Yeah, celebrating our American heritage by getting shitfaced drunk and setting off fireworks - what could possibly go wrong with that scenario?
My FaceBook Memory from this morning...
Ah, the memories. I got to watch the 4th of July Parade in Friday Harbor, then off to Roche Harbor for some whale watching. Roche Harbor is a total shit show during the 4th of July: there are boats anchored in the harbor so tight, it seems like you could walk across them; and they all have dinghies... dinghies that are darting around the little bit of water between the boats like gnats. There are all kinds of alcohol-fueled festivities on the docks (log rolling, blind dinghy races, puking for distance)... and whoever drives SeaHawk (the whale watch boat) has to maneuver in and out of that fiasco without running over stupid people. I happened to pull that duty 3 years in a row. There are a lot of things I miss about our time in the Pacific Northwest... having to drive that boat in and out of Roche Harbor on the 4th is not one of those things.
I would get back to our boat (we were living on our boat at that time) in time for a concert/dance in the marina parking lot (we could enjoy the music from the cockpit of our boat) and then fireworks over the harbor. Once I was back to the boat, it was enjoyable.
Compare that to our time here in the Tropical Tip for the 4th: there are parades in some of the towns around here, but we will avoid the traffic. There will be a golf cart parade here in our resort - it starts at 10:00 am, so the majority of the participants shouldn't be shitfaced, yet.
Out for my morning walk and bike ride, I got a preview of some of the golf carts... well, what passes for golf carts here, considering some of these things can be driven on the highway (yes, at highway speeds). Only a few golf carts out and about at that time of the morning, some dog walkers, and a few other people getting exercise. I did see a woman teaching what looked like a 10 year old how to drive a golf cart. On the street. No idea why people think this is acceptable (you are supposed to have a drivers license to drive a golf cart in our resort).
I think we will cocoon in the air conditioning and generally try to stay off the streets here. Joan is going to make a rack of ribs. I plan to eat ribs.
South Padre Island will have a big fireworks display tonight. No intention of getting caught in that traffic jam. Fireworks are not allowed in our resort, so we'll probably step out on our deck and watch people set off fireworks. The resort may not "allow it," but it is part of the culture here - people like to set off fireworks for special events like: New Year's Eve, Independence Day, Cinco de Mayo, birthdays (anyone's), Arbor Day, April Fool's Day, Mother's Day, and any other day that ends in "y." There are fireworks on SPI every Friday and Saturday during the summer (sponsored by a couple of the bars).
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The Parade:
More participation than the Lighted Golf Cart Parade at Christmas. Joan surmised that is because there are so many families here this time of year, and the kids like this. My guess: it takes a lot more work to hang and power lights. Looked like about 3 times the number of entries.
Plenty of neighbors had chairs set out in their driveway to watch the parade go by. We actually get a preview of it, as the parade passes by our deck on the canal before they come down our street...
Here they come down our street...
Quite a few of the participants have their dog(s) along...
Some of the carts have blaring music - but the dogs seemed to handle it. Joan considered bringing Rufus out to watch the parade, but didn't have a red, white, and blue scarf for him.
On with the parade...
After the last cart went by, the neighbor's granddaughter chasing the parade...
I was concerned that all the noise and commotion would have Ruf on high alert. When we came back in the house...
The house is decently insulated and not a lot of the noise penetrates. Rufus is a pretty laid-back boy.
4 comments:
I guess some of those so-called "Golf" Carts are made to Off Road"n?
Glad you're getting along better-- Going to launch the "Floating Couch" soon?
Hi HRB,
Some of these "golf carts" are UTVs, popular around here for driving on the beach (where it is allowed, outside of city limits). Kinda like the city boy who drives a lifted truck - more about image than use.
The boat will have to wait. I am up to it physically, but we are now gearing up for an RV departure in the next couple weeks. The boat will get wet again when we come back (early fall). I miss seeing the dolphins, but I don't want to do the clean-up and put-away on the boat for the short time usage we'd have.
And, yes, I am getting along better - still doing my walking (more without the cane than with), biking, and exercising. As I walk longer distances, it takes more time... I need to start making some miles with the RV so I can get some rest. ;-)
The Pacific Northwest and San Juans miss you. I always enjoyed your posts at the end of the day after your tours were complete and seeing the pics of the islands and whales. I have a former French exchange student coming to town the end of this month. She will be here 2 weeks and the first thing she asked me is if we could ride the scooter up to Anacortes, catch the ferry to Friday Harbor and go on a whale watching tour. We will make reservations with the company you worked with. Hope you can make it back some summer in the future. Glad you are feeling better and gaining more mobility. Greg
Hi Greg - Nice to hear from you. I really enjoyed taking the scoots on the ferry: first ones on, first ones off. I can absolutely recommend San Juan Safaris (Friday Harbor) or San Juan Island Outfitters (Roche Harbor) - the owner, Brian, runs a good operation. If you do one of the Friday Harbor boats, Sea Lion is the big boat in their fleet, has a comfortable ride and great viewing from all around the deck. Their other boat there is a fast boat, a twin-engine inflatable rib that is more of an adventure ride (they provide the jacket and pants, since you may get some spray. Both companies have a great percentage of whale sightings, and I know the crew will do all they can to get you to the whales and provide the best views; respectful wildlife viewing, and naturalists on the boats to answer questions and give you more information on what you are viewing.
Have fun with your French foreign exchange student. We hosted a young lady years ago (our daughter had also gone to France) - a good cultural experience both ways.
Best wishes,
Jim
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