I had an interesting Fourth of July this year and learned a valuable lesson in what it means to be American. Not that I was looking to be taught a lesson, mind you. Things just sort of turned out that way, as you will see.

I spent the weekend with my wife and son in the tiny hamlet of Lake City, Colo., a place so small and remote that most Coloradans are unaware of its existence. Somehow, though, thousands of Texans know about the place and flock there each summer, driving Lake City’s population, which is normally 375 or so, up to what seemed like about 5,000. Continue reading »