Listening to Fireworks on the 3rd of July

The Cunning Plan

NB – Although it seems like a lifetime and literally ½ a world away, I want to return to the Black Hills to continue that portion of our summer.

The Sugar Bean Sisters opened to a very successful run on June 25, and the focus shifted to mounting Suds (The Clean Musical). Since Annie had shopped the show hard in Los Angeles and as we trekked across the country in May and June, it was mainly a matter of finding a few odds and ends and final alterations to get the show finished for the July 9 opening. Because Casey was in good shape with the set, and Charles’ work as lighting did not kick into full swing until after the change over on July 5, the design team planned our next outings.

The first was to Rapid City to introduce the other members of the team to the wonderful wine bar in the down town area. Charles and I came in the early afternoon with a shopping list and were to meet the rest of the team for dinner at 5:00. Regretfully, due to our diligence to production duties, we missed out on the ½ price happy hour, but we did enjoy a great evening of some very good food and company. One of the highlights of the evening was introducing Charles to Annie’s inspiration for his opening night present for Sugar Bean Sisters which is best described as Michelangelo’s David with a strategically placed bottle of wine substituting for a fig leaf. Entitled “Pinot Envy,” the life size advertisement later proved to be an irresistible opportunity for Annie’s digital prowess. (Just ask Charles.)

Inspirational!

While the five of us were together in some peace and quiet, we began to finalize our plans to watch the fireworks at Mount Rushmore. Rated as one of the ten best fireworks shows in the nation, the display is actually held at the monument on July 3 for taping for the national broadcast on July 4. We knew that we would not have the whole day to spend at the site parking miles away and walking into the park, so we planned to watch the show from a site 3 miles away at an observation point at the top of Iron Mountain Road. Built by the CCC during the 1930’s the narrow road literally cuts through three rock formations with one-lane tunnels framing the famous four faces as you drive along the road. Our plan was to leave the playhouse before dinner, drive the short way to the observation point, and stake out our turf to enjoy a picnic and the festivities. We picked up a bucket of KFC on the way back home to the Playhouse.

NB: Writing about South Dakota from Lombok is hard!

We left around 5:45 to find a spot for the 9:30 show. As we wound our way up the road, clumps of cars were gathered at the wide spots in a road with views of the monument. When we reached the lookout point at the top of the road, the parking lot was full,so we continued down the road. The nearby picnic spot was even more jammed than the viewpoint at the top of the hill. After turning the car, I saw a pickup truck parked off the edge of the road, so I pulled over next to it. Once off the road, I realized that the ditch was a bit steeper and softer than it appeared from the road. To top it off, the pickup was a huge 4-wheel drive. Not a very good idea. It was soon apparent that the ditch was not to be backed out of, especially with front wheel drive. The matriarchs of the heard wisely chose to search the green pastures for four leaf clovers and hold their counsel to themselves while the testosterone laden members of the Chips put their collective wisdom to the test.

The Wise Buffalo Brothers

Luckily, there was a flat area in which to turn the car around and attack the ditch with some forward momentum. The challenge was not to pull a Dukes of Hazard roll when hitting the side of the ditch at an angle. Since I am willing to tell this story, obviously we made it out of the ditch to the thunderous applause from the campground and only a small touch of wounded buffalo pride.

We then proceeded back up the hill and found the perfect parking spot on a flat, firm stretch of wide shoulder. Armed with our blankets and KFC, we headed to the rocky observation point. Although the place was packed, we found a spot on the outcrop where we could see the monument and staked our claim. The weather was beautiful, the atmosphere festive, and all we had to do is wait 2 ½ hours for show to begin.

Our Musical Entertainment

Around 7:00 pm, a B1 bomber from the nearby Air Force base executed a flyby of the monument. It was impressive to see it sweep in low and then ascend steeply into the clouds.

Speaking of the clouds – as we moved closer to dusk, a beautiful mist began to roll in slowly filling the valleys surrounding the outcrop. It was very beautiful and evocative of a Chinese scroll painting of misty mountains.

The Chinese Scroll

Before long, we were socked in by the dense fog. With Rushmore about 2 miles away, our visibility was about 100 yards. Although the crowd was still growing and remained optimistic, by 8:00 pm the fog showed no sign of lifting. The show at Rushmore was would be cancelled with no re-do the next night if the weather interfered with the show. Although by 8:30 the crowds were starting to trickle out, we decided we would stick it out.

Sister Joan

A Glimmer of Hope

Even if we did not see the bombs bursting in air over America’s fab four, surely we would see the rocket’s red glare illuminating the misty sky. A little after 9:30 pm, we heard announcements and then the long anticipated first aerial explosions. They sounded impressive, but we saw nothing. Not a glimmer, not a glow, not a glint.

Reality Sets In

The herd was disappointed, but consoled when we returned to camp for a libation and a moonlight stroll to the Water Tower.