americana

Showing 9 posts tagged americana

“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”

Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence, signed on July 4, 1776 (via caryrandolph)

as the 4th of July holiday beckons…

For years my family would venture off for an extended holiday weekend. Mostly it was Cape Cod (East Orleans), sometimes Maine & few times the New Jersey shore.  In the last 10 years families have grown & dispersed, thus sadly we no longer partake in these journeys. July 4th, like Thanksgiving, is a true American family/friends holiday. I find it best to stay home (in the US) if you’re not going to visit/stay with with friends elsewhere, as it can be quite lonely not going to the holiday parties.

I have traveled a few times, outside the country, during the July 4th holiday.  Which is quite an odd feeling, traveling on a major US holiday & having no acknowledgement of it whilst away.

A few years ago, I was in Lake Placid, NY for a surprise birthday party. We had some drama (as expected), the weather was miserable & I wasn’t near the beach (which I prefer over lakes & mountains) nonetheless it was a fun trip & a total surprise for the birthday boy.

For American’s who have a strong bond with America & it’s holidays, traveling to distant places without the company of family/friends is hard to plan & uncommon. [I’m invited every year at Thanksgiving to a cricket tournament in Sarasota, Florida; but as most of the local team are newer citizens they don’t have any connection to the holiday.] Though those who live in expensive cities, namely NYC & San Francisco, tend to have  people who don’t want to spend the money to travel home on these holidays - which is odd as it’s probably cheaper or equal cost to going local summer spots & partying.

These are also major traveling holidays, it’s worthwhile to extend your travel days by 1 day on either side. Philadelphia to Cape Cod is a 6-7 hour drive (360 miles or so). I once returned on the 5th which was a 15 hour drive, I won’t do that ever again.

For the 4th last year, I was planning a road trip starting on the 6th. Where I went to Hanover, NH & Tenants Harbor, ME. Visiting places I hadn’t been to in 10+ years. This year, I’ll probably spend at the shore reading, with nightly swims in the Atlantic.

(Over the years with my grandparents & older friends having skin cancers cut off; I’ve become wary of spending too much time in the sun. I’d love to sit on the beach all day, & do so when friends are around, but won’t on my own)

caryrandolph: A nibble, a bite, a taste of the great American summer.My favorite summer snack is a tall pile o’ Chesapeake Bay crabs washed down with an Arnold Palmer, preceded by water-skiing and followed with a nap. What’s yours? Dinner of steamed lobster (I steam them in beer, unsure if it makes a difference), corn on the cob, sliced tomatoes with basil, olive oil & balsamic vinegar. Finish with fresh cut strawberries with brown sugar & sour cream or vanilla liquor.  Enjoy whole thing with lime rum punches.  Preceded by body surfing in the Atlantic & backyard croquet, badminton &/or chatter.

caryrandolph:

A nibble, a bite, a taste of the great American summer.
My favorite summer snack is a tall pile o’ Chesapeake Bay crabs washed down with an Arnold Palmer, preceded by water-skiing and followed with a nap. What’s yours?

Dinner of steamed lobster (I steam them in beer, unsure if it makes a difference), corn on the cob, sliced tomatoes with basil, olive oil & balsamic vinegar. Finish with fresh cut strawberries with brown sugar & sour cream or vanilla liquor.  Enjoy whole thing with lime rum punches. 

Preceded by body surfing in the Atlantic & backyard croquet, badminton &/or chatter.