Happily Chaotic: July 4th weekend

For the second year in a row, at the boys' request, we returned to Cuttyhunk for the long holiday weekend. They both remembered the good time we had last year, especially at "Shipwreck Beach" (their name for it - it's actually called Barge's Beach) and wanted to return for more fun. Unlike last year however, Friday was a perfect boating day, so the harbor was already packed when we arrived around 9:00 p.m. Last year it was a foggy night, so most people held off traveling til Saturday morning, giving us a pick of the mooring field. This time it took awhile to find something, but we did manage to snag a pole for the first night. Ironically, the pole was owned by Charlie Tilton - father of Skip Tilton. Rev. Tilton visited our Church last year, speaking on the subject of Creationism, and we had had the opportunity to speak to him a bit afterwards. He had told us he grew up on Cuttyhunk and that his father still lived there. When Charlie came to collect the pole fee in the morning, we introduced ourselves and spoke to him about how we enjoyed meeting his son. Poles are fine but we appeared to be in "Big Boatville" so when a mooring closer to the entrance of the harbor became available on Saturday morning, we grabbed it, and stayed there the rest of the weekend. The weather was perfect all weekend. High 90's but with a nice breeze, and the atmosphere of course was quite festive. The water was REALLY warm and we spent alot of time just swimming off the boat, but we did manage some trips to the beach at the entrance to the harbor, and made the much anticipated return to Shipwreck beach. On both Saturday and Sunday afternoons we were lucky enough to catch the Raw Bar (a floating raw bar that serves the best chowder, as well as fresh oysters, clams, and shrimp. I love the chowder and Mike the shrimp, and the boys both love the chowder as well. It's the perfect late afternoon indulgence. We also went ashore a few times and got ice cream on the dock. Always overpriced, but it's another local treat we can't quite resist. Sunday morning we were happy to sit back with a second cup of coffee and watch the July 4th parade of dinghy's. The boys got the biggest kick out of watching the decorated boats pass by one by one. They put on their own Uncle Sam hats and waved their flags as the parade passed by the bow. Harry especially thought it was "really really fun", and after a four year battle to bring Harry home to America, seeing him proudly wave to everyone while waving his own little flag was a scene that held its own meaning for us.

The fourth is, of course Levi's birthday, and he too was with us for this weekend trip. The parade was followed by cards and gifts, and then a trip to the beach to soak up some sun and watch the boats enter and leave the harbor. The highlight of the day though was the fireworks, and although my camera batteries had died by then, we did see a great display. You'll just have to take my word for it.

When dinnertime rolled around none of us were ready to leave, but we knew it was inevitable. Hopefully we'll get back there this year before the season ends - but if not - there's always next year!