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| We saw a nice sunset while waiting on the fireworks. |
We inched our way along and eventually were out of the mass of traffic. However we were seeing fewer and fewer people along the way and we took that as a bad sign. At this point, we were just hoping that one of these streets would lead us out to some kind of a main road where we could eventually find our way home. No such luck.
We decided to turn around in a gravel parking lot and lo and behold, what did we see? A couple of groups of people in lawn chairs waiting for the fireworks. After a bit of questioning to determine that was indeed what they were there for, we decided to join them. We spent a very pleasant hour talking with them, watching their kids turn cartwheels, and listening to 70's music while waiting for the show to begin. They said that they had found this place last year and came back because it worked so well.
Right on schedule, the show began at 9:30 pm, and we had a great view. For the next 20 minutes we watched the sky light up with bright, beautiful colors. Next year, we plan to go to the same spot. Selfishly, we hope no one else finds it.
And how was the traffic on our trip home, you may ask? Can you say traffic jam? We caught up to the traffic jam soon enough, but everyone was polite, and we found some good music on the radio. Not such a bad ending to a very satisfying evening.
Happy Fourth of July!
Here's a little of what we saw last night.
Wow! Impressive pictures! We are skipping fireworks. They don't start till 10:30, which is too late for us. Your story reminds me of my single days--there was a field on the property of my apartment complex, and you could get a decent view of the fireworks there (not super close, but much easier than fighting traffic!). It became sort of a tradition for a friend or two of mine to meet up, bring snacks and lawn chairs, and watch the fireworks there. Sometimes a couple of other people would come out as well, but usually we had the area to ourselves .... I'm hoping you can enjoy your little viewing area for many more years to come!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was growing up, we were spoiled because the town fireworks were set off on the hill across from our house. We never had to go anywhere to get a good viewing. Just to our backyard with a chair.
DeleteThere are several neighborhoods close to us that have been setting off fireworks for a few days now. One night we could see three sets of them out our living room window--one of them quite well. I'm not sure what to expect tonight on the 4th, but we should find as soon since it's almost dark.
You caught some fabulous fireworks on your camera.
ReplyDeleteDon't you love a serendipitous find, like the perfect place to view fireworks?
My camera does okay, but unfortunately, it doesn't work as well as it used to. Each picture takes several seconds to process, so it took a while for me to figure out how to anticipate to hope to get what I wanted. But it didn't really matter. All fireworks are pretty as far as I'm concerned.
DeleteYes, I love it when serendipity is involved.
Those look spectacular. I'm glad that you found this spot. Next year, you'll know just where to go.
ReplyDeleteWe hope to go back soon to see the area in daylight and to explore. There may be a better way in and out than we found that we can use next time.
DeleteWow, what a great find! An almost secluded spot and nice people to share it with! I like your pictures too.
ReplyDeleteWe live less than 0.5 mile away from where they set off the fireworks in our little town so we just bring the patio chairs in the front yard and watch from there, with a cocktail in hand. It's really nice not to have to fight traffic at all!
I wonder why they shot the fireworks on the 3rd, though?
I'm not sure why they do them on the 3rd, but I'm guessing it is so they are not competing with the big fireworks downtown. We live fairly close to Washington, D.C., and many people go there to see the music and big fireworks they have there every year on the 4th. I went one year and it was spectacular but not worth it to me to fight the crowds to do it again.
DeleteWhat fun! I haven't been to an actual fireworks show in years. Of course, in my neighborhood, all I really have to do is look out the windows, because even though they're illegal, EVERYBODY sets them off here - sorta like a war zone. Anyhow, CatMan and I stayed home and comforted the kitties, who, for the most part, weathered the storm OK. Still too much Sulphur in the air to open the windows though, so I guess it's a night for the AC!
ReplyDeleteWhile there were not fireworks set off immediately around me, there were lot's in other neighborhoods where we could see the fireworks they set off. And they were just as good as many small town's. While some smaller fireworks are legal around here, I'm pretty sure the big ones I saw were not.
DeleteAC is not a bad thing especially when the air outside is not good to breathe. We use it most of the time since airborne allergies are a big concern in this household. We need relief from those 90+, humid days.
Love the colors but not the crowds or the noise or scaring animals and pets, as was done in my neighborhood all afternoon and evening.
ReplyDeleteI wonder sometimes about people. Some of them don't seem to be very considerate. When we lived in Texas, fireworks were set out in our cul de sac by the neighbors. It was fun for a little while, but we had little kids who needed to go to sleep. But they went way into the night. It was interesting that a couple of years later when the main offender had a baby, he made sure they stopped at 10 pm. Some people don't look much beyond themselves. Also, I think more than a few beers are involved with these events. Fireworks and alcohol--not exactly a safe combination.
DeleteHope your animals have calmed down and you don't have any thunderstorms (or fireworks) for a while.
Thank you. We've both calmed down. Thanks for your thoughtful reply.
DeleteThat last photo is great!
ReplyDeleteI like it, too. :)
DeleteLovely photos! So glad you found a good spot to watch the fireworks. When my daughter was little, I used to take her to watch the neighboring city's fireworks display - we used to park the car on the side of the street and watch.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good memory. You should do it again with your daughter.
DeleteI too haven't been to a fireworks show in years but your driving around reminded me of a few years of my search for a good view with my young children. Your pictures are amazing!
ReplyDeleteWe took our kids a few times to see fireworks. However, often we didn't want to fight the traffic.
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