This is the view from our lower deck. The marina is off to the far left. Every year the marina has a huge fireworks display over the water. They shoot off professional fireworks on one of the barrier barges, all done by a professional crew since the barrier barge is rather isolated.
Boats began gathering and congregating at dusk in anticipation of the show. They came from all over. Many motored in from Joe Wheeler State Park as well as Decatur Harbor and many lakeside neighborhoods.
My mom and I were the only ones on our lower deck. The weather was absolutely perfect. Slight breeze, low humidity, a little overcast but not bad. The lake was calm. Sitting high above the lake we could hear the mumblings of incoherent conversations far below out on the boats. Laughter would ring loud and long, music was playing, people were enjoying the evening. When the fireworks began so did the band on the Party Barge. It was a very, very good band and the mood took an immediate turn to sheer joy and happiness throughout our neighborhood and lake.
I wish there were adequate words to describe standing on that deck, shifting from viewpoint to viewpoint, feeling the delightful winds, smelling the lake and the breezes that lifted from it, seeing the colors, hearing the sounds, tasting the wine and sensing the happiness all around us. When the moon rose high adding its own reflection the night became almost magical. What is it about this particular holiday that feels so good? The air was filled with the electricity of high spirits, the scent of hamburgers grilling, the moisture of rainclouds to the west, and a gazillion combined heady odors that included boat fuel, beer and sunscreen.
Our neighbor's boat dock was lighted and decorated. Friends and family stood atop it and waved at the boaters while enjoying the show. People in our neighborhood hung red, white & blue buntings, raised new flags, placed patriotic pennants on light poles and in their gardens, flew flags from car antennas and on golf carts. This place practically shouted Patriotism!
Happy Independence Day - which is what it's all about. July 4, 1776 - the day the American colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. We live in a GREAT country!
This is the view from our lower deck. The marina is off to the far left. Every year the marina has a huge fireworks display over the water. They shoot off professional fireworks on one of the barrier barges, all done by a professional crew since the barrier barge is rather isolated. 
Boats began gathering and congregating at dusk in anticipation of the show. They came from all over. Many motored in from Joe Wheeler State Park as well as Decatur Harbor and many lakeside neighborhoods. 
My mom and I were the only ones on our lower deck. The weather was absolutely perfect. Slight breeze, low humidity, a little overcast but not bad. The lake was calm. Sitting high above the lake we could hear the mumblings of incoherent conversations far below out on the boats. Laughter would ring loud and long, music was playing, people were enjoying the evening. When the fireworks began so did the band on the Party Barge. It was a very, very good band and the mood took an immediate turn to sheer joy and happiness throughout our neighborhood and lake.
I wish there were adequate words to describe standing on that deck, shifting from viewpoint to viewpoint, feeling the delightful winds, smelling the lake and the breezes that lifted from it, seeing the colors, hearing the sounds, tasting the wine and sensing the happiness all around us. When the moon rose high adding its own reflection the night became almost magical. What is it about this particular holiday that feels so good? The air was filled with the electricity of high spirits, the scent of hamburgers grilling, the moisture of rainclouds to the west, and a gazillion combined heady odors that included boat fuel, beer and sunscreen.
Our neighbor's boat dock was lighted and decorated. Friends and family stood atop it and waved at the boaters while enjoying the show. People in our neighborhood hung red, white & blue buntings, raised new flags, placed patriotic pennants on light poles and in their gardens, flew flags from car antennas and on golf carts. This place practically shouted Patriotism!
Happy Independence Day - which is what it's all about. July 4, 1776 - the day the American colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. We live in a GREAT country!
