Independence Day!

Let's not be too picky about the "July 4th" date, since no one got around to signing the Declaration of Independence until some time in August 1776, and some folks got credit as signatories even months later.

The night of July 3, 2007 was lovely and dark, with fireworks around us in multiple directions. The authorized ones were predictably more elaborate, and reflected nicely in the water.









By contrast, on July 4th, the sun that broiled us during brunch (and lured us onto the water for a quick sail on the most technologically advanced sailboat ever) hid its face around 12:30 p.m. and a serious chill set in as we headed in to harbor. We then ran into a lobster trap that was inauspiciously placed in the middle of the channel, and lost power. This was all a prelude to my mad dash to catch the 5 o'clock bus back to New York, so it was very exciting. A grim, gloomy, twilit drizzle welcomed me back to the city. Boats were already lined up in the East River to watch the fireworks:


Famous buildings loomed overhead.