High Falls -- July 4, 2005 - Pontoon Parade
High Falls, Georgia, is a special place for my family. We have a cabin on a lake there and have been going there for over 30 years. We are a new generation now, but voices of the past still haunt us when there. The uncle who carried us there for the first time, the rains that often drenched us while riding a boat, the sounds of a father and mother whispering in the dark late at night.
During recent days the high point is the annual fourth of July pontoon parade. This year 28 pontoons took part in the parade. Part farce, part patriotism, mostly a time of fun, we decorate our boats with flags and plenty of red white and blue. As we pass houses along the way, people wave and dogs bark and ducks rush to their hiding places. It is a fun time.
Six of us participated this time, three for the first time. So the official picture is now online. In order, left to right, are those with us on the journey. Vivian Glover, Janet Phillips, Alex Steinhauer, Mike McReynolds (my new son-in-law), Melinda McReynolds, and Captain Dan. Can you think of anything more exciting than a pontoon parade?
posted by Dan Phillips @ 9:03 AM
1 comments
1 Comments:
My High Falls, Ga. roots are young and shallow compared to Dan's. Indeed property ownership of any kind is but a recent phenomenon in my family; In any case, High Falls, where, except on the Fourth of July, the Confederate Battle Flag is the most conspicuous expression of pride, would not be the most likely venue for an African American family to put down stakes. But three years ago, I did so anyway.
Therefore, I am now Dan's next door neighbor. We are both part-time residents there and, as such, did not meet until this weekend...the day before the pontoon boat parade photograph he posted. I had never witnessed the pontoon boat parade, tho it enjoys a wide reputation.
Alas, the burdens of hospitality to other friends and family prevented my accepting Dan's kind invitation to join his family on their pontoon boat in this year's parade.
But I can't imagine that participating in the parade could have been as pleasurable as witnessing Dan's joy at finally getting the reluctant motor on his pontoon boat started, within minutes of the start of the parade. He had spent two frustrating days failing to get the machine to do its job. At my house we had begun to wonder how we could console Dan over the disobedient motor. So, when Dan gleefully, at the last minute, yelled for all aboard, it was cause for celebration. He generously made it clear that call to board included those in my household as well.
I was grateful for the generosity of Dan Phillips...happy to finally meet my neighbors...and relieved that they were such warm and welcoming people. It was a good holiday.
Frieda
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