4th of July

We are on vacation...up north. Up north - where all is calm and relaxing. The beach is perfect, the pace is slow, the ice cream is to die for.


There are no stop lights in the whole county. Fast food restaurants do not exist. The stores are quaint and lovable. The roads are lined with grape vine fields and cherry trees. Every few miles there is a road side stand selling cherries and raspberries with a little box to put your money in.

This place is summer to me. I've been coming here each summer since 1987. 24 years...the land stays the same while I age.

Today we got to witness the quirky fun parade in town that almost seems to have a cult following. As I walked to the grocery store at 8 am I noticed that chairs were already put out to hold a spot for the 3 pm parade. You would think that would be a symbol for a do not miss event and that is true...to miss it would be unpatriotic. It would be a slap in the face of the county of Leelanau. For this parade truly highlights all things that matter...

Like the snow plow...


And the septic company...

And the Fishtown Tap Dancing School and Bait Shop...

We were so fortunate to get a performance right in front of us. Which got this reaction from my very hard to please father...who wasn't quite sure what to make of it all...

The kids had to work for their candy this year since they were neck and neck with a whole slew of kids who were decked out in red, white, and blue. The competitors were aggressive and started the 2010 "war of the Toostie Roll". Just look at them with their acquired yellow cups...vultures.


Elise had a good time. She clapped for both the democrats and the republicans, danced to the kazoo band, and had a Disney flashback when the Huntington Bank mascot walked by.


So, the 4th of July 2010 was perfect. A day at the beach, a great cheesy parade, and a hefty dose of ice cream. Tomorrow is road side cherry stand day!