Soft ripples across the water, the waves lapping over one another. Several red dots lining up across the lake, they were actually boat lights bobbing along; they were like me waiting for the fireworks to start. Sitting on the flatbed of the truck, overlooking the lake high up in the hills, it was a sight to be seen. The fireworks would start in 20 minutes, I had set my tripod with the camera ready, the settings were set. The sky was red and orange due to the tired sun setting along with a hint of blueish tint which would give way that darkness would fall soon. Bats fluttered overhead, by the luminescent moon. It was the Fourth of July, in about five minutes the show would begin. It was a five minute well spent, I recalled my day. The day began with the traditional parade which was watched from my very own driveway. My dog, Cosmo was sitting alongside with me. He was happy as he could be, the parade? He loved it, in fact a small part of me thinks he wishes he could have been in the parade or perhaps chasing the cars. Jamboree days up here is a big deal, it’s a day where vendors set up their booths on one section of the road. Meaning that the roads would be blocked off, and a frenzy of cars would go mad alongside the back roads. Hundreds of cars were backed up, parked or shouting at other drivers for the right of way. It was truly chaotic. If you ever come up here for Jamboree days, be prepared to park your car a mile away as I had to do, and a lot of sunscreen to shield yourselves from the hot sun. Since we are high up in the mountaintops, it’s easy to burn quickly, despite what you may think. I had volunteered to work at the Snow Cone and Cotton Candy booth in the bowling alley parking lot in my town. Whipping up pink and blue Cotton Candy, filling the cups with snow cones drizzling them with flavor for candy starved kids. Sunburned kids would beg their parents for a cold treat, soon a smile gleamed across their face as they held a freshly made snow cone. Seeing that made me smile, I remembered what it was like to be a kid. To be sunburned, enjoying the wonders of the holiday, running around with a snow cone in my hand. Oh, to be a kid again. “Two more snow cones” were shouted out, and instantly I was brought back to present day and back to work. The day went by, the band played, I danced as I worked but my shift would soon come to a end. I grabbed a Blue cotton candy, and made my way back through the frenzy of the crowds and back to the car. After dinner, and a little R&R; we would head back out again to face crowds yet again. But this time for the fireworks and I was in the flatbed truck as soon as the fireworks started. I started snapping away photos, hoping to capture a glimmer of the moment, the neon lights filled the sky along with a big BANG that followed. Each spark were stunning, they took many forms, colors, and shapes. The sky was filled with streaks of colorful lighting, unlike the cotton candy, the fireworks were like candy to my eyes. Flash after flash, light after light, the grand finale played out and the show was over; I was sad. I thank our Fore Fathers for bring us Americans this wonderful holiday to celebrate by shooting fireworks, hanging out with loved ones on the parking lot looking over the spectacle. I got to spend time with my family, got to make kids happy, as well as my dog Cosmo who was thrilled to be able to watch the parade. From Fireworks, to Parades, to Candy, how can something so simple bring a huge grin on my face? Perhaps it’s a reminder of why I am proud to be an American.
Happy Birthday America.
