Dashing through green mountains, this whitewater river was named for an odiferous member of the lily family. What's its name, and where is it?

looney_tunes

Although I would like to find something in Vermont, the most obvious choice is the Big Garlic River (or the Little Garlic River) in Marquette Couty, Michigan. Garlic (allium sativum) is a member of the lily family, and most people are certainly aware of an odor associated with it! http://leungschineseherbnews.blogspot.com/2007/05/part-2-garlic-that-oderiferous-lilly.html http://michigan.hometownlocator.com/maps/feature-map,ftc,1,fid,2336604,n,big%20garlic%20river%20falls.cfm Dec 22 08, 7:33 PM

queproblema

Go with your first instinct there in the Green Mountain state. And botanists now disagree about the lily family part, I discovered. (So much for what I "just knew"--looks like you did, too.) Dec 22 08, 7:49 PM

looney_tunes

The Winooski River in northern Vermont is known for its rafting opportuinties, and had a name derived from a member of the lily family, at least in some calssifications. 'The name Winooski is derived from the Abenaki word meaning "wild onions". The river was called the Onion River for a period during the 19th century.' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winooski_River Dec 22 08, 11:30 PM

queproblema

Yes, that's the one! My great-aunt told the story that a little Indian (She did not say Abenaki.) girl was set to peel onions and she cried a river. Whether this is part of local lore or entirely my aunt's fabrication I have no idea. I'm more inclined to believe wild onions grow along its banks. Dec 22 08, 11:53 PM