Memorial Day

Those who follow my journal, may have surmised from my absence for a week, that we’ve been away again, but on this occasion they would be wrong! We’ve been around, and I’ve still taken at least one photo a day, yet at the same time feeling a bit low, and lacking motivation to make a post. However, I thought today I would make an effort to blip, and hopefully over the next few days get caught up on back blips. Today was a national holiday, Memorial Day, which falls on the last Monday in May, when the U.S. remembers and honours all military personnel who died in the service of the country. Beyond that, it is a day for parades, barbecues and the unofficial start of summer, with public outdoor pools usually opening this weekend.
It turned into a beautiful day, after a cool start. We didn’t get a very early start, so it was mid to late morning, when we got out for a hike at Caesar Creek Lake State Park - see extra collage. We did a hike along a little peninsula, out to a point with a nice view of the lake. There were quite a few boats out on the lake, one pulling a water skier, and we saw three separate gliders, being towed up by a plane and then released. It would make a lovely spot to take a picnic, and sit and read a book for a while. It has obviously been used as a camping spot before as there was a fire ring made of stones, and charred firewood in it.
On our way home, we stopped in the adjacent neighbourhood of Blue Ash, to check out the newly re-opened Towne Square, with it’s new stage area and event lawn, and in particular it’s new Veterans memorial area. It had been totally razed and redesigned. I agree they’ve done a nice job of the Veterans area, placing them in a line along one side of the park, and adding a few extra figures representing the Gulf War, and the War on Terror. And on this weekend, they had flags from all the states lining two sides of the park. The new park also features a small dog park, and a children’s play area, but as far as the stage area, and viewing area, I’m not convinced it's going to be any better. Previously there was a raised area at the back of the seating area, so at least if you were further back, you were a bit higher. However, we just have a short time to wait and see, as the Friday night summer concerts start in June!
We then returned home and had a cook out, before going to an outdoor concert by the Blue Ash and Montgomery Symphony orchestra in another Blue Ash Park and amphitheater, the Tom Stone amphitheater, at the back of their recreation center. It’s an orchestra of professional local musicians, and they usually do three concerts during the year, Memorial Day and July 4th outside, and a Christmas concert. The music was largely patriotic, with the title Under the Sea, but included other water related pieces, such as Fingals Cave, music from the movie Titanic and Pirates of the Caribbean. The temperature became a bit cool as the evening went on, but at least the rain held off! So, a good Memorial Day, making the most of the nice weather, whilst at the same time remembering and honoring the meaning of the day.