Our July 4th Experience
Yesterday was quiet. There was no family picnic, no BBQ at the park, no trip to the amusement park and no visiting with family and friends. The hubs and I had a nice time at home with our mini dachshund, and dog-sitting our daughter's Catahoula/Aussie mix, who is not a firework fan. Many cities around us (KC area) cancelled their fireworks shows, but apparently the town we live in decided it was A-OK to go ahead. I guess they thought that since most people gather in parking lots, empty fields, etc., around where they are shooting off the fireworks, it would be "ok."
Well, in no small part due to the aforementioned city-wide cancellations, everybody and their dog figured our town was the "place to be" and the hordes came streaming in. Social distancing? They'd never heard of it. Huge groups parked almost on top of each other, lawn chairs out, coolers, kids running around ... it was a free-for-all. Masks? Who needs 'em? Even the local police (who were at almost every intersection, weren't wearing them, and this is in a State and County where masks are mandatory. I guess since it was a holiday they all decided to take the day off from following the Governor's order. Traffic was an absolute mess, and people were parking far away and "walking in" to see the display. We drove to an isolated spot, stayed in our car, and got the hell out of Dodge as soon as it was over. We never even rolled down the windows. Sadly, the masses were packed in the more popular spots, cheek to jowl, with seemingly not a care in the world.
I'm thinking numbers are going to go up around here, as added into the numbers of fireworks aficionados, there were tons of people in the KC area who still thought it was a good idea to go to the lake, drink, and stand in close proximity to their equally drunk and sunburned friends.
But, on the flip side, we made some nice hamburgers, my Mom's potato salad recipe, and had some delicious sliced tomatoes.
Stay safe everyone -- wash your hands and wear your masks!
