We woke late and started the drive back to vermont. on the way we visited Dian’es uncle Armond. His wife Miriam died a week ago after a long illness. Armond is 88 and sharp as a whip. He was doing well. It was very good to see him..   6 hours later we slid back into jonesville.. a long drive down and back to endicott.. still very nice to see everyone..

The plan for this evening was to head to chris’s to see the delayed burn of the giant mammoth . It was to have burnt on the solstice, but the high winds and rain forced a delay.. I’m glad it did.. the weather tonight was great. low 20’s and a light snow..

This is Chris’s most masterful design yet,,the beast was huge and life like. He and friends including Mike, gabe, max, abbot and Luke had worked for weeks to get this guy built ..

A nice crowd had gathered as we layered on the last of the fireworks. I had a few chemical flares.. strontium nitrate/perchlorate for red, zinc and sulfur for green, some magnesium wire for white and a 5 pound cremora fire ball for fun. they worked fine.. but I have o admit the ton of store bought fireworks were prettier and more fun..

We had a bit of a time getting the whole thing lit.. but once it caught it went up beautifully..

here’s a samstone in a pyrodex charge.. ready to blow up.

max rides the beast !

the builders gather for a quick pic

i’m in there too.. just taking the pic.

and then it lit !.. (and my batteries gave out 🙂

we took turns walkign through the fire at the end.. it was hot and purifying..

max  (aka nero) played while the mamoth burned..

 

ok.. time for bed.. more tomorrow

thanks Chris and kim for hosting the best burn yet !

nite all, nite sam

-me