when you expect the worst, sometimes life decides to give you the best day ever.

I try to keep this blog a happy environment by trying not complain about things all the time (although it does happen occasionally). That's why I rarely talk about the traffic here in the D.C. area, because in my opinion (and that of many others), IT. IS. HELL. Victor and I try to make the best of it. We don't let it prevent us from getting out and doing things, but it is a constant thing that looms in the back of our minds. With the summertime brings bad traffic even on the weekends. Miserable, I tell you.

So, when the Fourth of July came around this year, I complained to Victor when he suggested going into D.C. for the holiday. I whined, "there will be so much traffic, Victor! and not to mention it will be so hot and so crowded! and I go there all the time anyway, and we've seen it all already!" I know what you're thinking: "wow, he puts up with a lot of whining." I'm working on it.

One of Victor's friends and his girlfriend wanted to see the sites of D.C. for the fourth, so they came down from NYC for the day. So, we decided to meet them for an early lunch, before going to Annapolis to have a bbq with Victor's sponsor family from the Naval Academy, the Beals. And you know what happened???

A miracle.

There was absolutely no traffic. It took us 25 minutes to get into downtown D.C.: a record. If only it were like that all the time. So we had a very lovely time exploring around Capitol Hill and eating delicious pizza from our favorite D.C. place.

 Then, we left for Annapolis, telling our friends that we would contemplate the idea of coming back into the city for the concert at the Capitol Building and fireworks. We were weary of the thought of not only getting into the city, but also finding a place to park our car. Again, I imagined the worst.

But then I started thinking. This probably is our only Independence Day here, and if we have the chance to hear the National Orchestra famously play the Overture of 1812 while the fireworks explode over the Washington Monument, then shouldn't we take that chance??

So we did. And you want to know what happend?

Miracles all around.

Absolutely no traffic getting back into the city. Absolutely no problem finding a parking spot, which was conveniently located next to a tunnel that directly connects to the freeway, so there was absolutely no traffic to get out of the city and back home.

There is probably more to life than basing your happiness on how bad the traffic is, but let me tell you, that traffic free day, coupled with spending the day with great friends and great food, made it a PERFECT day. Best Fourth of July ever.

Here are some more pictures from the holiday.

I think AJ was getting bored of how many times we stopped to enjoy the scenery. 

Delish and beautiful. I did not make this. 

 That evening:

the heat and humidity turns my face into a cherry tomato. 

 Not the best quality fireworks pictures, but those fireworks were awesome. The live orchestra and cannons helped with that.

It was a perfect day.
God bless America!