As much as I am an American History buff, I have never celebrated the 4th of July in our nation’s capitol, until this year. My daughter Michelle, is starting an internship with Senator Carl Levin’s D.C. office, so Gail, Michelle and I decided to arrive a few days early and spend some time sightseeing.
Aside from the blistering heat, (low 90’s every day) it has been a thoroughly enjoyable time. (Apparently, citizens of the D.C. area treat the Heat Index they way we Michiganders brag about the Wind Chill. It is a staple of the local TV weather report.)
We stumbled into the Smithsonian’s Folklife Festival. This year it was Hungarian Heritage: Roots to Revival. It featured highly skilled masters and apprentices from rural areas, as well as musicians, dancers, and artisans from more urban settings. The Festival program highlighted the vitality of this culture, including wonderful crafts such as baskets and saddles.
But the highlight of the trip, of course, was the watching the fireworks on the National Mall. Sitting near the Capitol you see the fireworks behind and above the Washington Monument. Here are a few photos. Enjoy.
Tags: 4th of July, America, Independence Day, Travel, Washington D.C.
