Light Winds From the Southwest

I thought there would be a photo of fireworks on this post.  I wasn't counting on light winds from the southwest that had their own ideas about fireworks. 

Several hundred people gathered in the parking lots near the Submarine Veteran's Memorial in Groton.  Thousands of others were on the banks of the river along Thames Street. Over 100,000 people come from all over New England to view the event as part of New London's Sailfest. Our spot was seemingly perfect.  I've watched fireworks from the same vantage before. 

It was 9:25 and the very first of the shells exploded.  It was a spectacular start as we've come to expect from a Grucci performance.  But those southwest winds blew the smoke from the fireworks in our direction and stubbornly drifted between the fireworks and thousands of people watching.  For about 10 minutes there was silence from the spectators in our parking lot as realization hit that we wouldn't be seeing much of the fireworks after all - only loud bangs, plenty of smoke and a bit of soot falling on us.  The grandest finales of past years would have to serve as our memory.  Bummer.