One of my favorite holiday traditions is watching the Rose Parade. The Parade officially starts when the Stealth Bomber blasts along the parade route. That is a catch-your breath moment.
It always amazed me that no matter what the weather was doing leading up to the Parade, on that day, the skies are blue, the weather is pleasant, and I suspect a lot of Midwest and East Coast locals are wondering why they don’t move to California now.
I have been to the Parade 1-1/2 times. One year some college buddies and I decided to camp out on Colorado Blvd and enjoy a close up view. That was one of the few years it rained. Our tent was soaked and it didn’t help that an inebriated party-goer decided to fall on the tent. I don’t do “sleeping on a curb” very well. At about 6:00 a.m. we gave up, drove back to my parents’ home, showered, brewed tea, and had a front row seat from the very comfortable and dry living room.
My brother and sister-in-law lived in Pasadena for many years, just off the parade route, so one year I parked at their place and we walked the few blocks to catch the parade in all its glory. It really is a treat. The floats are spectacular. And who doesn’t like a good marching band or horses?
One thing I had never done is see the floats up close. After the Parade is over, the floats are staged for a few days at the end of the parade route for an up-close-and-personal inspection. It is worth it. This year I took the 2nd off, met my brother and SIL at their home and we walked the 1.5 miles to the staging area. Good energy!
Music blasting, food trucks, football fans wearing their Alabama and Michigan colors, and other loyal Pac-12 (Pac-10? Pac-4? Pac-0?) fans proudly displayed their UW Huskies or UCLA shirts as well. We strolled the 2+ miles to get a closer view of what we watched on TV the previous day. One of these days I will volunteer to work on a float – that in itself is an adventure.
And…did you notice? Blue skies, perfect weather.
Musings About Life 