Independence Day, Northern Style

I’ve been “up north” every July 4th for…….well forever. I really can’t remember when I wasn’t. Maybe as a little kid, but even at 8 or 9 years I was already making the annual trek to the north. Never missed one since and never will; the good Lord willing. However, this is the first Independence Day since I started my blog, so naturally I must write about it!

Of course, friends and family are always there. This year, wife and child and four special friends from home, all up here at the northern camp. And as tradition dictates, there was a parade and all kinds of things for the kids. Later, there was grilling and drinks for the adults. The weather was perfect and the fireworks that night were fantastic. How the little village of Northport did it, is a bit of a mystery. My hat is off to the sponsors whomever they may be, because it was so well done. Not Detroit, not Boston, but just superb by small-town Michigan standards.

I still remember the small-town displays I saw as a kid. One single-colored shell, followed by what seemed like four minutes of silence (and four mosquito bites) before the next! At the time, it seemed like state-of-the-art, but now of course, this would never meet our instant-gratification expectations. Simpler times for sure.

The next day, the celebration continued with the trip down the west arm of Grand Traverse Bay aboard the very capable Renaway II, to see the Cherry Festival air show featuring the Navy’s Blue Angels. This was the second bi-annual show we’ve watched from the water, and again, we watch it with such pride and amazement; along with a heck of a lot of fun! And just like the day before, the weather couldn’t have been better if we’d ordered it out of a catalog! There’s nothing like the clear air, bright sunshine and the deep navy-blue of Lake Michigan. Absolutely perfect!

I have three or four “favorite” holidays, meaning that I like them equally, but for different reasons. On Independence Day, it really revolves around the outdoor activities. There may have been a real rainout here and there, but for the most part even Michigan gives us a break for the day. It sure did this year! Happy 232nd U.S.A.!