The Fourth in Independence

The boys had been hang gliding that day. This was years ago but it seems like only yesterday. I was their chase driver and I liked it. I liked being behind the wheel of the SUV alone with my thoughts and looking out at the landscape as it went by. There was that feeling of freedom somewhat anchored by a purpose. This is my ideal life. I like freedom coupled with a sense of purpose. When purpose becomes uncoupled, I’m like a boat on the water with nothing but freedom, no anchor and drifting.

Everyone had a good day. The boys had flown far and landed unscathed. I had been able to pick up the two I was assigned to without difficulty or getting lost. We were back at the camp site that was called Tuttle Creek which I said was famous for all the tuttles. You know, box tuttles, painted tuttles, desert tuttles. Tuttle Creek was right there adjacent to the famous Alabama Hills. In the old westerns the Alabama Hills were the on-location scene with Whitney Portal as the backdrop and I can see why. They were a very interesting rock formation.

It was the fourth of July and we wanted to see some fireworks. So, after dinner we piled in the SUV to see if Independence was doing anything. They were. We joined the citizens of Independence on the shoulder of Highway 395 and waited. Highway 395 follows the eastern flank of the Sierra Nevada and you can get a good look at Whitney Portal as you drive 395 through Lone Pine. Independence is a little farther south on 395 and usually has a fair amount of traffic but tonight there was none or very little and we waited in the gathering dusk for the show to begin.

And soon it did. A flat bed wagon pulled in and was set up with chairs for the dignitaries of Independence and the master of ceremonies. The flat bed was off to one side of a large empty sagebrush field north of town. Some one over there was in charge of the fireworks but we couldn’t see who. Eventually we heard the PA system crackle to life. It was dark now, around 9 pm.

“Welcome to the 30^th annual Independence California Fourth of July Celebration!”, he said. “Let’s begin by singing our National Anthem.” We all rose to our feet as the PA played a rousing band version and we sang. When we finished singing…

The announcer announced: “For our first display we have something from Ace Hardware on Main street.”

A minute goes by…

Ka-boom!

We all ooo-ed and ahh-ed.

Each fireworks was announced in succession. Apparently, the city had no budget of their own. Every fireworks was paid for by a local business.

“This display comes to you from the law offices of Harvey Smith.”

A minute goes by…

Ka-boom!

“Our next display is courtesy of Eastern Sierra Ice Cream Company.”

A minute goes by…

Ka-boom!

But now we have a sage brush fire that is started by embers falling into the field! Ah-rooooooooo! Here comes the Independence Fire and Water truck roaring down the highway. It two wheels it into the field, slams on the brakes, the driver jumps out, grabs the hose and begins to pour water on the fire.

We get a bird’s eye view of this from our SUV, and it is all quite entertaining.

Fire out. We go back to the MC.

“Our next display comes to you courtesy of Inyo County Water Department.”

A minute goes by…

Kaboom!

We only had 3 more fires (what a successful night!) and three more fire truck sorties to the rescue. Such is life in a small town on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada.