July 4 on Ocracoke was so much fun. My brother was here, as was our friend Jim from Manteo. We sat on the pizer and told stories, and laughed and shared good food. We also walked on the beach and frolicked in the waves. We were so busy having fun on the 4th (witnessing the flag raising ceremony, admiring classic cars, holding our breath as the sky divers made harder than average landings only yards from where we were standing, chatting with Dale & Chester at the lighthouse, and patting the ponies) that we never even made it to the sand sculpture contest. By noon we realized we only had time to get a quick bite to eat, and then put the final touches on our parade float.
We had created a spoof on Grant Wood's American Gothic, with clam rake instead of pitchfork, and it was a hoot to stare straight ahead with deadpan looks, and then to give stiff, formal waves to the crowds lining the parade route. And we won 3rd place for floats! Here's a photo:
Of course, the day would not have been complete without fireworks. We joined other friends on the schooner Windfall as rockets and flares lit up the sky behind the old Coast Guard station. Afterwards we joined in one voice to sing the Star Spangled Banner, then enjoyed sheet cake baked like a flag (with white icing, blueberries, & strawberries).
Back home we closed out the day with more stories and laughter on the pizer.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is Lou Ann's account of installing an old-fashioned pitcher pump. You can read it here.
We've heard so much about the 4th of July Celebration on Ocracoke that we already booked that week for 2009. We hope to go on another ghost walk since my son Avery (and I) enjoyed them so much. It is hard to explain the small town feeling the village gives us. We live in a small town in Iowa but feel right at home on Ocracoke mostly from the friendliness from those who live there.
ReplyDeleteI liked the float. I drive through Eldon (IA) almost everyday of the week to work, which is where the house is located from Grant Wood's American Gothic painting.
Can't wait until next year.