We spent the 4th of July at Lake Chelan for the first time just a couple of days ago. As you know, the 4th is the national holiday celebrating the independence of the U.S from England. It is a day off for everyone, and usually involves a huge fireworks display. My sister-in-law owns a cabin that is right on the lake, a perfect holiday home, and an exciting place to get together and enjoy the water and the celebrations. I must say that the fireworks were definitely not the highlight of the evening. The cabin is located down the lake, far away from the spot where the fireworks take off. In fact, we were so far away, that they looked like a tiny display coming from someones backyard! A bit of an anticlimax really. However, we had had a wonderful time with our friends, and making new ones. I have never lived by water. When I was a child, I would spend summers in Mallorca, and go to the beach every day. But, actually living on the water, especially a lake, would be a very different experience for me. It struck me how relaxing it was sitting talking at a table, with the cool, clean water of Lake Chelan just a few feet away, gently lapping on the sand. I don't think anybody felt stressed. The wine and beer flowed, and then the music started. About half of the people at the party randomly jumped in the water, just like that. The sun gradually went down over the mountains that look over the lake, and all the lights of the houses on the other side of the water came on. That in itself was wonderful enough; it was so pretty. The air was a perfect temperature and smelled so clean, with a hint of pine. And we sat on the dock and swung our legs like children as a group of us talked about deep things. If I had my way, every holiday would be like that.