Fireworks on the Fourth

While at MQS this year, the friends I stay with mentioned they had never been to Washington, D.C. Having grown up just outside of D.C., this is a city I love to visit. We planned the trip so we could experience the fireworks while standing on the National Mall. They started this tradition after I moved from the area and it's been on my bucket list for a long time.

We headed for the Mall early in the day. There were lots of things going on - the Fourth of July Parade with several bands from across the country. Here are the balloon holders preparing for their walk down Constitution Avenue. The semi on the left has the helium tanks they used to inflate the balloons - heavy duty tanks.

The Smithsonian's Folklife Festival was in progress on the Mall between the Capitol and the Washington Monument. We spent some time enjoying the various music tents, sampled some of the ethnic foods, and walked through the display areas. And look at the sewing machine being used to create some wall hangings in the Malawi booth! No electrical power here - this was a treadle machine. There were several other countries who displayed their crafts, including some beautiful scarves made from lambs wool. They were luxurious to touch.

Cheryl and John - looking somewhat hot. It was in the low 90's but the humidity was high. We had planned it so that we spent time in the Air and Space Museum, viewing the movie "To Fly!" I remember seeing that movie shortly after the museum opened. It's still a fun movie to watch in the IMAX theater. The museum has lots of wonderful exhibits and we took our time strolling through them, delaying our return to the outside as long as possible.

We found a spot to sit along a reflecting pool and this manhole cover was right at Cheryl's feet. Despite the dirt clogging some of the veins, it is a graceful design and would work well in a circular block, don't you think?

Finally it was time for the fireworks. This is one of the better pictures I took. Although you can see them well in person, pictures tended to show lots of smoke. It took me a minute to realize that the blue screen in the lower right is a movie camera another couple was using. When I asked them to take a picture of us (didn't turn out too well), we got to talking. They are from northwestern Nebraska, near Gering, NE, where Judy Woodworth, one of my favorite quilting teachers, lives.

During the week, we also toured Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery, and Gettysburg. The museums at all three of these places have been recently updated and are tremendous. Even if you've been before, they are worth a return visit. The 34 star flag was on display at Gettysburg. While my father pointed out that there were probably flags with the number of stars ranging from 13 to 50 through the years, I don't recall ever seeing a 34 star flag. I love the graceful way the stars are positioned on the field of blue.

It was a wonderful trip - lots of walking, lots of talking while walking, and lots of visiting important sites in our country's history.

Cheers!

Margaret