Happy July 4th, America!

Independence is liberating, no?

Regardless of who is running this country, whether or not I agree with the majority, and in spite of the fact I spent my formative years in Europe, I still love living in the United States of America. I’ve lived in enough places to know there is no perfect place to live, and have learned to take the annoying along with the luxuries of this American life (apologies to Ira Glass).

It feels strange to watch the Tour de France on July 4th. But to be honest, this race is becoming an American tradition on this day. It was with bated breath I watched as Tyler Farrar, the American sprinter from Garmin-Transitions, a Boulder based team, and the first true American sprinter to have a chance at the Green Jersey approach the finish line today in Brussels in contention to take the Sprint. Unfortunately, he was bumper-car’d by another rider (from French team AG2R-La Mondiale’s Lloyd Mondory) and instantly taken out of the train of the victorious, which happened to include the 37 year old Alessandro Pettachi. It would have been Iconic to have Farrar win today- an American from an American team. Alas, next year?

Later on, we’ll attend the requisite BBQ, and likely see fireworks, perhaps from a high mountain trail overlooking the San Gabriel Valley.

In the meantime, I will be thankful to all those who have made our Independence possible- from the Founders to the Fighters through the ages.

namaste

-Tonya