July has been a month of travel – at least so far. Not much of it very far, unless you consider Adams, Mass. the ends of the earth. (Some do.)
On July 3rd we packed up Lola Corolla and headed north from the Nutmeggiest State to the Berkshires for a few days of Independence Day-themed fun and games. Brother Mike and Brother Justin were both going to be home and it shaped up to be a good time.
And it was!
The morning of July 4th we headed south from Adams to Pittsfield for the annual Fourth of July parade. We meandered over to the vicinity of North and Summer streets and took in the festivities. For the uninitiated, North Street is the main drag in Pittsfield’s downtown and its slow, steady decay over the decades continues to be the source of much debate, hand-wringing and I-told-you-so, we should have (insert simplistic solution here) finger wagging.
I was surprised that we were able to put up our lawn chairs for a curbside seat at 9:30 a.m. as the 5K Independence Day Run got going. That never would have been possible before.
The girls loved the parade, as you can see.
Three cheers for the red white and blue!
Alyssa and Sofia get a closer look at the festivities.
We're not lion -- Sofia loved this balloon.
The ladies share an umbrella and a chair.
Me? Well … to be certain Pittsfield is a different place than it was in the 70s and 80s and I’m not a kid anymore. And I wonder if it’s just me … if it’s a case of things seeming bigger and better in my memory because they were more impressive in the eyes of the young. But I don’t think so. Back in the day there would be several top-flight drum corps and marching bands in the lineup, a number of creative floats and North Street would be five or six deep all the way up the route. Even the small details, like banner-holders wearing matching outfits and smiling on the route, were paid attention in those days. It was a big deal and people treated it as such.
This year, there were more politicians and would-be office-holders than there floats or bands. (I think I’m the only one not running for state senate.) As many participants in the thing sulked as smiled.
Are we having fun yet?
I’m sorry, my home town, it was lame. But I squashed the temptation to yell “This is all your fault!” at the Mayor and City Council when they marched by. But Sofia and Alyssa loved it and in the end that's what matters.
After the parade we headed over to the Sukiennik compound and had a great little cookout, complete with ribs, beans and the annual batch of Sangria … mmmmm. And we walked down the street to see our friends the Conrys and caught up with them. They’re doing well.
Grandpa, Sofia and Uncle Mike share some quality time watching the ribs cook.
Dad and Sofia with Uncle Mike. Sofia is wearing a pretty dress that Aunt Corrine bought her! Aunt Corrine .. she sure knows style.
Sofia shares a moment with Uncle Justin.
That night we headed over to see Michelle’s Italian aunties, Nina and Giovanina, and her cousins, which is a great vantage point from which to see the fireworks from Wahconah Park. It seemed every house in the Onota Street neighborhood had its own fireworks .. not just piddly Roman candles mind you, but exhibition-quality fusillades of color. It was sensory overload .. as if the neighborhood was under attack. Nina and Giovanina were both doing well and as gracious as ever with their constant offers of food and drink. They also hugged and kissed Sofia to pieces and taught her a few Italian phrases, like “I’m a pretty girl.” ( bella something or other, I don’t recall.)
On Thursday, we headed to Mystic for a daycation at Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Seaport.
“I see a whale.”
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Sofia had a marvelous time at penguin feeding time and looking at all the sea creatures in the aquarium, some of which she recognized from a book on the seashore that last long been a favorite of hers. That was pretty neat.
Mom and Sofia check out the wildlife.
Sofia sees a penguin swimming! (In the water, on the left.)
Sofia, meet Ray. Ray, meet Sofia.
Then we went to Mystic Seaport, a museum of life and the oceans in the 19th Century (which makes sense since Mystic was a major seaport at that time). Sofia loved looking at and climbing aboard all the different kinds of ships of that era – schooners, whalers, etc .
Well shiver me timbers! Avast ye scurvy dogs!
Some old salts never do get used to life on land.
The museum also had plenty of nautical-themed fun for kids, which she enjoyed as well.
Sofia observes the Magnusen Act and adheres to strict catch limits.
"I was riding on the Mayflower when I thought I spied some land ..."
"Look on over yonder, cut the engines change the sails."
"I got back and ripped the parking ticket off the mast..."
"I asked the captain what his name was and how come he didn't drive a truck, he said his name was Columbus, I just said 'good luck.'"
(preceding four quotes from "Bob Dylan's 115th Dream" by Bob Dylan.)
We capped our trip with a meal at Bill's Seafood in Westport, a "cute little seaside town" as Michelle said. The girl was very well behaved and so we rewarded her with the best of all possible rewards .. chocolate ice cream.
The epitome of satisfaction: a face full of chocolate.
