Mukilteo Musings

Happy Fourth of July

Just like we have a secret place to watch the Christmas ships, we also have a secret place to watch fireworks in Seattle. Or at least it used to be secret.

Unfortunately, Dave couldn't find the right key to the locked third floor of the building where he works. Dave's office is on the second floor but this entire UW building is Dave's department. Fortunately, a student was up there and he let us in. It was really funny because once he realized who Dave was, you could tell he thought he'd been busted. He said he was having a party and was it OK?? I felt like we'd crashed their party because this student had all of his friends and family--they had food.

His Chinese friends and family did not seem to speak much English, if any. Dave heard him whispering something about "He's the Dean!" and before long Dave was being introduced to the student's mother and wife. We were so grateful someone was up there to let us in after the key fiasco; they were grateful Dave didn't mind they were having a party on the roof. But the huge roof was big enough for all of us so it worked out perfectly.

I have said before on this blog that the most beautiful view of Seattle is right where I-5 passes the UW heading South. This particular building is near the freeway and the balcony and roof look out over Lake Union toward downtown. We could see all of the skyscrapers lit up, the Space Needle, and the glistening water covered by hundreds of boats. In the distance we could see the fireworks over Mercer island and Bellevue. Immediately in front of us we were blasted by the Seattle Fireworks over Lake Union. Behind the Space Needle we could see the second Seattle Fireworks display from the Seattle waterfront. (We also watched cars line up and stop on the freeway overpass. As usual, it wasn't long before we saw flashing blue lights.)

After the Grand Finale, everyone on our roof broke into screams and applause. We were not alone because we could hear screams and applause from rooftops and balconies all through the University District. Sharing the roof with a large group of young people from China on this our nation's birthday was just....COOL!!!!