4th of July Memories

The following are my memories from the past half a hundred fourth of July's:

The next door neighbors, the Walbams, having a 4th of July party in their backyard. They had coolers filled with soft drinks like Orange Crush, Grape Crush, and Strawberry Crush. You were welcome to have as many as you wanted. Their daughter Wendy went up on their garage roof to watch the fireworks display in town.

Lighting off snakes and sparklers and punks. One year we lit off road flares and I got asthma from all the smoke.

Sitting at the kitchen table with a whole plate of spinach that my mother told me to eat before I could go out and watch the fireworks. Now you know why I hate vegetables.

Sitting in our car at Glenbrook North High School with a bag of homemade popcorn watching the fireworks until it started to rain.

Watching all the floats go by on Dundee Road in the afternoon after all the parades in the area were finished.

Being in Arlington Stadium in Arlington, Texas watching the Rangers play the Yankees. It was well over 100 degrees. Burt Hooton was the winning pitcher. They played the song Proud to be an American and the whole crowd cheered at the line "across the plains of Texas" as jet fighters flew over the stadium. Huge fireworks display after the game.

Being in Olympia, Washington where it was so cold and rainy that we had a huge bonfire going. The fireworks display was self made by people shooting off their own around a lake. Very Sarah Palin like.

Water balloon fights during the parade in Ouray, Colorado.

An F16 buzzing Main Street in Ouray, Colorado.

Mallory running in races in the park in Ouray, Colorado.

The year the fireworks display in Ouray caught the hillside on fire and they had to cancel the rest of the show.

Driving over Independence Pass near Aspen, Colorado. Then, being on the roof of a restaurant in Aspen watching the fireworks show over Aspen Mountain. Then driving back to Vail with a full moon overhead.

Mallory and Madison throwing popper fireworks at people from the Jeep driving out of Aspen, Colorado.

Watching the fireworks from the Christmas House in Ouray, Colorado as they played the 1812 Overture synchronized to the fireworks

Hiking to Blue Lake in the Rawaah Wilderness near Cameron Pass, Colorado in snow up to my waste. Singing the Star Spangle Banner on the way down until other hikers happen to pass by.

Watching the 4th of July parade in Ouray and then driving home 8 hours to Fort Collins. Ended up watching the fireworks display in Fort Collins by myself from the Colorado State University parking lot.

Watching the fireworks around the area from a church rooftop in Hurst, Texas.

Watching the fireworks display in Austin from Saint Edwards University by myself.

Watching the Shriner's ride their magic carpet cars in circles at the Northbrook, Illinois parade.

Listening to the aspen leaves flutter and the humming birds wings whiz by the window in the early morning in the bed and breakfasts of Ouray, Colorado before the parade.

A clown in the parade in Ouray, Colorado scolding us for shooting a water gun at him. He yelled, "Don't do that you moron, this is makeup!" Really?

I am sure there are more memories...and I'll add them as I remember them...