I thought I'd talk just a bit about how people celebrate the 4th in western South Dakota.
Because out here, where the sky meets the land some fifty or a hundred miles off in the distance, we don't take freedom for granted.
This is where cowboys roam...
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| photo credit: Marty Bauman |
...and work to keep the family ranches growing and intact for the next generation.
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| photo credit: Marty Bauman |
This is where neighbors are neighbors, even if you've never met them before.
Where people work hard and and play harder... and pray the hardest of all.
And when Independence Day arrives, we celebrate!!!
The most awesome 4th of July celebration in our area is...
Wait a minute. I'm not sure I can say which one it is. It's a close tie between the festivities at Mt. Rushmore, where there are no fireworks, but a great light show -
- and the Black Hills Roundup, Rodeo and Parade just a few miles north of us in Belle Fourche (pronounced "bell foosh"). That's real cowboy country up there!
To see what all of the excitement is about, go here!
However you celebrate, I hope you're having the best Fourth of July ever!
Happy 4th, everyone!
ReplyDeleteWe're on the road today, driving across the miles and miles of miles and miles of South Dakota, so I'll check in late this afternoon.
Enjoy your festivities! :)
Happy 4th of July, Jan. You live in fantasy land in my eyes. Stuff I've only read in books. Our country's birthday celebrations have come and gone but I'm sure there will be fireworks tonight somewhere in honour of our neighbours to the south. Enjoy your day.
ReplyDeleteHi Kav! I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. Don't you love my cowboy friend? He can't believe that there are people who think his way of life is worth reading about. :) silly boy!
DeleteThanks for sharing such awesome photos, Jan! I love living in Texas, but your area of the country looks incredible. Like KAV said, "stuff I've only read in books." Happy 4th of July and prayers for safe travels!
ReplyDeleteHi Laura!
DeleteOur part of the country is fabulous, but I love Texas, too. We lived in Abilene for a few years, and I came to appreciate everything except the scorpions and the heat! I'll stick to my hills.:)
I have missed being at the Cafe the last few days with family stuff, and me HURRYING and forgetting to check in!!!
ReplyDeleteJan, I love these glimpses of Western life, of lore, of how things are just a little bit different... And how amazing it is that our country can celebrate such freedoms in a world wrought with rift.... God has truly blessed us. Freedom is an amazing thing....Some day I'm heading west to see Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone and cool Western stuff and you!!!
When you come visit, I'll treat you to a sundae at Armadillos. :)
DeleteHAPPY 4TH!! Thanks for the photos. Are you related to the photographer, Marty Bauman? My son is about to marry into a family with some Baumans. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not related to her - she's a good friend. You'll need to ask your soon-to-be daughter-in-law if she's related to any South Dakota Baumans. :)
DeleteHappy 4th, Jan and all cafe visitors. No cowboys here except for a certain unmentionable on in Times Square, but I don't think he counts for this. ;)
ReplyDeleteFor us 4th of July varied depending on whether we were home near the beach (on the Atlantic) or at the lake house in the mountains. The mountain town is the one I remember most from childhood 4th of July celebrations. They had a lovely small town parade followed by a lawn social on the library lawn. Such sweet memories.
These days I often have a view of the Macy's fireworks from my back window.
My preference though is fireworks over the beach. That's the ocean memory.
Beach or mountains! What a choice!
DeleteAnd no, if the Times Square cowboy is the one I'm thinking of, we don't need to mention him! ;)