I realized tonight that 4th of July is one of my favorite days of the whole year. I was already pretty sure of it all of the other years, but tonight sealed the deal. Not getting to celebrate it with gobs of people, cheery festivity, happy crowds off work and on vacation, and a feeling of being on holiday without having to go anywhere was something I sorely missed.
There’s just a vibe in the air on 4th of July that’s unlike any other day – one of, well, freedom, and lightheartedness, and joy.
We usually walk around downtown for a good part of the day, covering the beach and all of the sidewalks, soaking in the energy around us. After coming back home to hang out for awhile and eat dinner, we walk into town again, weaving between all of the bodies moving toward the Eastsound Beach Green and the beach itself.
I just love it. The darkness starts setting in, the band begins to play patriotic songs, and people flock to their friends and families laid out on blankets one after another. The Episcopal Church scoops up free ice cream sundaes for anyone and everyone, and the town settles into the stunning surrounding beauty for a light show fired from a barge in the ocean just past Indian Island.
Not so this year.
Tonight’s walk to the Co-op for some Fruitstix bars, then four-and-a-half episodes of TV shows on the couch and some 10 PM cupcakes just felt a little too anticlimactic for me. After everyone went to bed, I looked at the moon rising in the sky and decided I needed to be out there, bidding 4th of July a proper goodbye this year before bedding down.
I walked into town under the moonlight and the arrestingly bright night sky. Eleven o’clock has never looked so beautiful – and eerie, considering what the circumstances should have been if not for COVID.
The air was still. Not a breath of wind disturbed the water. No cloud obscured the sky. It was clear and deafeningly silent.
No people filled the Green…
No crowds brushed past each other…
No cars filled the streets…
No ice cream was served…
All overlooks were vacant…
Chairs sat empty…
And there was no barge to be seen…
It was as much of a ghost town as it was almost exactly six months ago when I documented Eastsound on two freezing, snowy nights when I walked alone through the howling wind and pelting snow. Though the elements tonight were the exact opposite – warm, calm, and silent – the feeling was just as empty and eerie.
After capturing the scene from every angle, I turned around and headed back home, accompanied by the distant booms from cities afar, and the alarming night screech of a barn owl.
I used my son’s iPhone with its amazing night mode function, as I did for the snowy-night posts. The photos were all taken from 11 PM on, and the brightness in the sky is the moon.
Happy 4th Edee!
The photos may be devoid of humanity, but the natural beauty you have captured is simply stunning. The quiet, calm simplicity of perhaps many years gone by are what I’m filled with. No, it’s not what we’d consider the norm, but it has it’s own special magic and you captured it perfectly.
Thank you for the photos and the memories of a very unique time in our history. I think it’s lovey just the way it is. π
Thank you so much! It was magical but very lonely standing there.
Absolutely beautiful photos. I took the time to look at the snowy photos too. Really cool juxtaposition looking at them both. I really loved the pic of the Episcopal church in the snow.
It was an odd 4tj of July for us in Bellingham. My 4 year old was pretty bummed we didn’t see any fireworks (banned in Bham city limits).
Hopefully if we all do our part then next 4th of July will be back but to normal.
Oh, I hope so too, Kurt, though I think this thing is going to go on for quite some time! Uggh. Thank you for your kind words!!
Edee what a stunning photo. I really appreciate this blog. Iβm not alone in the sentiment. Your always there with me. I love you my sister friend ππππ
Thank you so much, Daphne!!
Oh how I Love the feel on Orcas Island in July!. I lived on Orcas for 21 years.. NOTHING QUITE LIKE IT!ππ You have Certainly Captured Some amazing shots! I am Very Thankful for the Reminder of the Islands Stunning Beauty and Miss the Simplicity of life I had there.. Thank You for Sharing β€
Oh, I wonder if someday I too will look back at my memories of Orcas Island from somewhere else. Thank you for your kind words, Darlene!
Absolutely beautiful pics. Thank you!
Thanks so much, Denise!
Edee, you should have come to West Beach! The sunset was beautiful, followed by booming fireworks and a few people social distancing at the end of the county road. We could see Friday Harbor’s fireworks in the distance reflecting off the water. Having grown up on the west side I had always heard the fireworks at West Beach, but we usually went to the display in town because they started earlier. So we took a chance and found that end of the night celebration that captures Independence Day.
Oh, so great to know! Thanks, Jenny!