I wanted to be here near DC for the 4th of July, but this year my daughter’s father has her for that particular holiday. So, I made plans to fly back to Florida on the 2nd. Two days afte3r I made the flight reservations, my ex offered to let me stay out of town through the holiday, but by then it was too late since United charges $75 per ticket for a change. Too bad I did not fly on Southwest. If they have not yet changes their policy, they used to let you do a change for no cost.

Lucky for us, a lot of places around here are doing the 4th of July festivities this weekend, so we won’t be missing much. I had no intension of going down the Mall for the fireworks anyway. Have you ever fought those crowds? I have, but not with a child in tow – and I am not willing to give it a try just yet. When I was a kid, my parents used to go into the District with us every year, but we finally got smart and started going over to Crystal City to the top floor of his office building, where we sat out on the plant ledges. It sure beat fighting the crowds.

Tonight we are going to a little park off of Job Corp road near Shepherdstown, WV for fireworks – unless I find something better. We are going soon for a street fair they are having in Shepherdstown during the day. Shepherdstown is the oldest incorporated town in the West Virginia and it’s one of the most charming hamlet’s you’ll ever see. A lot has changed since I went to school there, but many of the shops have changed. The Yellow Brick Bank is still there, as are the Bavarian Inn, Betty’s restaurant, the bakery and a few others.

So, I’m off to show my daughter my old college town – even though I know she is not old enough to care. Maybe they will have The Little House open. She will love that.