family fun | Glacier Country

It’s probably no surprise that I love my family. Over the last five years, I’ve shared some of my favorite family memories with you on the blog. Side note: You can read about last year’s family reunion in Glacier National Park here and a wonderful week in Whitefish here.

Well, I have another story to tell you. This past weekend we gathered 44 members of the Allen clan and headed to Placid Lake State Park for a family reunion. We had a wonderful, almost perfect weekend at one of the most beautiful places in the Seeley-Swan Valley.

Here’s a look at how the Allen clan renewed our family bond under Montana’s big blue sky…

Two fishing boys + their aunt.

Baby + grandpa bonding.

Q: How many cousins can you fit on one tube? A: Four.

A bevy of blond cousins.

The weekend festivities also included a Dutch oven cook-off. There may have been "some" trash talking involved.

The weekend festivities also included a Dutch oven cook-off. PS: This family takes competitions very seriously.

One of the most gorgeous sunsets of the summer.

My uncle modeling all of his reunion paraphernalia.

Two things I love: Montana and family.

It was a great weekend and I already can’t wait for next year.

Your turn: Where’s YOUR favorite place to vacation with your family?

xo,
TT

There are some weekends that I simply don’t want to end. And this last weekend was one of them.

You see, it was time for the annual Allen Family Reunion in Glacier National Park. For the third year in a row (we must really like each other if we have reunions every year…that or we’re crazy), the troops from near and far packed their bags, loaded their cars and convened one one of the most beautiful places in the world—Glacier National Park—for a weekend of fresh mountain air, outdoor adventures, cousin bonding time, hugs and kisses, plenty of teasing and playing music around the campfire.

Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park is a stone’s throw away from Apgar Campground.

To start the weekend off, we make the two-mile trek into Avalanche Lake. It’s an easy hike with only about a 500-foot elevation gain, making it perfect for a variety of ages. Along the way, we passed giant ancient cedar trees, rushing creeks and stunning waterfalls.

Avalanche Creek along Trail of the Cedars.

Two adorable hiking buddies. Side note: When you’re this little and cute, it’s okay to wear abundant amounts of pink and tutus in the great outdoors.

I'd wager to say that this hike is one of my favorites (especially when hikes with my mama and baby sister).

I’d wager to say that this hike is one of my favorites, especially when it’s done with my mama and baby sister.

Due to rain and various hiking speeds, we took our annual family photo at Avalanche Lake in groups. The group on the left was standing in a literal downpour.

And while Friday night started off a bit dreary, the rest of the weekend was gorgeous and allowed us to revel in family and various activities, including golf, whitewater rafting, a Dutch Oven cook-off, family auction and plenty of time around the fire.

Great Northern Guides was brave enough to take 24 of us out on the river. If you’re looking for a great company for your group trip, I highly recommend them.

Goodnight, Glacier National Park.

Thinking back on it, I realize that part of what made the weekend so wonderful was that it combined three of my favorite things: family, love and Glacier National Park. In essence, it was perfection.

Until next year, Allen family.

xo,
TT

PS: In need of family fun ideas in Western Montana’s Glacier Country? We have you covered.

Tag Archives: family fun

A Family Weekend at Placid Lake State Park

A Weekend of Family in Glacier National Park