4th of July: A truly American day

For Vicky and I the 4th of July started off with a lie-in.  I'm still trying to get used to getting into work early; most employees are there for 7-7.30am.  And also we had been having a few late nights doing with the gradual moving in process.  The lie-in was blissful.  Once up and about we started upon our celebrations of this national holiday in the only way we could think appropriate: by dressing in red, white and blue!  The first stop on our itinerary was the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens.  They were holding a reading of the declaration of independance in the afternoon which included birthday cake. That definitely grabbed our attention! 

Beautiful old house

The location was beautiful, with a lovely  large house with a collection of furntiure and art from different periods of american history nessles in some wonderfully calming gardens. 

I wonder if any of them had been to Band Camp?

As we arrived we noticed some gentlemen sweating happily as they played a marching song on their whistles and drums. Impressed by the sheer level of dedication to re-enacting we wondered what else this place had in store for us. Well after passing a lady dressed as the state of liberty and a giant copy of the declaration of independance (we signed it!) I thought that would be it. But no I was wrong, around the next corner was more people dressed in period clothing and depicting different players in the war of independance. From the photo you can see that the red coat (English solider who wasn't doing the accent sadly) probably had one of he hottest outfits, why a furry bag is necessary I'm not sure but it made me kinda want one!

Heavy duty uniforms are very practical in nearly 40C heat

At 3pm another man in custome read the declaration of independance and also explained what it was. I may sound pretty native but up until that point I didn't really know that it started the war of Independance not ended it.  Poor men had to keep fight for years in those sweaty uniforms before they got their independance!  After the reading, which was surprisingly long, cake was served.

Vicky and I then headed off to Party City to find some more red white and blue things to wear for our evenings entertainment Freedom over Texas, a large concert and fireworks display.

Mmmmm America, fun how your flag has the same colours on it as the United Kingdom's flag.

After some confusion on whether or not we could take in our cooler full of beer (we couldn't) we took our seats to listen to the end of the concert (Sheryl Crow) and watch the fireworks while dressed head to toe in red white and blue and drinking a bud light. Felt pretty American right then and there!