July 05, 2004

Happy 4th

fireworksAround 9pm last night people started lighting off fireworks from all around the lake. Some were of the sparkler/bottle rocket variety, but others rivaled some professional displays I've seen.

We all boarded the pontoon boat and headed out onto the water to see the sights.

There was a big spectator fleet out there. In the dark you could make out boats of all shapes and sizes. Most were displaying their red/green/white running lights, but others were ghost ships floating in the dark.

You had to maneuver carefully, because even the lighted vessels could suddenly appear very close to you with the optical illusions of colored lights in the dark.

You never knew what direction would offer the next spectacle. Look there, no over there, and there too.

After particularly impressive fireworks were shot off, many of the boats would honk their horns, and their passengers would cheer and applaud.

One boatload, who seemed to be fortified with adult beverages, broke out into patriotic songs. Other boats joined in. All in good fun.

Beyond the horizon of the lake's edge we would occasionally see the flash of distant community fireworks displays. The sparkles of the closer ones would occasionally peak over the treetops, but mostly it was colored glows in the sky and muted thunder in the distance.

Posted by jackhodgson at July 5, 2004 06:55 PM