Life in a Northern Town...

Yes, another song. While this is probably not the best song to give a glimpse of life in a small town, it's one I like. So bear with me...

The 4th of July. At home, it's not really that big of a deal. You may barbeque, may swim, probably will get a sunburn, and maybe watch Rubidoux burn. You may even wear red, white, and blue. But it's certainly not as big as, say, Christmas or Easter or Thanksgiving. At least not in my family. There's nothing wrong with that! Everyone who knows me well knows how much I don't like fireworks. I don't like the heat or the sun, so staying inside is just fine with me! But we forget, don't we. We forget the reasoning behind the 4th. On facebook, some friends put quotes about the 4th and freedom up. I was blown away:

"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism." ~Erma Bombeck

"Liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood." ~ John Adams 1765 Thank you to all our troops who sacrifice all of the above to ensure freedom. Happy 4th of July! Let freedom ring!

The 4th of July is the biggest holiday here in Juneau. Maybe it's because it's the only holiday that has a CHANCE of decent weather - no snow or rain...Well, the no snow is a guarentee...People go all out. Cars are decorated, families match in their red, white, and blue outfits that they can only wear this time of year, and barbecues are going everywhere!!!

The festivities started July 3. In Juneau around this time of year, it doesn't get completely dark. So, to set off fireworks, they wait until midnight on the 3rd (I guess that's technically the 4th...). So we went to Amy's aunt and uncle's house for hotdogs and to hang out until it was time for the fireworks. We had a great time. Then the fireworks. They shoot off the fireworks off a barge in the middle of the channel here in Juneau. There's mountains all around, so the boom echos through the mountains. The fireworks weren't anything to write home about, but the way cool part of it was the echo. I wish you were here to experience that with me!

Then, we had the 4th of July parade. It was similar to the one last year, with the floats and the bands. They had one alum high school band that was so fun. They were all playing, trying to keep in step, and taped a piece of yellow duct tape to their skirt/shorts/pants so they were all "matching". And, there were bagpipers! That was my favorite! It was great. Again, people in the parade stopped along the route to say hi to people along the sidelines. Welcome to small town! Everyone comes to this parade. There's serious street closure downtown and families come out early in the morning for a prime spot. It's very fun. As we walked back to the car, we walked through the old graveyard downtown. It was very interesting, and VERY old. We found the graves of Joseph Juneau and Richard Harris - two of the founders of Juneau! I put the pictures in the blog above this one, so hopefully this isn't too confusing...

Amy and I then went to her house and made shish-kabobs. We make mean shish-kabobs, let me tell you! We both got sunburned (yes, we get sunburned in Alaska too...) and were so tired. We watched a movie and then went to bed. Getting up for church the next day was tough, but even that was good.

I'm so glad for freedom. We are so blessed, and we don't even think about it! I truly hope your 4th was safe, enjoyable, and memorable. You are loved and missed!

Blessings!