Pottawattamie Park

We spent last Sunday at Pottawattamie Park in Grand Haven. It was a balmy day, great for a family reunion! Noel climbed up on top of the Tahoe to get a better view of the lake. I finished reading Randy Wayne White's new novel, Dead Silence.

Independence Day

It was slightly overcast all day, but in the late afternoon, just before the parade was to start, the sun came out. These beautiful maple trees provided shade for us as we watched the parade in Mason, Michigan.

The parade in Mason seems like a Norman Rockwell calendar event. Crowds always gather around the Ingham County courthouse. Families of all shapes, sizes and configurations bring their lawn chairs and blankets to watch the parade.

We set up our chairs on the corner of Barnes and Ash Streets. This point was nearer the end point of the parade (and much closer to the parking lot!) We were across the street from the court house. There were tons of people and twice as many mosquitos.

The color guard led the parade. It is, afterall, the reason for the celebration, right? My dad participated as a color guard through the American Legion for many years, both in my hometown of Harbor Beach and then in Fort Myers Beach during retirement. We learned from my parents, flag etiquette. It is really amazing how many people either didn't learn, don't remember or just don't care.

This is the truck that Beth bought three times! Noel loves the truck!

These ladies were having a great time! They were making rounds before the parade when I asked to take their picture. They said they had been complaining that there were no queens in the Mason parade and thought it a tragedy. Someone told them to change that---so they created their own float and became queens for the day. They were having a spendid time and people at the parade enjoyed seeing them have such a good time. In no way, did they take themselves seriously!