Vince and I looked high and low for places where we could get an unobstructed view for photographing the fireworks. We arranged with Thomas Cooper and Co to use their 2nd floor balcony at Fountain Walk. When we returned that evening to set up, I experienced another lapse in short term memory (i.e. a victim of the forgetting curve). I pushed "3" on the elevator console instead of "2". When we exited the elevator, everything looked the same and we set up on the balcony. Soon we were approached by a very nice lady who politely asked why we were there. We explained and learned that we were one floor above where we had agreed to be. But this is Charleston, the friendly city. Our surprised host, Universal Solutions LLC, invited us to enjoy their party and use their 3rd floor balcony for our photo adventures.

This morning (Saturday, July 23, 2005) I arrived in Paris, baby sitting duty for our grandson - and an opportunity to photograph the finish of the Tour de France. And, as gloom clouds are disappearing, our apartment has internet access. The first mail was from Karen Cheek, who turns out to be the "very nice lady" who facilitated our use of the Universal Solutions balcony. The Internet really does flatten the world and create social communities without geographic boundaries.

Here are the results: Smiles everywhere - and gone are the gloom clouds and great photos of both the fireworks and lighting the bridge.