Day 32 - Egg Harbor July 3rd Celebrations
Captain and spent some time on shore this morning while I typed my log and he caught up with worldly things with good Wi-Fi at the Marina. We chatted with many folks, of course, as they came by as we seem to talk to everyone. Eventually we were done and the kids were awake aboard. We headed back to grab them and took a nice stroll to the Big Easy for some beignets. They always put so much powdered sugar on them that the tradition is to sprinkle some on Kona and make her a reverse Dalmatian.
The town of Egg Harbor was bursting alive by noon. The signs had already been there; blankets and chairs left on the hill overlooking the marina and parking areas roped off for those lucky enough to be VIP here and there. We had a few hours to fill before our guests came abord for the day so we took the time to tidy up Ciara and settled into the cockpit to watch boats come in and play DNR deputy to those causing wake amongst anchored boats. We read a little, I did some arts and crafts
Around 2pm our guests arrived and I headed out in our dinghy to retrieve them. Michelle, Jürgen, and their son, Aiden were here to enjoy a day on Ciara and fireworks before heading home. Michelle has been a dear friend to me since Bert was born and even though we have lived an ocean apart in that time and now across the state from each other we still try and see each other a few times a year. She is a friend of gold. Being after 2pm we were all a little hungry so Captain and I put on a very impressive charcuterie board adding the details from Michelle’s basket. The fresh bread and Kohlrabi were an amazing addition and now I know I like Kohlrabi! Michelle brought us a dozen of the most beautiful eggs from her chickens and I look forward to eating those asap. Fresh eggs are Ciara are a huge treat!
After our bellies were full, we somehow convinced everyone on board to go swimming. There is a perfect time of day, when the sun is a few hours past peak that is just perfect to jump in. It is still hot and the water’s crisp edge is very welcome. We swam for nearly an hour with our life jackets doing all the work. Kona swam amongst us, even playing a little keep away with her tennis ball. The kids played and hung out all day. Aiden climbed the mass most of the way up and spent time just enjoying the view and the pendulum swing. I’m thankful mom wouldn’t let him all the way up to the spreaders! I have watched these kids grow up and now they are all taller than me and I keep being pulled into the emotions of how fleeting our time with them is. Cory gave Michelle and I matching henna and I’m liking this new “thing” to do this summer with people along the way!
I find it interesting how time is on Ciara. I am almost always the first one up. The mornings are slow and relaxed unless they are big sail days. The afternoons, if hot, are based on survival and keeping cool. Sometimes a nap takes over. But from 5pm until bed it seems the day just slips away as fast as the setting sun. We all wanted to go to Pizza Bro’s for dinner. They have amazing gluten free options for Jürgen and, in my opinion, the best pizza on the peninsula. We had looked at the menu online and for a moment had considered calling in our order before we left Ciara to go walk and pick up. We should have done that. The signs of Egg Harbor coming to life this morning had been replaced by a hillside completely covered with blankets, chairs and people. A band played while another tent sold freshly made Kettle Korn and the beer tent line went around the block. We continued down the street and marveled at the energy in town. That energy was at Pizza Bro’s as well. Another band played ska and Michelle and I got in the 30-minute line to order pizza! Oh well. We all took a little walk while we waited for our order and by the time I got the first load of people back to Ciara the second load was on shore with pizza in hand waiting for their private passage back.
We enjoyed our pizza and it was already 9pm! Bert had asked to play with me tonight so after I played Last Post he joined me on the lower version. He played admirably and I gave him a hug afterwards and told him how proud I was of him. For sure that was a huge audience as the bay had filled in with boats of all flavors and the shore line and marina were packed to the gills.
At 9:45 the fireworks lit up Egg Harbor. The echoes blasted the escarpment in a never ended musical round. We laughed and sang songs and enjoyed our last few moments together as a group. The fireworks remind me of many years of being a proud American. Sitting on lawns watching with my brothers and parents. The patriotic music filled my soul. I always knew that while that pride was there, our country always had a lot of work to do. Not all of our history is something to be proud of and it was our responsibility to make this a home for everyone. I had always hoped we would continue to move forward, to set an example of humanity, true freedom and speech. This year I have had a lot of trouble reconciling my patriotism. Under all the joy in my life is the never-ending fear I know many of us are feeling right now. My prayer for our country is that the pendulum of extremes can settle into calm waters sooner rather then later. Just as a person standing atop the mast can feel the slightest breeze more so than those on deck, the same person would have a very dangerous time holding on should waves really start to rock the boat. The safety is down where the swing is less. We, as people, will never fully agree. We all have different perspectives, different circumstances, but it is our job as humans to meet in the middle with compassion and humanity and weather this storm of life together. I hope this holiday find you all well and I urge you all to take the time to love your neighbor, truly and maybe we can join hands in true unity one day.
