July 3rd and 4th in Haines

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We decided to “do” the walking tour of Haines Sunday morning, but the wind was howling and it was cold. The buildings weren’t open until afternoon, so back home we went to catch up on blogs and photos. Cooked a nice steak for lunch, added some broccoli and a caprese salad.

As we were sitting at the Johnsons for happy hour, out the front window, a gorgeous rainbow appeared. Soon, a couple eagles flew into the picture and we watched them as they scanned the water for food. Later, the cruise ships meandered down the canal towards Juneau. All the while, the clouds and the mountains keep changing patterns; it is mesmerizing as the white clouds sit atop the mountains like puffy mounds of whipped cream, then move on and turn gray and ominous as they drift up the canal.

America’s Birthday and we are celebrating at the Haines parade and picnic, small town America at its best. What a fun day it’s been, chilly this morning, but in the 60’s by mid-day. Moment of the morning was at the parade. As the young man was reading the Declaration of Independence in his most poignant voice, around the corner and up Main St. came the parade, with police car sirens blaring. The Mistress of Ceremonies kept trying to get the attention of the lead car to cut the sirens, giving the hand signal to cut it. Finally, it all worked out. The Men of Note sang the National Anthem and the parade floats paraded by the judges’ stand. The floats ranged from decorated bicycles to ambulances to power & light company trucks to a guy trailering a kayak behind his bicycle. After the parade, we wandered to the area for the Mud Volleyball tournament. Teams were forming and the ground was being prepared with water. The pictures tell the story. Our noses beckoned us towards the picnic grounds where smells of grilled hamburgers, hot dogs and brats were wafting in the air. Around the grounds, groups were sponsoring children’s games, a bake sale, a nail pounding contest, a watermelon feed, face-painting, and a pie-eating contest. The pie-eating contest was great – divided into age group categories. I watched the 5-7 year olds and was very impressed at their abilities (with hands behind their backs).

We have our alarms set for the fireworks that start at 11:00. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

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Photos

The Rainbow
What a beautiful sight that just appeared out the front window.

Eagles
Just after the rainbow, we were treated to an eagle display.

Eagles
The eagle has landed!

A BIG steak!
Big enough to share

Men of Note
Really good men's vocal group singing the National Anthem

Linda and Linda
watching the parade

Parade float entry
This one might have been our very favorite!

Jim and me
watching the parade

View
View from the mud volleyball court

Preparing the court
It's very bit as gooey as it looks

Contestants
One of the first teams to play in the mud volleyball games

A player
She was going home to clean up

Mud volleyball
Doesn't this just make you want to sign right up?

Grill smells
The smell of grilled meats blew all around the park

Pie eaters
These guys weren't in the contest, but they sure enjoyed their slices