It Rained On My Parade (Newport Beach Boat Parade)

For the past couple of years (we've been making it a tradition), we've gone to Newport Beach the last weekend before Christmas for the Newport Beach Boat Parade. We set up food, bring chairs and warm clothes and LOTS of coffee and hot chocolate.

And then we wait. And we wait. Until... we hear music and see the boats turning the corner of the harbor (Newport Beach Harbor) and head out way.

The lights are dazzling and the atmosphere festive, as the dancing lights reflected on the water entrance us. People shout from their boats and some people sing. Once it starts, it lasts for about 40 minutes to an hour, and we are transfixed the entire time. Check out this post from 2008!

But that won't be happening this year... In Southern California this year, nature decided to rain on us. Don't get me wrong, I love the rain and know we need it. But. We really don't want to be out in the cold, the dark, the beach, with little or no boats to watch (not to mention the expense of the gas to get there - $40 or more), as it rains, pours, and floods the beach in puddles (think kids and dogs and a wet, wet, soaking ride home for more than an hour!).

*Sigh*

And so... we didn't go. Either last night or tonight. And I get it. But, I'm a little disappointed and a little depressed. This only happens once a year, and when it's gone, we look forward to it again. *sniff* And so... maybe next year... just maybe, nature will be kind to us once again, so that we may enjoy the brilliance of the season again.