I was supposed to get up early on July 4th to run in Morgan Hill's Freedom 5K. I wasn't feeling all that well, but I convinced myself I could do it. That delusional thinking worked until the last quarter mile, when reality caused a nasty cramp. Thinking about the delicious post-race pancake breakfast (with coffee and bagels) was the only thing that kept me going. I finished with a mediocre time of 26:40.

After breakfast, I stopped home for a quick shower and change before returning to see the parade. Monterey Highway, which runs through the center of town, was closed for the lengthy procession of vintage cars, school buses, fire trucks, tow trucks, horses, marching bagpipe groups, high school bands and farm equipment.

The traffic after the parade was horrendous. Little roads were never intended for so many SUVs. I managed to get out of town and make it up to my parents' place for a tasty chicken barbecue and weekend stay.

We watched San Jose's fireworks display on television, but it wasn't nearly as impressive as the ones in New York and Washington DC. We also watched the neighborhood display as parents let their kids set off various explosive devices in the park across the street. Only the continuous barking of freaked out dogs was louder than the explosions.