Last weekend was the first weekend of McCall's Winter Carnival! I lived in Cascade (a half-hour drive from McCall) for eighteen years but had NEVER been to the Winter Carnival! This year I decided it was high time I made an appearance at the annual festivities! When Laura told me she would be attending the raucous Mardi Gras parade I told her to count me in! Saturday morning we all piled in the Pierce Limo and headed north! The parade was certainly an adventure but I have to admit, I completely understand why my parents never took us!!!
A MARDI GRAS THEME WITH A TOUCH OF "SHARLIE"
THIS WAS BY FAR THE MOST IMPRESSIVE FLOAT!
AN ANIMATED SHARLIE! VERY COOL!
SHARLIE IS THE LEGENDARY (LOCH NESS-LIKE) BEAST IN PAYETTE LAKE!
(in case you didn't grow up terrified to swim in those crystal clear waters!)
I LOVED THE SAMBA DANCERS!
LAURA AND I ARE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE SAMBA LESSONS!
AH YES. HOPE!
"THROW THE BEADS"
MOST OF THE FLOATS THREW MARDI GRAS BEADS INTO THE CROWD
(no nudity required/allowed--darn it!)
WE ALL TOOK TURNS HOLDING MISS CLAIRE!
BUT PAPA DID THE BEST JOB!
CLAIRE AND HER MOMMY AND DADDY
(the older kids were with their dad)
THIS IS A VERY LOVED LITTLE GIRL!
As I mentioned, the parade certainly counted as an adventure, HOWEVER, it reminded me of a few things! The first? I HATE PARADES! Too much standing around, waiting! Add to that the fact that THIS parade is held during the WINTER and . . . well, now I really hate parades! Second, I am NOT a fan of HUGE crowds! (Dad and I definitely agree on this point)! The parade line was stacked three and four people deep! You had to push and shove to get close enough to get a decent view of the parade! We had a pretty hard time getting our hands on beads too (although we did managed to get a few strands)! So, after attending the parade, I completely understand why my parents never hauled my sister and I up to the parade chaos! However, I will say this--if you want to see the sculptures (which are really amazing and totally worth seeing), go on SUNDAY AFTERNOON when all the crazies are headed back to the valley!
THE FOOD COURT REALLY FREAKED DAD AND I OUT AND WE DECIDED TO SKIP LUNCH RATHER THAN BRAVE THE ATROCIOUS LINES! BUT DANNY SCORED THIS AWESOME FOOT LONG CORN DOG!
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