Yesterday we headed downtown again to watch the national fireworks. We caravanned out with 3 other families from our Friday night OCF Bible study, and we went to our usual watching point of the Carillion, next to the Iwo Jima Memorial. My friend Johanna and her family were there when we got there, and my boys had a great time playing football and frisbees with hers. Later on, Bob's sister Ann and her family came as well, including Christi and her new husband Andres.When we first got there, the weather was nice, but a little overcast. It started getting gloomier, and soon Red Cross people started coming around and telling us that big storms were on the way, and we were advised to seek cover. It wasn't even really raining at that point, so we all sat tight. Eventually it did start raining, and we hunkered down under a huge plastic sheet that Ed and Elizabeth had thoughtfully brought. Then the loud speaker came to life and said that severe weather was coming, with thunder, lightening, and high winds. Hmmm. So we packed up and made our way back to the hotel parking garage . . . except we never made it there. As we were walking back, the rain stopped, the skies got lighter and lighter, and we realized all we were doing was giving up our good space! So we turned around and went back. We had eaten our dinner (tuna sandwiches) before it started raining the first time, so this time we broke out the cookies and grapes. This was also when Ann and Wally showed up. When we were coming back, police officers had told us that another storm was expected around 7:00, and sure enough, it started raining again. I felt very wet, and I really wished I had brought our bag of light jackets that was in the back of the van. If we had gone back to the garage, I planned on getting them then! Christi was very nice and volunteered to go back with me (in the downpour) to get the jackets. Sure enough, as we got neared the garage, the rain let up and stopped! But we got the jackets, and I for one was glad to have them as it started raining one more time right before the fireworks started.
The first fireworks were lovely, but then the bad weather came back to bite us. The smoke just sort of lingered and never cleared, so we watched the rest of the fireworks through a malevolent dark cloud, as you can see by the picture below.
I'm sure you all have read A Wrinkle in Time, right? I thought we were seeing the "Dark Thing" that had so many planets under its evil grip, LOL. By the end of the display, you couldn't even really see the top of the Washington Monument anymore. But it was still a fun-filled evening, and I'm glad we went. Maybe the weather will be better next year!
4 comments:
We had ominus clouds too but thankfully it never did rain for us. The clouds soon parted and it was a delightful night to watch fireworks, along with a breeze which blew our smoke away from us. Very thoughtful of the wind, I thought! ;)
What a difference a year makes! This time last year UJ wasn't even finished with his radiation treatments!
Wow, I'm impressed Claire! We were in Alexandria with Matt's brother and we chickened out of going :-) Every time we've gone to DC for fireworks over the years, it's stormed on us. You all are troopers!
We had a great time out there despite the rain. Thanks for inviting us and showing us a good place to watch. Our friends who went to the Army Navy Club to watch the show, saw nothing. The cloud of smoke completely obstructed their view.
Claire,
you never cease to amaze me as a mom, fellow homeschooler and now another baby! can I come and train under you for a month or something? your boys look so well behaved. i'm sure my boys would love to hang out with them with the star wars and legos you talk about. i was just telling my mom #7 was on the way for you and Bob... what a neat family. we are still praying about #4 or adopting overseas... who knows. on a side note, we have some dear friends moving to the DC area from our church. sweet couple, no kids. She will be working at International Justice Mission in Arlington and her husband Mike is still job hunting. If we ever go visit them, would love to swing by and see you and your sweet family!
take care!
Post a Comment