I still live in the community in which I grew up. Fourth of July is a big deal here, and is my favorite holiday. Independence Day in Scripps Ranch has lots going for it. The day starts with the Fun Run/Bike Ride at 7 a.m. (I don't run, I walk, but I do manage the 10K) After the run the tradition is to rehydrate in the Beer Garden--yes, the beer starts flowing at 8 a.m.!
This is followed by the old fashioned parade--we are lucky to live a block from the parade route.
There are marching bands, scouts, homemade neighborhood floats, fire trucks, politicians (for the record I knew Randy "Duke" Cunningham was bad news way before he was indicted), the hysterical Society For The Preservation of the Middle Class (lawnmowers and Budweiser) "dance" group, and much more. Social Butterfly will be outfitted in cheer gear and marching and cheering with the high school squad.
The parade ends at a park where there is an Ice Cream Social and a live band.
Our family tradition necessitates following all of this by a long nap. Then we pack up a picnic and troop off to Coronado where they let you spread out on the golf course. We eat, play bocce ball, listen to music, and moan about the downside of the whole thing being that drinking and port-a-potties just don't mix--at least for 40ish women! The payoff is the fireworks shot off from a barge in the bay. I do love me a spectacular fireworks display!
The golf course is just southwest of the Coronado Bay Bridge. Can you say (multi) million-dollar view?
Because we've been doing this for so long we know just where to park, and we have our children trained in the pack-and-run--we're back home in our beds while others languish on the bridge.
This year will be a little different. Danger Boy left for Canada for Water Polo camp on Thursday. Grown-up Girl won't be home because she has a job (one of the side effects of being Grown-up). We won't be going to Coronado because the friends with whom we share this tradition will be in Lake Tahoe--it's necessary to shake up traditions when you've just lost your husband and father.
A couple of hours ago we were just going to have a low-key, change of pace, restful Fourth. After a few phone conversations we're now having a barbecue for 15. Carne Asada because my BIL wasn't getting much good Mexican food in Washington state. In San Diego Carne Asada is about as American as apple pie. MVP's got a couple of friends visiting from Chicago--I bet they don't get a lot of good Carne Asada there either. We'll still go see fireworks, but at the local high school instead of Coronado.
I always feel a little discombobulated when we're missing part of our crew. I don't want to do everything the same if I don't have all my peeps around. So we'll change things up a little, but the basic celebration will be the same--we'll be celebrating this great country of ours, warts and all.
This year especially I hope we'll be looking forward to turning a lot of things around as a country, facing up to some hard truths, and taking a new tack on the world stage. I hope that before long America the country returns to being more of a reflection of Americans than it has been for a while.
Hope You Have A Blast!
Hope you have a wonderful time. Happy 4th!
Posted by: Hilary | July 04, 2008 at 01:18 AM
"I hope that before long America the country returns to being more of a reflection of Americans than it has been for a while."
You said it all in one sentence! Hope you had a really good Independence Day even if you missed some of your dear ones.
Posted by: Trudie | July 04, 2008 at 02:11 AM
We're going to neighbor's backyard picnic tomorrow, too! And for bbq. Yum. Much prefer the slower pace (and walking home).
Double ditto regarding this once-great ... will-be-great-again country of ours.
Happy 4th to you and yours !! A toast to the future America!
Posted by: phd in yogurtry | July 04, 2008 at 02:40 AM
Have a wonderful July 4th!!!
Posted by: Cheri @ Blog This Mom! | July 04, 2008 at 03:03 AM
I hope you have a great weekend!
And amen (or some non-religious version of that) to your last paragraph.
Posted by: Jennifer H | July 04, 2008 at 03:57 AM
Brits don't have a day like that...but I wish we did!
Have a super time - GUG and DB will be with you in spirit!
Hen
x
Posted by: hen | July 04, 2008 at 04:04 AM
Oh Jen...your last sentence was perfect. It summed up my hopes for change this year. It seems to me that we really are at a fork in the road and how people vote and what changes in lifestyle they themselves determine to make, will change the course of our country...for better...or for worse.
Happy Fourth and have some Carne Asada for me!
Posted by: Mary Alice | July 04, 2008 at 06:51 AM
I couldn't agree more and I have such hope AND fear about the November election. But, mostly, hope.
Happy 4th!
Posted by: Jen on the Edge | July 04, 2008 at 08:38 AM
Happy 4th of July!
Have a great holiday!
Posted by: mandy g. | July 04, 2008 at 12:28 PM
It seems only yesterday that we were 200 years old ...
Posted by: standing still | July 04, 2008 at 12:34 PM
happy 4th. i can't wait for fireworks. i haven't seen fireworks in at least five years.
Posted by: kate | July 04, 2008 at 12:36 PM
What an awesome tribute to the 4th your town puts on! Pretty quiet around here...at least until tonight when the Boston Pops puts on it's huge show :-) Happy 4th to you and yours!
Posted by: Janet | July 04, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Sounds like the perfect way to spend a new tradition. Have fun!!
Posted by: jlo | July 04, 2008 at 02:39 PM
Your tradition sounds wonderful. And so does this new way of doing things.
I hope you have a great holiday with the new guard!
Posted by: San Diego Momma | July 04, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Hey, i like your new blog layout. It is new right, or have I lost my mind. (My daughter often asks me how many times I can say that before I concede it's long gone). Any how new or not- I like it. ;)
Posted by: gina | July 04, 2008 at 03:37 PM
Looks like a fabulous way to spend the day. Enjoy the celebration and drink lots of water plus a couple of Advil before bed! From "Ollie-the-soon-to-be-nurse"
Posted by: oliver rain | July 04, 2008 at 04:28 PM
Well said.
Carne Asada?!!! YUM!! What time's dinner?! :-)
Posted by: MamaMo | July 04, 2008 at 06:38 PM
I love what you said about America at the end of the post.
And your traditions sound really wonderful. Hope your 4th is wonderful!
Posted by: JCK | July 04, 2008 at 07:27 PM
It is tricky when traditions change - especially when they sounded as great as yours! Hope this year was still special, though!
Posted by: Madmad | July 04, 2008 at 10:11 PM
Carne Asada is definitely one reason I could never leave California! :)
Happy fourth- I never knew Scripps Ranch had a parade, I'll have to file that away for next year!!!!
Posted by: Heidi | July 05, 2008 at 12:41 AM
Every year is different for a military family. Two years ago, SuperDad was in Iraq; last year, we were preparing to move across the country (I can assure you, we had better Mexican food in Washington than we have here!); and this year we are at my brother's house...with a town parade & fireworks last night, a neighborhood parade this morning (kids on decorated bikes) and a big party & fireworks here tonight.
Next year???
Posted by: kcinnova | July 05, 2008 at 02:34 AM
Hope your weekend is fantastic!!!
Posted by: Tammi | July 05, 2008 at 03:46 AM
Yeah I hope you have a great weekend. Beer at 8am? Even I couldn't face that!
Posted by: Reluctant Blogger | July 05, 2008 at 12:21 PM
That last paragraph was killer. Thanks.
Posted by: Chatty | July 05, 2008 at 07:01 PM
Know what you mean about being discombobulated when your peeps aren't all convened. Hope it was lovely. We braved Legoland, and actually had a great time!
Posted by: Just Jamie | July 05, 2008 at 11:53 PM
Would love to have a small town 4th like that! It takes me right back to childhood. Seattle is so darned big that you have to fight crowds to enjoy the festivities. Though I suppose you can always drink beer and eat burgers at home. That's fun too.
Posted by: All Adither | July 06, 2008 at 12:18 AM
Glad you had a nice 4th even though some of your peeps were missing. We went to Carlsbad, and quite frankly, it sucked!!! The marine layer rolled in so thick we couldn't see anything. Good thing we had awesome fireworks at my Gramma's 100th bday party a couple weeks ago! That was amazing!
Posted by: Mary-Momathon | July 06, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Nice post Jenn. I too love traditions, and yours sounded so nice...I was picturing it all, especially being a block away from the parade route???? how wonderful.
I hope the food and friends were all fun for you....
take care. Suz
Posted by: Suzanne | July 06, 2008 at 08:07 PM