Fireworks in Mid-America

While we wait patiently for Jason to get around to finishing his blog post on his trip to the Orient, I'll post on our Independence Day adventures. We spent the Fourth in Ohio with Jason's family. I like the small-town, mid-western Fourth of July. There is something so nice about the local fireworks show and the red, white, and blue bunting hanging from centuries-old farmhouses. We had a grand time grilling with Jason's grandparents and celebrating America.

Mount Vernon, Ohio's, fireworks display was something to write home about. The county is celebrating it's bicentennial and we had great seats for the show! I know that pictures of fireworks don't ever turn out (I don't know why the camera bothers with a "fireworks" setting), but if you didn't get a great show this Fourth, here's a taste of ours. (Minus, of course, the post-game show, which starred Jason and Justin and a large pile of old bottle rockets on the driveway...)

Saturday morning Jason, Lynda, and I walked down to the Square in town to peruse the weekly farmer's market, then George joined us for a visit to the state capitol and the German Village in Columbus. It was a gorgeous day, and we really enjoyed walking around the quaint old neighborhood, but Sauerbraten und Gravy at Schmidt's Sausage Haus was definitely the highlight. Actually, let's face it, this picture was the highlight. Javoll, alles gut!

On Saturday night we joined Justin for the Apple Valley fireworks display, then we packed up and left after church on Sunday morning. It was a grueling trip home, what with holiday weekend traffic, but even so we are so glad we were able to go!