3rd of July Fireworks on the Boat...

Last night we watched the annual fireworks show put on by the City of Chicago along the lakefront from the Kopke's boat. It was amazing and a truly front row view, as the fireworks barge was just northeast of us in the harbor. In previous years, I have watched the same fireworks display among the common folk (ha - totally kidding) on the grass (gasp!), trying helplessly to avoid bug bites, crazy ladies with glo-roses/necklaces/other weaponry, and watching people go to the bathroom out in the open just a few yards to the left of me...after last night's show, well, let's just say, it reminded me of the time we flew to Ireland in first class -- you never want to go back to coach! :)

Below are some pics from the evening and at the bottom of the post, a couple of videos showing parts of the KICKASS fireworks display...now I am fully in support of that new 10.25% tax rate, as long as it's going towards a bigger and badder fireworks display for next year! Otherwise, it's drugstore.com and amazon.com for us!
Helmut and Sam...yes, we are all wearing North Face jackets in July....it was chilly!
This picture was going to be put on the milk carton if Sam didn't come back to us alive...Thankfully, both kidneys are intact and we didn't have to report a missing person.
Me and my hunny...post-fireworks euphoric glow on our faces! :)
Me and Tanya....my nose is so red from the cold and/or the booze....not sure which is the bigger culprit, but it's really annoying me.
Before the sun went down......

Some of the city skyline view from the sailboat....

And the videos....the "finale" is on the top, but both are really awesome...no, I don't have a shaky video hand, it's the boat rocking....you might need some motion sickness pills before viewing. I missed it on the video, but after the fireworks are done, all the boats just start honking the horns like crazy...very fun!

THANK YOU, HELMUT and TANYA!!!!