A True Capitol Fourth

When living away from home, you have to make your own traditions.  You decorate like the mantle below.  You select the foods that are going to make the holiday special, etc.  For us, celebrating holidays always meant spending time with our immediate family.  Since we are so far away, it usually doesn't involve a family party but this year we were lucky enough to have my parents in for a visit.

Mom and Dad L. were in town the whole week before the fourth.  We had a wonderful visit, except for the freak power outage (something for it's own post) and Heb catching hand foot and mouth disease (awesome.  I mean really, could I ask for anything better).  Something they say is somewhat out of the ordinary and awful for an adult to catch.  It meant a lot of changing of plans and demanded lower key celebrating but we did our best.

We tried celebrating the day as a true Virginian, meaning that we avoid the crowds but still take advantage of the things to see.  There is a huge concert right in front of the steps of the Capitol building and adjacent to the mall on the fourth.  Instead of braving the crowds (last year there were 700,000 people. Not fun.), we attended the dress rehearsal the night before.  There were maybe 3,000 people and a great show.  It was definitely the way to see it. 

On the 4th, we went in to see the parade in D.C.  I know I said I wouldn't set foot in there on that day, I figured that my parents should have the full national experience, even if it meant a little heat and crowds.  It was not bad at all.  There were marching bands from all over the country and some great balloons.  I was surprised at how easy it was to get in and out.  Not at all the experience I was expecting.

 We enjoyed the big fireworks show from across the river in Lady Bird Park.  As close as you can get to the city, right on the banks of the Potomac River, but without the hoards of people. 

I think we have a whole new set of ways to celebrate the fourth.