Independence Day

At least a million of my fellow Americans decided to show up in the nation's capital for the Fourth. This little guy is enjoying himself and his ice cream at the parade.
I wasn't aware the US and Taiwan had an everlasting friendship, but this float fortunately cleared that up.
Here's a classy lad in knickers. One of the many reasons I cannot resist parades.
After hanging out at the FolkLife Festival (an annual celebration that features the art and culture of different countries: this year's were southeast Asia and Northern Ireland) we lined up to get a spot to see the fireworks from the capitol steps. Then, all of a sudden, the cops show up.

Sirens were blaring, bullhorns were out. And all we could hear was "Get into the parking garage!"

After all this crazy London/Glasgow terrorist stuff, I would have been a bit panicked by all this hubbub. But fortunately, a gentleman in our party was prepared with the brand new iPhone. Within a matter of seconds, he'd checked the Drudge Report and learned we were evacuated on account of a TORNADO WARNING!!

We were not swept away. In fact, little came out of that weather warning besides some torrential rain. The eight of us hung out at Union Station and ate pizza, shopped and took pictures to pass the time.

By the time we were allowed out and back into the line leading up to capitol, and by the time we actually entered the capitol premises, the place was swarming with people. To our chagrin, we realized that the only remaining spots were views of trees. So we booked it to the Washington Mall just in time to see the show.

Watching fireworks with the Washington Monument in the foreground was surreal. The thousands of people on the lawn were in this eerie hush, watching the colors explode in the sky. It was beautiful and patriotic and wonderful.