A Tale Of Three Fireworks Displays
Last night we partied with other Americans at a neighbor's house in Cabo. The house has an absolutely gorgeous rooftop deck with a beautiful view of the famous rocks at Land's End. As soon as we heard the first pop of fireworks, my husband and I grabbed our kids and rushed up there. And it's a good thing we rushed. The entire display lasted about three minutes, tops.
My in-laws made it up the stairs just as the show had ended. My daughters were very disappointed, more used to the lengthy fireworks display in Washington, D.C. (not to mention the dozens of neighborhood fireworks set off throughout the night in wonderful defiance of city laws). I told my daughters that the presence of any fireworks while in a foreign land were a blessing and nothing to complain about. I may have been onto something.
The photo above shows what happened when San Diego accidentally set off every single firework it had at once. Their display was even shorter than ours! Their display also was much more awesome in that one moment.
But the prize for worst fireworks display has to go to Depoe Bay, Oregon. Via Jim Geraghty this morning:
The coastal town of Depoe Bay is about to experience its quietest July 3 in 19 years.
Town officials this year reluctantly announced they were cancelling the annual pre-Independence Day fireworks show, following pressure from federal wildlife managers who said the noise disrupts protected sea birds.
Business owners, dependent on the popular show for foot traffic, are not happy.
"It's a great loss to our community," said Peggy Leoni, co-owner of Trollers Lodge, a small motel in Depoe Bay.
But Rebecca Chuck, deputy project leader with the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, said the move was necessary to protect species such as the Brandt's cormorant that nest at Pirates Cove. The cove is less than a mile south of Boiler Bay, where the fireworks show is held, and seabird colonies on the north coast face intensifying pressure from bald eagles and other predators.
When Mexico gives you more freedom fireworks than some locales in the United States, you know something is wrong.
I hope all of you had a blessed Independence Day. Despite one of the first questions I received at my party being "Don't you love President Obama?" things went great at mine.
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Comments:
Mar '11
Re: A Tale Of Three Fireworks Displays
In Florida, the only way that unlicensed citizens are allowed to purchase fireworks is if we sign a form indicating that the purchase is for scaring birds off railroad tracks and other "agricultural" purposes.
So basically, all we do is scare birds down here on the Fourth. A lot.
Jun '10
Re: A Tale Of Three Fireworks Displays
I had to do a double-take. The image you've used looks like the top of my head after I step out of the shower.
Dec '10
Re: A Tale Of Three Fireworks Displays
As you know, Mollie, banning fireworks is a perennial debate in Colorado due to the wildfire hazard. This year, word got out that even sparklers were banned, and near as I can tell, people were in full compliance. Things were pretty subdued around here after Waldo Canyon.
Good news though -- it's 100% contained!!
Re: A Tale Of Three Fireworks Displays
Western Chauvinist: As you know, Mollie, banning fireworks is a perennial debate in Colorado due to the wildfire hazard. This year, word got out that even sparklers were banned, and near as I can tell, people were in full compliance. Things were pretty subdued around here after Waldo Canyon.
Good news though -- it's 100% contained!! · 3 minutes ago
That is fantastic news. Thanks for the update!
Dec '10
Re: A Tale Of Three Fireworks Displays
One of the local shows here almost didn't happen. The munitions went up in smoke accidentally and a month early, but a citizen came through. http://kitsapsun.com/news/2012/jul/04/poulsbo-man-wouldnt-let-fireworks-displays-go-up/ (sorry for not embedding, kindle posting today.)
Aug '11
Re: A Tale Of Three Fireworks Displays
Looks like a Georgia O'Keefe painting to me . . .
May '12
Re: A Tale Of Three Fireworks Displays
Brian, you beat me to the punch. Does Sue Ann Niven use the top of your head to check her makeup?
Re: A Tale Of Three Fireworks Displays
I spent last night on a chilly beach inside the city limits of liberal Santa Cruz, California. Guess what? The thousands gathering around family campfires were treated to a 2-hour continuous show of fireworks from all directions, many of professional quality, all launched safely over the ocean by regular citizens quietly working in concert to nullify California's absolute ban on fireworks.
The police were out in force but were overwhelmed by the sheer number of free citizens violating an ordinance devoid of any moral imperative.
Hopefully, this behavior is a foreshadowing of the public response to Obamacare if it survives to full implementation: cheerfully collaborate to ignore the law.
Edited on July 5, 2012 at 8:52pmMay '10
Re: A Tale Of Three Fireworks Displays
Be glad you weren't in San Diego where the planned 20 minute display went up in a grand total of 15 seconds....
Jun '10
Re: A Tale Of Three Fireworks Displays
Only when Lou, Ted, Murray and Mary aren't looking. :-)
Jun '10
Re: A Tale Of Three Fireworks Displays
George Savage: I spent last night on a chilly beach inside the city limits of liberal Santa Cruz, California. Guess what? The thousands gathering around family campfires were treated to a 2-hour continuous show of fireworks from all directions, many of professional quality, all launched safely over the ocean by regular citizens quietly working in concert to nullify California's absolute ban on fireworks.
The police were out in force but were overwhelmed by the sheer number of free citizens violating an ordinance devoid of any moral imperative.
Hopefully, this behavior is a foreshadowing of the public response to Obamacare if it survives to full implementation: cheerfully collaborate to ignore the law. · 6 hours ago
Edited 6 hours ago
It gives me an idea that citizens' militias could protect lemonade stands from the jack-booted authorities who show up to shut them down and issue citations to little girls. Please let Janet and Eric know that I'm kidding. No, really, it's a joke...please put the cuffs away...I promise not to make fun of the authorities ever again...No, really. I am NOT being sarcastic...don't taze me, man...don't do it...aaarrr-yeeeow!!