Our 2 littlest grandsons were delivered to us this morning at 8:30 am so we could take them up to the Corbett 4th of July Parade that is held every year. We've been going to this parade since 1973 when we moved to this little town 20 miles East of Portland, Oregon - in the Columbia River Gorge. It used to go right in front of our house, but now it goes along the Historic Columbia River Highway as it's an easier grade for the marchers, the horses and the classic cars. Still, it's just about 1/4 mile to the top of our road, so we just drive up and park in the grass alongside the road and set up our chairs. This may have been one of the most beautiful days for this event. Here is the crowd gathering and waiting for the parade.
Grandpa is called "Papa" by the boys.. here he is taking them for a walk while waiting for the parade to arrive.. notice the leashes? We're no dummies! LOL
The parade arrives led by a collection of vintage cars.
The color guard of military men head up the parade and here is my battle wounded, veteran husband, Dayle, saluting them.
There were very little horses....
More cars....
Bigger horses, I think these are called Percheron draft horses. Love the carriage!
Another car...
Kids on quads and motor bikes and 3 wheelers.
More cars...
A very cute covered wagon being pulled by a quad and driven by girls. :-)
Olllld car.
Regular size horses of all colors and breeds being riden by mostly women and girls.
A very cute car.. is this English?
A float being pulled by a vintage tractor driven by an old friend of ours, Woody. This is for his church.
Hayden the 3 year old was loving the cars.
The boys enjoying the big fire truck.
My very good friends, Gary & Bev Law, the "Grand Marshals" of the parade, quite an honor!
A beautiful red Cadillac convertible. Hubby says it's a late 50s model.
A girl riding her pretty Appaloosa horse.
Lots of horses!
A little girl in pink riding a medium small horse.
Belgian draft horses pulling a wagon full of merry makers.
A local logging family.
The Grange float.
A bicycle built for two.
Another amateur float full of girls.
Have you ever seen a little horse riding a float? Now you have!
Another little tiny pinto pony pulling a cart and riders.
The Fire Truck brings up the rear of the parade.
It's over - and Grandpa grabs a boy under each arm and loads them into their car seats.
We drive home and pull into the shady yard of our farm - for those of you wondering how far the Shed is from the house.. here is the photo of them together.
Our flag flutters over my 4th of the July roses that are blooming beautifully.. how apropros!
To me they look like fireworks bursting in air. :-)
Caleb says.. "Papa, PAPA... wide.. WIDE!!" So, of course Grandpa starts up the mower and gives them rides.. and lets them steer.
The youngest grandchild, Caleb.. dirty, tired and full of candy.. and happy.
Grandma relaxes on the deck and watches over the boys.. my patriotic hat worn up to the parade.. and I am crocheting a new watermelon hot-pad as I gave my other one to my Best Friend from 7th Grade when she admired it while here. If you want to make one yourself, go check the directions by
Kate at The Garden Bell.
And so.. I'm plum tuckered out for now.. we may or may not take our little convertible up to watch the fireworks tonight. I hope I didn't over-do it on the photos.. thanks for visiting and I hope you enjoyed our parade with us.
((hugs)) Teresa
I love parades and could almost feel the excitement by just looking at your photos. Thanks for sharing and Happy 4th July to you and your family. Those little horses are sooooooo cute aren't they ?
ReplyDeleteYou can never over do the photo's Teresa...makes us feel like we were there too...you can feel, taste, smell and enjoy the day with you all
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the day
Hugs x
Lovely parade! We don't see a lot of those amazing cars here, belgian draft horses are a common sight though, I just love their sturdy legs and big bums :-) Thank you for sharing your 4th of July!
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We used to live in a small town in Wisconsin and we had parades for everything. I miss those days, now we are in busy Florida and we stay inside onthe 4th of July as it is soooo hot andhumid. Love all your pictures.
ReplyDeleteMeredith
WOW! Loads of pictures! This looks like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your pictures of the 4th of July parade. It looks so happy and bright there - and I just love the stars and stripes and red, white and blue! Have a happy week.
ReplyDeleteHelen x
Really enjoyed the parade Teresa thanks for sharing- can never have too many photographs. I was wondering if the car you said might be english is a Morgan - could be totally wrong but it is similar to the one my BIL a friend of a friend had. Anne x
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing it really gave me a feel for what went on. It looked like little boy heaven with all those cars, trucks, bikes etc. The ponies were very cute too. Exhausting fun!
ReplyDeleteWow! The parade must have been going for hours, I don't think I've ever seen so many classic cars before! My nephew would love them :-) we call those leaches reins (or is it reighns) in England, such a goodidea!
ReplyDeletemy fave pic is the horse on a float! It makes the horse look like it's too little to walk on it's own haha. Poor thing :-) glad you had a lovely 4th July xx
Lovely photos Teresa - what a grand parade - the little horse on the float is just the cutest! Love the red convertible car. Joanna xx
ReplyDeleteThis is the best kind of parade. Got love that small town spirit. You sure have some fancy cars in town and such cute ponies too. Did the kids get lots and lots of candy. I hope so and that they shared.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun parade!!Kids must have had a good time!!
ReplyDeleteHi Teresa: We drove down the Historic Columbia River Highway this morning on our way home from Portland! I had no idea it was only 1/4 mile from your house. I could have stopped for a glass of tea and some crocheting!!! It was a beautiful drive today and we even hiked around some of the waterfalls.
ReplyDeleteThe parade pictures were great, I could feel your love for the day.
Betsy in Spokane
I don't know how you found me, but thanks for the invite! I loved your parade! Hope you don't mind, but I have to share my .02 cents on the 'leashes.'
ReplyDeleteWhen I was 7 (back in the early 60s) we went to Yosemite for our first family vacation. We hiked all the way up to the top of one of the falls and found a family from Germany there. They had a harness and leash on their young son (2 yrs. maybe?) and it looked like it would hold him strongly enough to pull him back if he fell over the edge. Do you know that there were other adults whispering on the trail about how ghastly it was that they would put their child on a leash "..like he was a dog or something!"
Hello...!!! It only takes a second for a toddler to get into serious trouble. I think they were brilliant to have thought of doing it! Love that you are brilliant too!
Lynda
What a wonderful parade! I'm going to have to show this one to Car Guy. He'll be able to tell me what kind of car that is ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see your parade,I loved that red Cadillac. How wise your Hb is to have those 2 precious grandsons on reins, you can never be too careful can you. Both my children had reins when young and I would not hesitate to use them if I ever have the pleasure of having grandkids! I also loved that 4th July rose...stunning.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a fun day and enjoy the sunshine.
Jane x
Oh this is such a wonderful post! Love, love, love all the photos. Small Town America is awesome! Thanks for taking all of us with you. :) The last shot of the yarn porn was good, too. :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun time was had by all
ReplyDeleteAw -- very wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteFantastic parade........pageantry done American style, some gorgeous vintage cars on show........your little grandsons are so sweet.
ReplyDeletelily x
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI've just found your blog via your comment on Henhouse's blog. I loved seeing your 4th July pictures. I was lucky enough to be on honeymoon in Cape Cod in 2009 and saw the 4th July parade there. Your pictures brought back some lovely memories.
I wish we had a similar national day of celebration in England. St George's Day is pretty quiet in comparison.
Kind Regards,
Kathryn.
Hi Teresa, Thank you for visiting and following my blog! It looks like you had a fabulous 4th. I'm totally in love with your farm!
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