Celebrating independence

The weekend of the Fourth of July brought many freedom festivals to Davis County communities, where I shoot photos and write stories for the Davis Clipper. It was fun to see something of each celebration, starting with the annual car show in North Salt Lake (above).

Even Mother Nature turned things red, white and blue during the sunset on the evening of July 1 (below).

West Bountiful held their annual parade Saturday morning, July 2, with flags all around.

Saturday night -- again in North Salt Lake -- the traditional fireworks lit the night sky, a tradition carried on by many other communities the next Monday.

July 4 was filled with parades and festivals in Kaysville, Centerville and Layton (below).

Farmington held their festival days to honor Freedom, Faith and Families (below) a week later, on July 9.

No matter your age, you have something to celebrate on the Fourth of July in America, as shown by this parade participant (above) and the man who led us in the Pledge of Allegiance (below).

Jay Hess was a Prisoner of War in Vietnam. He knows what that pledge means.

Yea for celebrations, and but a bigger yea for the people who have given their all over the last 240 years so that we continue to have a land of freedom and opportunity and a reason to celebrate.

Morning walk - San Francisco

Every morning during my four-day stay in San Francisco last week, the fog rolled in to the bay through the Golden Gate. Sometimes it would envelope the base of the bridge, sometimes the top. Sometimes it would fill the bay, sometimes it would work its way up the hillside and envelope us there. What an incredible way to start the day! Views from every angle, all interesting.

A welcome home to those who served

I have some unique opportunities as a reporter and photographer for our local weekly. One is to be an observer of things that often happen out of view of the public. The safe return of airmen from Afghanistan last week was one such moment. Every picture tells 1,000 words. I'm glad I was a witness.