By the Dawn's Early Light

A July Fourth Apostle Islands postcard

It is almost too much, too sappy — here it is, dawn’s early light on the morning of the Fourth of July and the sky in front of me is literally turning red, white, and blue.

It is fitting, I suppose. What could be more patriotic than being in a national park unit to watch sunrise on the Fourth of July? A place meant, to be “a pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” All the people - every race, creed, religion, political affliliation, everyone. Owned by all, managed for the good of all, shared by everyone, our national parks and public lands seem as fitting a symbol of the spirit of democracy as any flag or proclamation I can think of.

There will be plenty of parades today, shoulder-to-shoulder crowds belting out slightly-off-key but heartfelt patriotic songs. There will be hot dogs, apple pie, and Uncle Sam look-alikes on stilts. Tonight, there will be the “bombs bursting in air” of fireworks rattling the windows. I love this country. I’ve just never felt the need to wave a flag or walk in a parade to prove it. True patriotism, like true love, need not be shouted from the rooftops; it often speaks most loudly in silence.

I cut the engine of the Little Dipper and drift in that silence.

There are many battles yet to be fought, many protests to be part of, petitions to be signed to protect these public lands, to protect our very democracy itself. But for now, just for these few moments, this red, white, and blue sunrise is enough, it is more than enough.

Happy Fourth of July.

— Jeff Rennicke (all photography by the author unless otherwise noted).