hmmmm.... now it's Thursday: Happy Independence Day!
On Tuesday night, I made them take me to the nearest ON store. So we went to the outlet mall on the far side of Biloxi to look for a flag shirt from Old Navy - and just as you might think: had waited too close to July 4, when everyone in the US would (hopefully) be wearing their patriotic colors. The salesperson said I should come back on Thursday, when I assume there would be an emergency delivery of shirts printed with Old Glory, ON wording and the year. I didn't get there, so had to wear the one with 2000 on it instead. But I did look appropriately dressed all day.
We put off going to a local museum, featuring the 'Mad Potter of Biloxi', (an authentic 'character' in the Samuel Clemens sense of the word) so long that we missed our chance. There were lots of places not open for business. Apparently with employees deciding that Independence Day was a legitimate reason for taking the day off work, assumedly celebrating their independence from various bosses.
We had plans (promulgated by the guy who was our official decision maker for this escapade) to go out on a boat - a schooner - to watch fireworks on the water. This occasioned a meal by the pool, consisting of huge hamburgers, potato salad and baked beans. As most of us had eaten cheese-burgers for lunch, there was little appreciation or appetite for another round of moo-meat.
We were rounded up at 7:00, directed towards the boarding area, and got on the boat with about forty other people who were almost exclusively card-carrying AARP members. Alcohol being freely poured, you can imagine what the crowd was like, as they discovered their good fortune of being on board with all the scotch, rum and GreyGoose they could consume. Motoring out under the bridge, and into the bay, the 'deck hands' (all both of them) raised the sails and we experienced Wind Power for a mile or so, before it was time to reverse direction, when the sails were taken down. Cautioned about getting knocked senseless (to say nothing of overboard) by sails when we might unexpectedly change direction, we were soberly careful.
So we are slowly motoring back into the area for best viewing, noticing dozens, if not hundreds of other watercraft in close proximity. All of which would be seeking safe harbor and return of occupants to dry land after the show, and In The Dark. There are also hundreds and hundreds of people on the sandy beaches - picnic-ing,playing, swimming, playing, grilling, sitting in the sand, partying, playing, consuming vast quantities of (adult) beverages, yelling at the kids, etc.
There is a 'barrier island' for lack of a better word, more like a narrow spit of sand, well established enough to have vegetation, but not much more than sea oats, some scrubby cedars and undernourished volunteer pine trees. With literally dozens of boats, every size from shrimp trawlers to jet skis, parked in the shallow water, waiting for dark and the fireworks. Some folks sitting and/or picnicking on the island sand, others just sitting around in boats or inflatable floats. As it gets dark, there are fireworks going off Everywhere. On the beach, in a completely random manner. On the island. Apparently in some of the boats by people who were either seriously inebriated or certifiably crazy.
And eventually on the two barges that contained what we assume was the official, sactioned fireworks guys/display. A pretty nice show: until it started raining. Really hard, on fifty people crowded on a boat designed for occupancy of about six. I am sure we will look back on this and laugh heartily. I'm already pretty close to being able to say 'that was fun'. And as soon as I get all the wash done, and things get completely dried out from that unexpected salt water soaking, I plan to be amused.
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