Our Blog

Happy Bombs Bursting in Air and
Merry Stars 'N Stripes Pinwheels Everybody!

Can you believe that we have a Fourth of July Parade in our town? Our arms hurt we waved at so many firetrucks, police cars, logging trucks, tractors, bucket trucks and roller derby ladies. The only crummy part was all the jerky politicians begging for Mom and Dad's votes. As you can see the weather was typically fantastic. 56 Degrees with wind gusts to 35 mph! Where eles in the good ole mainland US of A would one expect to wear wool hats and flannel shirts to an Independence Parade? Oh well it sure made the flags fly (and the signs, and lots of peoples hats, and a few floats...)

Victoria's Police Drum and Pipe Corps sure caught everyone's attention!

The parade had lots of great history. Do you think Dad chose this location because it was across the street from a fantastic National Register of Historic Places Federal Building in downtown? It was the original Post Office. Just imagine that firetruck racing down First Street just as New Deal workers put the finishing touches on that building way back in the 1930's! Isn't America great?

But enough about parades and historical stuff. Our town also allows fireworks on the Fourth of July!

We had just enough firepower (powerworks as Simon has taken to calling them) at home to spark our curiousity and keep us chugging away to make the big display over the water at 10pm.

Finn had to be restrained. But not 'cause he was scared. He threw a royal fit 'cause those sparks were so awesome he wanted to carry them around. Needless to say, Finn got to watch the fountains from afar.

Dad did a fine job doing some American Grafitti on the street and picked out some sweet little fountains.

"Hey wait, Dad. Those fireworks are waaaaaay bigger than these. Did you shortchange us or something?"

Well, I sort of did. But after ours were gone we loaded into the Family Truckster and headed down to the Hook with everone else from this neck of the woods. We parallel parked on the side of the road (which was bumber to bumper for all two and half miles) and watched the fantastic fireworks display over the waterfront trail across the harbor. Add the professional display to the additions of all the local patriots and it was an amazing show. One could almost imagine what the original battle that inspired the Star Spangled Banner was like with all the fireworks blasting and bursting back and forth across the harbor. No pictures though. You'll have to imagine the sight- but let me say that it was something unlike I have ever seen.

Then it was home to bed (and more explosions overhead thanks to trashy neighbors).

Needless to say Simon has already forgotten that Christmas is now less than 6 months away. I think Finn prefers the Fourth anyway.