American Pie

Posted by Nicole in Wanderlust on -

I may have been pouting a teeny, tiny bit on the days leading up to 4th of July weekend, but looking back at it--that was just flat out stupid. I tripped on my lower lip a few times because I was going to be out of town for work and jealous of all my friends that were spending their long weekend at the lake. That's what I wanted to do.

But. If you have to travel anywhere for Independence Day besides the lake, what better place than Washington D.C.? I will trade hours of Saturday shmoozing and sore feets for the Potomac River, 90 degree weather, and a Nationals baseball game any day. The accommodations were fit for royalty. I've not been in a nicer (U.S.) hotel than the Gaylord National...except maybe in Vegas, but those were all a little blurry so we can't be sure. The Gaylord is just outside D.C., boasting an 18-story atrium and sweeping views of the Potomac River.

Not that you'd ever need to leave the hotel, but we did. To claim our Diamond Club seats at Nationals Stadium. Great (padded) seats behind home plate, baseball pants, and unlimited footlongs, french fries, and summer ale on a hot July night. I'm not really sure that life gets any better than that. I mean, no one loves hot dogs more than this girl. A huge thanks to Sir Walter Bacon for your generosity.

The Nationals eked out the win, and we sprinted in giddy excitement to the 3rd base side for the post-game firework show. Music and explosions echoed through the stadium, and suddenly, forgotten, yet familiar words were spilling out of my mouth...I can't remember if I cried when I read about his widowed bride, but something touched me deep inside the day the music died. With more heart and more gusto than the 7th inning stretch, the entire crowd belted out American Pie as the fireworks dazzled and drizzled through the night sky. Singin' this'll be the day that I die.

After all my mumbling and grumbling, I still managed to get my lake time in at Murphy Bay on the 4th. The Murphy family is more beautiful than their slice of heaven on Pend Orielle, and I am grateful they include me in their celebration every year.