I wanted to wish everyone Happy 4th of July, we are heading for the coast via the wineries in Paso tomorrow, will spend the 4th-6th at my wife's brothers house in Cayucos near Morro Bay for his annual 4th of July bash.
I've stayed away from the booze since my birthday, so it's about time to get back on that horse
Everyone be safe and enjoy the Holiday!

I am in Breckenridge, Colorado on vacation, and up here in the mountains, things are so dry that there is a good chance that they won't be able to shoot fireworks, which to me is a great ending to a great day of celebration. The good thing is that there are all sorts of things going on during the day right here, so my family and I will have plenty of stuff to do.

Hey Nick! I hope you're having a great time in Breckenridge! Enjoy that mountain air!

They may still shoot them off over Lake Dillon.

The last time we were in Colorado was over the 4th, a couple of years ago. It was extremely dry. Lots of red flag warnings, no campfires allowed anywhere, many displays canceled, etc. But they were allowed to shoot them off over Lake Dillon. Check it out. It was a pretty good display. Just arrive early, it was nearly impossible to find a parking spot. We parked over by Frisco.

Personally, I'll be packing up the car. My wife and I are heading up to a beach house on Lake Michigan for a week of R&R.

Hiding in my house while the most illegal fireworks ever are shot off and the cops do nothing.

I swear, last year people had full on sky bursters, as in the ones you use when you're doing a pro show.

Heh heh heh. Yeah, I used to do those. Fireworks are illegal here in Illinois, but they're not in Missouri. I remember being a kid and my Dad and I would always take a drive to Missouri this time of year. We'd fill the whole trunk with goodies. We used to go to these big family parties (out in the country, on their private property) where he and I would basically be the pyrotechnic crew. We put on some good displays. Ahh memories.

Yeah, but I bet you didn't have the 3 inch mortars, etc.

Like 3 inches in diameter? Wow. Uh, no, nothing quite that big!

Everything we bought (as far as I know!) was legal for regular people to buy. None of it was the 'professional grade' stuff, except for some 'real' M-80's that my father once somehow acquired.

That's what I'm saying, people were apparently buying professional grade stuff. There was a bust last year, but somehow I suspect they'll get more this year.

Sweet! I need to get some of those...


Anyway- I will be going out to my grandparents cabin. Lots people comming out so the cabin will be full... going to set up my tent.

Right back at you there Michael, hope you have a great time and drink plenty of the good stuff!

The fishing has been slow near shore so I was hoping for a 50 or 60 mile trip offshore to the east side of the gulf stream (what we call the backside) where the fishing is supposed to be much better, but the weather has been very stormy and it's been hitting early these past couple of weeks and I don't feel like tangling with one of those critters in my boat ... so, I don't know what's on the agenda for the weekend.

Hope all of you Muppets have a great 4th of July!