Some Amazing 4th of July Memories - Its More Than the Fireworks Display

Woodland Park, Colorado (July 4, 2005, Jan 1, 2006),
I have lived in Colorado Springs since the end of 2004. I am still awed and surprised when it there are fireworks, no matter what time of the year. I say no matter what time of year because in this area they have fireworks around midnight on New Years Eve also. That is also an awesome sight to behold.

I remember the first time I saw fireworks from a nearby city, Woodland Park. Although it was new years eve and midnight, it is also really good on the 4^th of July. They have several firework shows around Colorado Springs and additionally they have one on the top of Pikes Peak which is 14,115 ft and thus the fireworks can be seen for many, many miles around.

The view of fireworks from Woodland Park, Colorado especially if you are on the hill behind the local library in the parking lot (or luckily one of the 2^nd story rooms) of the motel there. It is the most fantastic view of fireworks I have ever seen. One reason is because it is so fascinating to see what looks like the top of the mountain on fire. In addition, if you are in the motel parking lot as I mentioned above, not only can you see the fireworks on the top of Pikes Peak, but you can look down in the valley off to the Southeast and watch the fireworks in Manitou Springs as well, so you can actually watch two fireworks shows at the same time and it is truly spectacular.

Tulsa, OK (1979, 1986, late 90's)
The 4^th of July in Tulsa oklahoma is also a great time. It is a day to remember, because there on the banks of the Arkansas River, you can picnic all day long with literally hundreds of people showing up by evening time for the great fireworks show. There the whole day feels special. Sitting on the bank of the river, near the pedestrian bridge at 9:30 at night when the fireworks begin. As the fireworks boom and bang the ooohs and ahhhs of the crowd stir me every time.