Fourth of July 2012

We didn’t have any fireworks in my town on Independence Day this year. As with most surrounding communities, the powers that be canceled fireworks because it's so damned dry. Colorado has had serious fires this summer.

But we had most of the other festivities associated with the Fourth. In late morning I took a long bike ride (or long for me) up to a little berg called Niwot. I didn't plan it that way, but I got there just in time for the tail end of their Fourth of July parade. Cops were out in full force directing traffic around the Main Street area (actually Second Avenue) but as a cyclist, I could skirt most of the congestion.

The streets were thick with pedestrians. It was a little strange being in a crowded place, and so close to home, yet not knowing a soul.

The Niwot event had all the typical stuff: people waving little American flags, kids in strollers, kids on bikes festooned with red white and blue, the firetruck at left, and women in skimpy attire on this very hot midday. I brought my little pocket digital camera and took pictures, as you can see (not of any women). I am consistently surprised by the quality of the pictures from this tiny device.

I took about a dozen photos, and most of them were shot from the same location. I wasn't really there to take pictures.

By chance I found myself right next to a small Niwot business I'd never heard of called My Mom's Pie. (Andy Griffith just died. He was in that movie a few years ago about the pie-making woman.) You probably live too far away to give My Mom's Pie any business, but what the hell. Check out their web site!

I like taking long bike rides on the Fourth. Traffic is usually light, which enhances the experience. Here's my description of last year's ride. And here's a story about the 2007 holiday. I'm pleased to say this latter item pissed some people off, although I don't know why it did, exactly.

Still a troublemaker at heart.