The Fifth of July

Yesterday we went on a hike in Dupont State Park to see a few of the many local waterfalls. It was truly a beautiful and extraordinary experience. In fact, it was so singularly special, that I feel compelled to vow never to go hiking or camping or attempt anything outdoorsy again for fear that any future forays into the wild would only pale in comparison to this perfect day.

After being chastised by a park ranger, chased by bugs and exhausted by the near 90-degree climbs, Michael slid on some moss and face-planted onto the rocks, simultaneously getting a nasty bump on the head AND hurting his back. Once we made it out of there, the downpour began. Soaked and injured and fatigued, we finally made it back to the car and back to civilization. Our picnic lunch was very tasty, though.

That evening we headed downtown to take in the local fireworks show. The main square in town was packed, and the entire crowd looked skyward to the huge, open expanse of North Carolina sky. North Carolina is called "The Land of the Skies," you know. As we heard the first explosion, we waited in anticipation for the burst of color, only to discover they had somehow managed to arrange the fireworks display behind one of the only tall buildings in town. So the whole crowd moved from the square to the other side of the building, in order to see the show. We managed to push in enough to see a few errant explosions of light through the windows of the building.

But it all makes me laugh. Human error, human miscalculation, any attempts of humanity that turn into high comedy amuse me greatly. Especially when Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" is playing in the background. It's really an apt metaphor for this country. We are blessed with liberty and freedom and justice for all, but you really have to crane your neck to see them sometimes.

I was also amused to hear Martina McBride's song "Independence Day" played during the show, though they thoughtfully edited out the part where the mom burns down the house to kill her abusive husband.

All in all, an adventurous, death-defying and silly Fourth of July.

P.S. If you check out our Flickr page, you'll get to see my photos of the waterfalls with Michael falling down in the bottom right corner of the shot! Poor Michael.