Do you go into hiding over the Fourth of July?

[skyl4rk]

With the massive traffic, crowds of people trying to get out and experience nature by burning gasoline, do you find a remote place and wait out the holiday weekend?

 

[highdesertranger]

I like the 4th in small towns. pancake breakfast, parade, and bbq. got to love it. highdesertranger

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

i try to find a quiet place alone somewhere.  My dog is terrified of fireworks. Takes 2 - 3 hours to settle him down after it is over.

 -- Spiff

 

[mockturtle]

Definitely!  I try to get out in the woods where there are no fireworks allowed and as far from any town as possible.  My dog just hates fireworks.  And they are never limited to the Fourth but seem to start a week before and last for a week after the holiday.

 

[SoulRaven]

The sound of fireworks is intensely painful for me and throws me into fight-or-flight mode that takes quite a while to wind down from. You bet I go into hiding!

...AND I keep earplugs and earmuffs handy.

...plus I always have a plan B in case someone else manages to "find" me with their fireworks.

Yeah. I enjoy the holiday, and before I got sick I would party with the rest of them. But the noise sensitivity completely kills it for me.

 

[ghost]

With the massive traffic, crowds of people trying to get out and experience nature by burning gasoline, do you find a remote place and wait out the holiday weekend?

This year I'm camping at my friends house with a keg, bbq, and camping, 5 acres, etc.  Each year is different, some better than others.  Get to your destination early and stay there (3 days).  Don't blow your hand off with a 1/4 stick either ; )


If you're in PA - -  PM me and I'll tell you where ... you're not alone.

 

[rvwandering]

We like fire works so if we're near a city we'll find a spot to watch the show. One year we were near Niagara Falls so we saw both the US 4th celebration and Canada Day fireworks.
We don't really plan and since we primary boondock and dry camp finding a spot for the weekend is usually not a problem. We do try to stay away from really popular places until the holiday is over though.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

I love America even despite all it's faults. Don't think anywhere else in the world compares. And for that I love being around a lot of people celebrating their country and getting along.

 

[TrainChaser]

I WISH I COULD!

I live four miles from a NA tribe that has 100 booths that sell fireworks that are illegal to sell anywhere else, or use anywhere else.  But the local bozos are ready with cash in their hot little hand as soon as the stands open, which is two weeks before the Fourth, and they sell for at least a week after the Fourth.  They set them off all day and sporadically through the nights. They set yards on fire and homes on fire.

 

[GotSmart]

The locals here in Missouri have been going for the last three days.  They only slow down for the rain.  After I got on to the neighbors last year for curfew, (10 PM noise) they are concentrating it at the other side of the neighborhood.  

I am just waiting for someones truck to burn with the kids 4 years old and up running around with matches, lighters, and flaming tubes.  

The stands are 40 X 100 foot tents. (BUY ! GET 4 FREE!) I think I will take pictures for those living in more civilized states. 

 

[TrainChaser]

"I think I will take pictures for those living in more civilized states."

Not WA. 'Civilized' is not a word that is often used here. Probably because they don't know what it means (it has three syllables).

 

[mayble]

My town is big on fireworks - it's a huge event that draws thousands of people for several days and I usually enjoy the show from my front porch.
Michigan's DNR and Veterans Affairs are working together to promote "Fireworks-Free Fourth" state parks, located away from major public displays and discouraging use of any fireworks (even firecrackers) by campers.  I think that's a wonderful idea and I'm sure those parks will be busy this weekend.

 

[wagoneer]

The Honorable Adrian Schafgans will be an official judge at the Dyer Nevada Rodeo on the 4rth of July pics to follow.

 

[eDJ_]

I'm going to get my ol' Tom Cat a pack of sliced Turkey breast and feed him as much as he'll eat around 5 pm the night of the 4th.   He seems to go sleep for about 8 hours after that.   So maybe he'll snooze the fireworks
and avoid having a nervous break down as I put him in the garage and turn the radio on...loud.  (to drown out the fireworks)

In past years I've tended to stay in on July 4 and avoid all the "Check Points" the LEO's have set up to "collect
revenues" from those who are naive enough to be out there after the July 4 picnics and cook outs where people may have had a "Beer" or two.  I was never ensnared in any of these "bust stops" but I've known those who were.   Thus I stock up and lay low on the 4th,  especially when it makes a four day weekend.

 

[rvpopeye]

I'm not sure if this just about the 4th fireworks of holiday traffic....?
For the traffic angle I avoid being on the road a few days before to a few days after.

 

[SternWake]

I am no people person at the best of times, but the fourth takes it to a new level.

Last Sunday I went to my regular surfspot and had to park many blocks away as it was so crowded. I recognized no persons and no vehicles on that walk to the beach, and nobody in the water was familiar either. The whole vibe was very very wrong, and when 5 obviously drunk late teen guys started catcalling very underage girls, very rudely, I really felt as if I had taken a hit of acid and entered bizarro world and was on the verge of having a bad acid trip, as this spot is usually just cruisy and funky and respectful.

The whole vibe was completely different with the influx of inlanders escaping the heat. I caught only three marginal waves, and jogged( I never jog) back to my Van and escaped as fast as I possibly could.

I expect the same vibe this holiday weekend, and will likely avoid as much humanity as I can.

Fireworks never did anything for me. I can appreciate beauty, but prefer natural beauty. The man made attempt at fabrication of beauty, misses its mark entirely.

 

[Wanderer]

With the massive traffic, crowds of people trying to get out and experience nature by burning gasoline, do you find a remote place and wait out the holiday weekend?

I sit at the 192nd Walmart. The area is ringed by apartments and dwellers who blow $$$$$$$$$$ to show off what they bought and gives me a FREE show...Love love LOVE IT.....

Now back in 2000-2006 I would sit with my tranquilized dogs and hold them while they shook from the sounds...Never did understand how they freaked out about fireworks, but not thunder and lighting....

 

[Gunny]

For many years fireworks would have a rather unsettling effect on me. I have found that now if I take a double dose of my Xanax, have the curtains open all the way and my handy-dandy Sig stuffed in the cushion next to me I am fine.

Fireworks remind me of sitting in some crappy fighting hole, hearing weapons being fired in the distance and watching the pretty tracers ricochet skyward. Watching someone else's war. Sort of like TV but only one channel. 

 

[TrainChaser]

"Sort of like TV but only one channel."

LOVE IT! Thanks!

 

[DannyB1954]

My dog doesn't like the noise. We hide. Not a big deal for me, I never did get real excited about them anyway
What is it we are celebrating anyway? Freedom from oppressive taxes and Government?