So it seems only proper that our fair city should pay some sort of homage to Miss Bates. I suppose it was this reason that the powers that be decided to change the name of one of our parks to "America the Beautiful Park" a few years ago.
I've never really liked that name. It's just so LONG. Migosh, eight syllables, such a mouthful! I would prefer something more like "Kathy Bates Park", but no one asked me.
Anyways, yesterday was the Fourth of July, and I hope my blog friends enjoyed theirs whether it was a holiday or just another Thursday. For us, it was the second quietest Independence Day I remember. I heard one firecracker.
All fireworks are banned, but in past years, most ignored that rule. But last year, after the fire, there was not a peep, and this year, we are again still feeling the affects of wild fire. Who lit that firecracker?!?!
My law abiding family and I decided to go for a bike ride. Our destination? America the Beautiful Park. Seemed a fitting ride for the holiday.
It was a lovely day, just a little hot, but the pedaling provided a bit of a breeze. I donned the helmet cam and then condensed our ~15-mile ride into a 3-minute video. I fought with the video editor while creating it, but finally won the battle. For that at least, I hope readers will come along for the ride.
There is one feature of America the Beautiful Park that makes it a popular place to be this time of year. It's in the video. Prizes to whomever finds it (it's very obvious - I just want to create suspense).
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14 comments:
Wow, that's an amazing park. We have some pretty good ones here, but I'm not sure we have anything that big, with such extensive bike paths.
I'm going to guess the attractive feature is the water park! Looks like fun!
Quite a mouthful indeed, but beautiful! Great way to spend the Fourth!
And I don't think I knew that about Katherine Lee Bates. If I did, I didn't know I did. :)
It's actually just a big fountain built to commemorate one of the "Founding Mothers". When it was unveiled a couple of years ago, park authorities were surprised that people were playing in its water. Really!?
Yeah, a bit of a pain:
"Want to go to America the Beautiful Park?"
"Okay, let's go to America the Beautiful Park."
"What should we take to America the Beautiful Park?"
"Well, it's about 8 miles to America the Beautiful Park..."
Make it stop!
I mean, she's worthy of a park, but sheesh.
Maybe you can call it the "Water Park," unless there are other "real" water parks nearby. Or ATB park? :)
And if you want to shorten her name, Kathy Bates works...oh, but too bad some famous actor already has that one.
I enjoyed the ride. I've GOT to find a bike trail half as nice as yours SOMEWHERE near my home!
Good suggestions. I've thought "Bates Park" might be too reminiscent of "Bates Motel".
I sometimes complain about the trials and tribulations of trying to get around here on a bicycle, but I do love this particular trail system.
I can't imagine who would light a firecracker in your area after what you have been through. We had a lot less this year, not sure why. So was the actress named after the songstress? Inquiring minds want to know...
What a great video. I even like the music! :D Looks like a beautiful park and great weather too.
Where there is water, people tend to just jump in. At some malls in CA water geysers were meant for decoration but people of all ages walk through them. You did a great job with the bike cam.
I know, right? It's a mystery they weren't beat up!
Kathy Bates - makes you wonder.
It was a perfect day for it. Yeah, I got the music from the freebie youtube library. Kind of Yanni-ish, I thought.
Thanks CiCi. I think indoor mall fountains are enticing. An outdoor one doesn't stand a chance against the dippers!
Wow - you're lucky you had a quiet 4th of July. Around here people set off fireworks for days before and after the holiday. It's actually very annoying.
We just had a quiet family BBQ at the house - which was lovely.
PS: The video is great. And I agree with you - they should have names it "Kathy Bates Park" instead!
Nice way to enjoy the 4th. Love the bike ride. Spotted the the water fountain early in your ride, but had to Google the park to see it in its full glory. I think you are right - should be called Kathy Bates park.
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