1967. Judy and I had been dating for four months. Her dad had a 1966 Mustang, V-8, four speed manual transmission. And he had loaned it to us to go to St. Louis to see the fireworks. I remember sitting on the river levee below the Arch, watching fireworks being launched from a barge in the middle of the Mississippi River. We oohed and aahed with every burst in the sky. For years we kept a tally of where we were on the Fourth of July. It has ranged from Stone Mountain, Georgia to Bayfield, Wisconsin to Colorado Springs. What I remember most was trying not to stall the Mustang on the ramp of the bridge going into St. Louis, so it wouldn't roll backward into the car behind us. Driving a "stick" is one of those skills you don't forget, but I hadn't practiced that much, especially on hills. Made for a memorable challenge.

And then I remember we bought Elke her first car, a "hot" Probe with a stick and she lurched and jerked all around the parking lot (just like we all did while learning) and then I kissed her good-bye as she drove off to Dallas. (hoping she wouldn't have trouble, and this is before the days of cellphones--imagine that!) Lots of memories with fireworks. Nowdays, we just use sparklers! Have a Happy (and safe) Fourth!

For the photographers in the audience: 6 second exposure at f/11, iso 200 with a tripod. This is NOT a layered or multiple exposure.

Post processing, I decreased exposure 1/2 stop and boosted clarity and saturation.