The date switch put a snag in our plans to watch the fireworks with friends. Instead, JO and I had dinner at Atwoods Tavern (note to self- do not go here on hot days, the ac is not good!) before heading down to the Charles River, at Kendall Square, to watch the fireworks.
As we made our way to a good viewing spot we took note of the gloomy sky off to the right, and the wind that was picking up. We checked the radar on our phones (because we are those people) and it appeared that a big storm was headed our way at about just the time the fireworks would be starting. We started to wonder if the producers would make any changes to the program as we settled in for the pre-fireworks concert and we were a bit annoyed when the announcers mentioned the perfect weather, since anyone looking at the radar knew there was a situation brewing. That aside, we had a lovely Boston skyline view, and we both agreed we needed to go for walks along this stretch of the river more often.
Sure enough, just as it became "1812 Overture" time, a rather big tradition here in Boston during the fireworks, the announcers told the crowds that the decision had been made to skip the overture and begin the fireworks. There were lots of groans from the crowd but they were drowned out by the booms of the fireworks. As usual, the fireworks were beautiful.
Once the fireworks ended we hightailed it home. The wind was blowing, the temps were dropping, and it was clear a storm was about to explode. One of the things I love most about the fireworks is the fact that we can walk home. No need to worry about parking, traffic, or getting on the T with thousands of other people. As we headed home we saw lots of flashing lights in the distance. The flashes were so bright we figured they were fireworks. As we turned onto Hampshire Street we realized those flashes were actually rather vivid bursts of lightning. I for one, am not ok with being out in lightning storms, as evidenced by my reaction a few years ago when there was a storm during the fireworks. JO was trying to convince me to keep going, that we would be home soon, and it would be fine. Just as I was getting ready to put my foot down, Mother Nature intervened.
I have never, ever seen it go from no rain to horrific downpour so fast as it did this time. I went into full emergency mode. Since we were mere steps to West Bridge I made the executive decision to run inside. About twenty other people decided to do the same thing. The poor hostess seemed a bit overwhelmed. By now the rain was just coming down in sheets and the lightning was looking pretty horrific. I figured we could grab a drink and wait out the storm, but much to my dismay, we were informed they had already called last call. We could have made a run for it across the way to Tommy Doyle's, all of twenty feet, but seriously that was not an option in this storm.
After a few minutes, the bartenders decided to open back up. We grabbed two seats at the bar, had a drink, and laughed about the adventure.
I had been feeling a bit annoyed over the past few days because we had had to cancel some city plans. A spontaneous, city adventure that I will look back on for many years, was just what I needed to shake that annoyance!
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