Fourth of July - Anisquam

This post has been waiting in the wings for a bit....had to finish Africa, then there was Ryan's new bike....oh well. Better late than never!

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For anyone who thinks they are a big fan of July 4th, you'd better think again. This year we were unable to join our friends in Montana (sigh...we are still bummed about that!) but we did the next best thing. We went to Anisquam.

Sure, you've never heard of Anisquam, but that's because very few are "in the know" on this one. A very select New-England-Ultra-Proud-Yankee few are in the know. And now, so are you.

My lovely coworker Elinor lives in Anisquam - a village outside of Gloucester, MA. You've probably heard of Gloucester in one way or another because of George Clooney. Yes indeed, THE George Clooney, though I can safely say he looks more dashing in a tuxedo. (above)..he was one of the stars in the film "The Perfect Storm" seen below in rather drab attire.
The "Perfect Storm" was set in Gloucester and most likely even filmed in Gloucester. As I always prefer, the film was also based on a true story about a gigantic storm off the coast of Gloucester on the mighty Atlantic.

My friend Elinor lives in Anisquam with her parents in a very old house. It was built in 1846 or 1864, I can't remember which. But it is old and it sits on the banks of Lobster Cove. How cool is that?

Elinor told us to arrive around 9:00 AM because the village parade would start around 10:00 AM. It is a "village parade" because it is literally composed of everyone living in the village save a few families who sit on their lawn to watch the rest of us walk by. That's right, the rest of us were in the parade, my Ryan, Elinor and my other coworker Qin. The first time I was in a parade I cracked my big toe in the car door beforehand and had to stand on a float for a very long time. Wincing in pain. That was 4th grade.

I was in another parade during my senior year of high school when I was a homecoming queen candidate. I rode in a stunning 1968 (or was it 1965??) corvette ...the actual "poster car" for its year and I waved as if I were true royalty. I didn't win Homecoming Queen but that's okay - I had a lot of fun.

So this was my third parade experience and it was truly unlike the others. Right at 10 AM the village bell rang (it was just around the corner located at the Anisquam Library) and everyone poured into the streets.
That's me on the left in a khaki shirt and black skirt...I was a disgrace in my non-patriotic colors. Elinor is featured in teal and a very lovely hat, and Qin in her white top and orange pants. I guess we were all a bit disgraceful in our every-day wear. The rest of the village put us to deep shame.

Lady Liberty showed up....
A woman in all flags joined in...

The Village band showed up...


Even the dogs came for this parade! Big dogs...
and the small dogs too....


The only person who didn't show up was George Clooney, but I guess that was to be expected.

I guess that I'm not one to be deterred by public shame over my drab colors as I'm seen here wearing festive (but not patriotic) sunglasses and tooting a celebratory party toy. I was giving it my all and I figured if George Clooney looked drab when he was in Gloucester, well, I could look drab in Anisquam.


After the parade we retired to Elinor's house for a brief stint and then went to the beach to look for sand dollars and touch the lighthouse on the rocks. The water was frigid (reminding me of Flathead Lake in MT so I guess that was my connection to "home" that day) so frisbee was in order.

We left the beach to chow-down on some grilled burgers and the rest of the fixin's that make it July 4th. (I must admit here that I really miss my Mom's potato salad most of all at parties like this...makes my mouth water to think about it!)

After a relaxing day in Anisquam, Ryan and I returned home to watch the fireworks which are shot off over the Charles River. What a beautiful sight. We didn't get home until midnight....the perfect Independence Day.