LIC Boom Boom

Fireworks 3, originally uploaded by thenugespeaks.

Do you remember how you spent your last fourth of July? Last year, Amy, me and my good friend Jeff watched the fireworks over the East River on the Manhattan side of New York.

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This year, I wanted to do something a little different, so Amy, my friend Nora, and I ventured into Long Island City, a wonderful up and coming area just directly across from the river in Queens and just a short 10 minute train ride from Astoria.

We had a great dinner at a nearby Irish Pub (Fish and Chips, ahoy!) and then walked a couple of blocks to the river. There were a lot of people already camped out, but no where near the number of people across the river last year.

I was so excited to see the fireworks from this vantage point that I found myself doing a cartwheel down the sidewalk as we walked to the piers. Then it started to rain. Damn. That cartwheel I did must have summoned the rain gods or something. So up went our umbrellas, and we stood there waiting, and dodging other umbrellas threatening to poke our eyes out. (Umbrellas indeed are one of the most dangerous things man has invented).

As flashbacks of Hal Daub canceling Halloween on a cold October night in Nebraska, I got the same sickening feeling that our independence celebration would be all washed up. Pun intended.

Than the rain turned into a light drizzle and the cannons fired. The crowd roared with cheers and Long Island City lit up with red, white and blue.

God bless America...and the Chinese for inventing fireworks. View Photos

Red, White and Blue In Astoria Park

Friday, June 29th

Me, Amy and Nora ventured down to Astoria Park to listen to the Tommy Dorsey band.

My typical running path takes me down to the Park, where it's vibrant with locals gazing out onto the river and the scenic view of Manhattan. When we got there, what really surprised me were the number of people there.

We made it in time to listen to only a few songs, but the band went out with a bang, literally, as the first of many fireworks lit up the eastern sky.

The display was really impressive, rivaling what I expected every 4th of July in Nebraska, and it wasn't even the fourth yet!

Here's a link to Nora's eyewitness account and some more photos

Touring Queens West

The Pepsi Cola sign, originally uploaded by thenugespeaks.

Saturday, Amy and I decided to hoof it along the East river to explore Long Island City. I had always wanted to explore the different parks along the river, but especially the Vernon Ave/Jackson Blvd stop where a slew of luxury high rises have been built along Gantry Park.

This is primo real estate and the views of Manhattan will knock you out. The first thing I realized was how peaceful and quiet the area is. There were people sunbathing on the green grassy nolls, walking dogs, and strolling.

Right across the river I could see where I watched fireworks last year. I'm thinking this year, this may be the spot to be. The high rises are towers of glass and metal and one can only imagine what kind of views the tenants have right outside their windows.

Click here for more Long Island City Photos

To read a much better written description of our day, click on my girlfriend Amy's post.