“And we walked off to look for America” – Simon and Garfunkel
Today I discovered that the best fireworks display in the country happens in Cortez, CO. Fireworks shows are pretty much all the same, except this one. We found a spot in the grass near the place where the fireworks were going to be launched and settled in, playing some cards while we waited. About 8:45 we heard a massive explosion just above where the mortars were set up and saw a thick black cloud of smoke. We assumed that one had been set off by mistake, but there didn’t seem to be any concern among the two guys nearby the launch site. Perhaps it was a test?
Ten minutes later a single firework was launched. Also weird, but maybe that’s how they do it here? Sporadically over the next 20 minutes other single fireworks were launched. I think it was a preshow to give everyone a little warning. Molly still seems to think they were errors. Whatever they were though they certainly built some excitement in the crowd.
Eventually the show proper began it for 20 or so solid minutes it was one of the best fireworks displays I’ve seen. They were everywhere, in all sizes, altitudes, and colors. Then they stopped. No finale. Huh, again, weird, but I guess maybe that’s just how they do it. Except no one moved. Then a wire strung over a portion of the field that was roped off started dropping a shower of sparks. A guy ran out and stood by them for a while, then ran off. Then the show resumed. Just as cool as it had been, but only for a few minutes and it stopped again. Then another spark shower. Then another resumption of the show.
A few minutes later the show built to what I think many people assume was the finale. It wasn’t, more show, then another finale, this repeated a couple more times. Whoever designed this show had clearly decided that they were going to play with the emotions of everyone in the audience. Who knew I could write four paragraphs about a fireworks show?
The rest of the day was also pretty great. After sleeping in we spent the morning at Aztec Ruins National Monument. Of course, the name is a complete misnomer and it was another Ancestral Puebloan site. There were some very unique aspects to it. I most enjoyed seeing a woven yucca curtain still hanging in its original location covering a door in the pueblo just as it was 1000 years ago. The masonry was very similar to that at Chaco Canyon, that is, it was very ornate. The builders even included green rocks in some parts of their work to build a design into the pueblo wall.
On our way to Cortez we discovered the Mancos Brewing Company and enjoyed their fine brews and foods. The girls got a chance to swim once we got to the hotel and I had some of the best mole I’ve ever had for dinner. Although I missed the traditions of home, today wasn’t a bad substitute. Happy 4th of July!
