My husband and I were on a mission yesterday. I love watching fireworks, but this year I wasn’t up to dealing with the massive crowd during the show. The crush of people leaving afterwards. The long hike back to the car, the traffic jam. The noise. Our task was to find a spot that afforded a decent view of the fireworks but far from the madding crowd, and where we could make a speedy get-away.
And we wanted ice cream.
We had a few places in mind. At the second spot on our list we were greeted by a line of orange security cones and a traffic cop. The field we hoped to watch the sky from was on the top of a hill behind a new development of houses. We assumed the guy was there to keep non-residents from doing that. Still my husband asked: “Is this a good spot to see the fireworks?”
“Perfect”, the cop said, surprising us. “As long as you park your car on the side away from the orange cones.”
I leaned across my husband and told the cop, “Okay. We’ll be back. We’re going for ice cream. Would you like some?” He smiled and said sure, that would be nice. Surprise him on the flavor.
Being kind costs so little. In this case, $4 for a double scoop of ice cream which was well worth the price of the smile on the guy’s face when we really did return with it.
We were back within fifteen minutes. A few other cars had arrived by then. A few more came after that. The evening was humid, but a steady breeze across the top of the hill cooled our skin and kept the bugs away. We chatted with the other people. I met a girl whose name was also Mary. She was nine. She was with her mother and their new dog Bella, a year-old yellow lab rescue dog who was timid with people. Unless they were eating ice cream. Then she had no fear at all. Three other people came from a party they’d been to. An older couple brought their daughter and her two little boys who were three and six. A family with two teen-agers and a long-haired dachshund name Luigi came last. Bella and Luigi made eyes and barked at one another. I’m pretty sure it was love.
And then, the fireworks began. The cop was right. The view was perfect.
(I forgot to bring my camera, but my iPhone is pretty good in a pinch.)
Unlike the snafu in San Diego, we had a twenty-two minute show. It was sublime. It’s amazing how a common cause — the search for a spot with an un-trammeled view — brings out camaraderie in human beings. As we walked the few steps to our cars, we congratulated one another on our mutual find.
And then we booked it out of there to beat the crowd.
Few tail lights in front of us (as opposed to the usual bumper-to-bumper) = a quick ride home. Score!
A Wilderness of Words 
Lovely post. Wish I could have seen the face on the recipient of the ice cream gift.
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You’re fast! He was pretty happy, and I think surprised. I didn’t know what to get him, but he was an older man, probably a retired copy, in his 70’s, so I got him a scoop of strawberry, and a scoop of maple walnut.
I thought about you and Andy and how there must have been a lovely display of fireworks over Lake Dora. Was there?
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We were house-bound, what with the foot in a serious cast that needs to be elevated most of the time… No big deal. There will likely be another fireworks display.
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A perfect way to celebrate your independence ! 🙂
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Yes, it was, Lynda. I hope you had a great time with your family over the fourth! 8^D
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I love it. One of my favorite things is making friends with random people like that. A few of the ones I’ve met recently have even become more than just momentary friends. And that’s the best. Celebrating with people around you is great. Glad you had a good night.
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Thank, Keaven. I agree, celebrating with others makes the event all the more special, and it’s always such fun getting to know new people. It reminds me of our commonality.
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Love your descriptions of the people who found your spot to watch the 4th of July display! Sounds like you and Bob had a great time! And the ice cream cop…priceless!
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Thank you, Laurie. We did have a really lovely time. One of the nicest.
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I love the way you write, the way you think, the way you act. It’s all so…right.
PS: Yes, fireworks over Lake Dora, but ‘the foot’ kept us home this year. 😦
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You are always so nice to me! I’m sorry you missed out on the fireworks this year. Come here next year, you and Ray, and we’ll take you to our new-found spot. I’ll even buy you both ice cream!
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It’s a deal! I want dark chocolate.
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Mmm, I want strawberry maple walnut! Wannit! But I have to wear earplugs when I go to see fireworks, or I spend the whole time ducking reflexively every time they go boom, until I’m totally exhausted. Been like that since I was a kid. Oh well. I like them anyway. 🙂
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Another plus about the new spot we found, was that the fireworks weren’t as LOUD! I know what you mean, though – I get exhausted in thunderstorms from all the flinching.
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No fireworks in Colorado Springs this year – too dangerous. Our fire was all on the ground, unfortunately. But today the Waldo Canyon blaze is 95 % contained. Now the danger is from flash flooding in the burn zone!
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That’s so sad. I thought about Colorado while I was watching the fireworks, about how Colorado Springs area probably would not have them. I lived in Boulder for 10 years and I remember dry summers and fires.
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What a heavenly adventure to watch the night sky full of fireworks Mary. Wish we had been with you. It has been far too long, since our kids were little and we ventured out to that park near your house. Dennis, neighbors and I watched local fireworks from our driveway…..just not the same as sneaking away, with ice cream, and being on a mission.
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I loved your story about human kindness and reaching out to strangers which is so rare these days! Love the photos and the effects!
Thanks for stopping by the party!
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Thank you, Susie. And I’m enjoying the terrific party you threw today. Meeting so many interesting people!
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I am so glad you came Mary!
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found you from Susie’s wild ride 🙂 I am a huge fireworks fan and your post reminded me of what I love and what I dont. The wait is not bearable but the camaraderie of people certainly is the highlight. Thanks for sharing and best to you 🙂
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Thanks for dropping by, TBA. I stopped by your site and marveled over your gorgeous photos of the Rockies!
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thank you very much. we are some photo loving folks here at TBA 🙂
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Saw your post in Susie’s party, lovely post that made me smile, cheers
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Thank you! And thanks for dropping by.
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love the pics and the very thought of ice cream, hmmmmmm. Susie sent me, I’ll be back to the wilderness!
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Thanks, Clay. If I run into you somewhere I will gladly buy you ice cream, too!!
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I’m with you. I spend an hour every July 4th looking for a good, fast getaway spot to watch fireworks. It’s worth taking the time to look. I came over from Susie’s party.
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It really was the best 4th of July. Thanks for dropping by!
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