earthquake Lake

Last year we really enjoyed camping at Earthquake Lake and we decided to go there for Labor Day weekend.  We were just about ready to go when the boys got home from school on Friday.  There were lots of sites open at the campground and we picked one that seemed like it would be fun and safe for the boys to play around.  We got camp set up and made walking tacos for dinner.  We enjoyed campfire cones for dessert.  It was getting dark (and late) and the boys were getting tired and concerned that we were letting them stay up REALLY late.  We went to bed ad Jim stayed up a little later to do some night photography.

In the morning it was pretty chilly (39 degrees) so we got a fire started and had some hot chocolate.  Once we warmed up we hiked down to the lake and and along the bank.  We saw some fish and lots of types of birds.  We walked to the boat launch and had a snack and then Jim and Emmett hiked back to the campground and got our car and came and picked us up.  

We drove to the Earthquake Lake visitor's center and had a picnic lunch and looked at the displays there.  We also drove down to the lake outlet, where the slide from the earthquake blocked the Madison River.  Then we drove for a while and went to Wade lake and Cliff Lake.  They are fed by springs and must have a nearly white bottom because they are brilliant turquoise.  It was windy and cool when we got there.  Emmett was feeling sleepy and I was reading a good book so we stayed in the car enjoying the scenery while Jim, Ezra and Elliott walked around some and took pictures.  We had some time to relax back at the campground and the boys got pretty rowdy.  They found a fuzzy caterpillar and had a lot of fun with that.  They took lots of turns in tent jail for being naughty...I think they were all a little tired.  We had hot dogs and macaroni for dinner and made s'mores.  We all dressed a little warmer that night and slept a little better.

On Sunday we warmed up by the fire, had breakfast, and packed up camp.  It took most the morning to accomplish that and then we drove to Ennis, MT for a picnic lunch.  It was a pretty drive along the Madison River and we found a nice park in Ennis with a kids fishing pond and some good places to run and play.  After Ennis we drove to Virginia City and walked around.  Lots of the old storefronts there are museum displays of what they would have looked like when Virginia City was a booming place.  We got candy sticks from the candy store.  We continued on to Dillon, MT and stopped at the Patagonia outlet.  We got back home in time for dinner and to get unpacked.  We had originally thought we might stay through Monday, but it was nice to have Labor Day at home to get things done and relax (and sleep in our own beds).