It’s my second fourth of July spent in San Diego! I kicked it off with a morning hike at 4S park, facing my fears of hills (albeit they were baby hills), and earning my dunkin breakfast for the day.

If I were back in New Jersey, I’d be walking down the road to the highschool with my neighbor and daughter, lawn chairs on our backs, ready to watch the fireworks show. May be I’d be perusing the various food trucks for a treat, may be I’d be laying out on the blanket we brought watching the fire works explode above us, while I battle the mosquitos.

In years past, we’d have spent it at my uncle’s house in Long Island. And depending on the tide, perhaps we’d make a quick trip out the Hampton Bays for a little fishing. Then we’d clean up, may be cut up any fish that might have been caught, and eventually sit around the table, listening to the many stories my uncle had on what it was like to live in Brooklyn when it was farmland, and wondering why the hotdogs that were promised never materialized.

This year, just like last, I’m spending it with one of my besties, bbq’ing some burgers and hot dogs on her patio, while we open the bottle of Jaws wine I purchased from Von’s earlier this summer. Then we’ll make our way down to the water, lawn chairs on our backs, and watch the fireworks from both the bay and Petco Park.

Hoping everyone has a wonderful fourth of July, filled with hot dogs, fireworks, and visions of sugar plums dancing in your heads!