4th of July Fun

This 4th of July in our firs real one in Austin. Why? You may ask? Well, it’s because this is the first year that the Austin Symphony played the 4th spectacular along the banks of Lady Bird Lake on the Auditorium Shores.

The symphony puts on a “Pops”-based production in a lead-up to The Grand Finale Tchaikovksy’s 1812 Overture played to its dramatic crescendo accompanied by a 45-mm howitzer carted in from nearby Camp Mabry. That’s how we roll in the Lone Star State, yo.

Lauren, still suffering from her Canadian cold, was a bit touch-and-go throughout the day, but assented to make the pilgrimage that evening. My mom had bought us a great picnic backpack a few years ago ( knives, forks, cloth napkins, the whole 9 ) and so we packed it up with cokes, crackers, cheese, and headed down.

We found a parking lot on 5th and Rio Grande and had a short walk across the 1st street bridge to the Shores.

There were many concessions and artisan vendors surrounding the area, but we found a comfy spot, spread my outdoor blanket and sat down to enjoy the show.

The evening was surprisingly comfortable and mosquito-free. The air was humid enough to keep us warm, but not so much to be oppressive ( as has been the case in other years ). Also, the rain element played along and neither muddied the grounds prior to the show, nor did it menace during.

Lauren is not innately refulgent, it’s the Off!

The music was great and after the final cannon-blast the fireworks began. It was a wonderful, light display and we had a great time.

After, we walked back to Little Woodrow’s and had a drink while we waited out the traffic. We then packed up and went home. ‘Twas a good 4th.

austin