A LONG LAZY AFERNOON and another SURPRISE
When we complete the parade circuit, Jim and Tommy are right where we left them and eager to move on, (they’ve seen enough of the parade and are ready for something to eat!). We head for the traditional class reunion picnic. This year it is being hosted at a classmates’ lovely home in Melon Valley. More challenges of finding our way around with parade traffic and drawing on memory of how to get through town and then to Melon Valley. Thank goodness we are tailing Jim and Linda who lead us to the picnic with only one ‘U’ turn! The weather is still on the hot side—but cool grass, shade trees and the canopies that Arnie and his wife, Trish, have set up make a comfortable setting for the afternoon which stretches out long and lazy as we reconnect and reminisce with old friends.
The afternoon is late and we are just about talked out. Many local classmates are leaving to attend to chores (this is farm country!) Some still have family gatherings to get to, including us. We have arranged to stop for a visit with a relative of Julia’s.
We find Annie Lou is looking great and quite spry at 85. She celebrated her birthday last March with husband Jack and all four of her children gathered from various parts of the country for the big event. We enjoy the lingering evening light and fragrant smell of freshly irrigated fields of corn and alfalfa while catching up on family news.
With the sun easing into its slow setting on the horizon (it seems to take a long time this far north compared to our brief but brilliant sunsets in Havasu), We are feeling satisfied and mellow after an exciting day and choose to drive back to the hotel rather than watch fireworks in Buhl. With these lingering twilights, the fireworks won’t start for some time. Besides, we are spoiled by the fireworks with hours of grand finales we get to see in Havasu when the Pyrotechnic Trade Show is in town.
As we approach Twin Falls on Pole Line road, we notice cars on the side roads, and gathering in parking lots and realize the Twin Falls fireworks must be on this side of town. Closer to the hotel, there are crowds of people walking and the hotel parking lot is filling up. We manage to find a spot to park in. With this good of view, we might as well enjoy the warm evening and see what we can of the fireworks from the hotel parking lot. We set up the chairs and bring out some snacks for a little ‘tailgait’ supper while waiting for the big show. Another surprise! We are dazzled by a patriotic display of brilliant fireworks with a spectacular grand finale that surpasses anything we have ever seen! And to top it all off – we just have to pack up our chairs and head inside to bed!