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Fireworks!
Jul. 5th, 2013 09:14 amI'll probably end up posting again later tonight (or possibly tomorrow morning) about whatever happens later today when I return to CONvergence, but I wanted to say that the fireworks last night were spectacular.
We've gone to various places over the years, but this year we decided to brave downtown St. Paul to see the Harriet Island fireworks. Rather than try to drive on to the island, however, I thought maybe the best place to watch was the boardwalk on the East side of the river (those familiar with St. Paul = down by Shepherd's Road near the Caribou). We parked in the historic district across the street from the Ramsey House and walked the few blocks to the river. Mason and I had never really explored that area, and we were impressed as hell with the houses. I got a photo of him near this European style fountain, but I haven't taken it off my camera yet. Anyway, he and I vowed to explore the neighborhood at a later date.
We sat just off the boardwalk on the grass near the river. I started to get cranky when the crowd started trickling in around us, because I was SURE they were going to block our view of what was happening across the river. Mason kept asking, "Are you sure you know where these are going to be fired from?" Of course, I didn't, but I assured him that we'd have a view of SOMETHING. We could see the fireworks of other cities over the tree line, which didn't help Mason's worries at all, "Ima, what if those are all we'll get?"
Ha!
It turned out that we were SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO THE STAGING AREA. In fact, when the first one went off, everyone had to shift to face the boardwalk. So all those people who pushed past us to sit closer to the river, actually had a MUCH CRAPPIER VIEW. We were almost directly under the fireworks. In fact, Mason had to plug his ears, and it was easier for us to watch, while lying flat on our backs.
It was spectacular.
I'm not sure I've had a better time. Sometimes, in fact, they were so close and surprising, I actually squealed (and I am decidedly NOT a squealer, usually.)
I'd been irritated by the crowd and a little sad to be missing out on the first night of CONvergence parties, but I have to say, after that show, I have _no_ regrets. It was worth all the hassle (and the slow escape from downtown, too!)
We've gone to various places over the years, but this year we decided to brave downtown St. Paul to see the Harriet Island fireworks. Rather than try to drive on to the island, however, I thought maybe the best place to watch was the boardwalk on the East side of the river (those familiar with St. Paul = down by Shepherd's Road near the Caribou). We parked in the historic district across the street from the Ramsey House and walked the few blocks to the river. Mason and I had never really explored that area, and we were impressed as hell with the houses. I got a photo of him near this European style fountain, but I haven't taken it off my camera yet. Anyway, he and I vowed to explore the neighborhood at a later date.
We sat just off the boardwalk on the grass near the river. I started to get cranky when the crowd started trickling in around us, because I was SURE they were going to block our view of what was happening across the river. Mason kept asking, "Are you sure you know where these are going to be fired from?" Of course, I didn't, but I assured him that we'd have a view of SOMETHING. We could see the fireworks of other cities over the tree line, which didn't help Mason's worries at all, "Ima, what if those are all we'll get?"
Ha!
It turned out that we were SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO THE STAGING AREA. In fact, when the first one went off, everyone had to shift to face the boardwalk. So all those people who pushed past us to sit closer to the river, actually had a MUCH CRAPPIER VIEW. We were almost directly under the fireworks. In fact, Mason had to plug his ears, and it was easier for us to watch, while lying flat on our backs.
It was spectacular.
I'm not sure I've had a better time. Sometimes, in fact, they were so close and surprising, I actually squealed (and I am decidedly NOT a squealer, usually.)
I'd been irritated by the crowd and a little sad to be missing out on the first night of CONvergence parties, but I have to say, after that show, I have _no_ regrets. It was worth all the hassle (and the slow escape from downtown, too!)
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