Fantasy Fourth afloat on Lake Josephine

Nearly every July 4th of my life has been highlighted by watching parades in Keewatin and Nashwauk, close to my red ore Iron Range roots.

Last Independence Day, my grandchildren discovered that, at those parades, candy is tossed to youngsters, so I expect to be standing on "up north" pavement with them for years to come, as they catch such bounty.

But the one Fantasy Fourth that is most brightly etched in memory was in 2007, right here in Roseville, on the waters of Lake Josephine, on a neighbor's pontoon boat.

With friends, my husband and I boarded about 8 p.m., lugging snacks, drinks and a well-chilled bottle of Champagne. About a dozen other boats were on the lake, and to provide entertainment for all within hearing range, we put a polka CD on the player, turned up the volume and sang along to those old tunes.

If you've ever been on Josephine, you know it isn't very big. Depending on how fast the motor propels you, a circuit takes from 10 to 20 minutes. On that night, we were in no hurry.

The sky was utterly clear above. But as the sun dipped in the west, its departing glow painted horizon clouds incredible shades of pink and purple that seemed indelible, so slow were they to fade. 

Then dusk and darkness took command, providing a velvet backdrop for fireworks. It seemed they were all around us, perhaps from Shoreview, Maplewood, New Brighton -- we weren't sure. All we saw was color and glitter from every direction.

At just about 10 p.m., we heard booms, then saw rainbow blasts as fireworks from Roseville's Central Park dominated the sky. We turned on Minnesota Public Radio as high as it would go on the boat's sound system for audio of patriotic marches to match the July 4th mood. It was magical. We opened the bubbly to celebrate being on a lovely lake in the Land of the Free.

Too soon, the fireworks finale faded and it was dark and quiet, except for stars above and the occasional shoreline sparkle as Josephine residents continued celebrating. One more cruise around the lake until we were the last boat afloat -- we didn't want that beautiful night to be over. But all things must and do end -- that cruise, and exactly three months later, on October 4th, my husband's life.

Now, when I think of July 4th, I don't primarily remember all the decades of northern parades. I remember one perfect night on Lake Josephine, never to be recaptured.

For the purposes of reportage, I called all the surrounding suburbs, and none, other than Roseville, are planning fireworks on the Fourth-- probably thanks to tight municipal budgets.  That beautiful Ring of Fire night won't happen again -- at least today -- but it is brilliant in my fond memory.