It It was last minute, coming downstairs from my home in the boatyard. The folks at the Newburyport Whale Watch office flagged me down, and I jumped on their dinner cruise for the July 4th Fireworks. I thought it would be fun... but it was so much more.
First of all, the Prince of Whales is a nice boat and Cap'n Billie has a great crew. It leaves from the boardwalk at the waterfront. During his whale watch cruises, Billie often stays out longer than he should. I guess he really gets into it and when the passengers are having a great time, he doesn't want to come back. Last week the folks showed up for the 2:00 cruise, early of course, and the parking lot was still full of the 8:30 cruise cars, and that was a mess.
Back to the 4th. After a cruise upriver we headed out to sea and northwards. Dinner was served and the DJ got some action going on the upper deck. The sea was calm, the temperature perfect. Sunset started.
Because of the mix of warm weather clouds it was absolutely spectacular, and as dusk fell all up and down the coast private fireworks displays started. They were impressive, and we could see them from Gloucester to Portsmouth. At one point I counted 29 different active displays. The combination of the fireworks against the background of the fading sunset brought me such a feeling of grateful happiness; it was joyful to see and experience. I only wish I'd had a loved one with me to share it with. But passengers kept coming to where I stood and joined me, watching, commenting. A bit later on the Hampton Beach fireworks started, the boat went dark and quiet, and as we all gazed, enthralled, I thought of the works to the Star Spangled Banner: "and the rockets' red glare, bombs bursting in air...". It was on a par with an evening I watched the sun set over the ruins of a Greek Temple on the Caspian Sea.
Newburyport Whale Watch and The Captain's Lady boats out on Plum Island offer these and many other delightful evening cruises. Take advantage and enjoy this glorious summer! Newburyport's Fireworks are at the end of Yankee Homecoming on July 31st this year. Don't miss that! Cruises for that too.
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