Ghost of 4th of July's Past: 2009

With the memory of 2008 still ingrained in my mind, I decided to stay away from the backroads in 2009.  In Clarksville, because it borders Fort Campbell and it would be silly to compete for celebrations, the 4th of July is celebrated on two separate days.  Clarksville sets off its fireworks over the Cumberland on the 3rd of July, and reserves the actual 4th of July celebration for fireworks on Fort Campbell.

My friend, Michelle, and I decided we were going to take in all of the 4th of July celebrations in 2009.  So, on the 3rd, we took her 2 year old son down to Riverside and watched the fireworks over the Cumberland from a front row seat.  I think we enjoyed it more than Seth did, judging by the screams of terror, but I think it's safe to say he'll have a cautious respect for fireworks for the rest of his life.  We had big plans the next evening to watch the fireworks at Fort Campbell, since my apartment was right across from Gate 1, but a thunderstorm and continual tornado warnings kind of put a damper on the celebration.  We stopped by Kroger on 41A to pick up some beer (our supplies were running low) and made the mad dash back to my apartment while tornado sirens were wailing loudly and the road was completely obscured with torrential rain.

We decided it was probably wise to not leave my apartment that night.

So, we sat on my balcony all evening, enjoying the weather with our cases of beer, and talked.  And watched my drunk neighbors play "catch the lit firework" in the parking lot below.  I think we actually had bets going on who would be rushed to the ER first...and sadly, no one was injured at all.  The next morning, Michelle had to get back to her parents' house to pick up her son early, and when I stumbled out of bed to make my oatmeal I was faced with this sight.

And I can honestly tell you, I have no idea who drank all that beer because I was not hungover in the least.  But I also had NO idea how to open my microwave.