Observed yesterday morning a few hours prior to disembarking. We’ll absolutely forgive the use of the term “4th of July” on the cake.

The cake decorator, kitchen, and the ship upon which it’s been prepared and presented aren’t American-staffed, owned, nor operated. This is a wonderful, respectable, and commendable effort. It’s been rendered accurately from the location (and shade) of the blue field, the number and arrangement of its stars, to the number and order of its stripes.

Five out of five. Will sail again.

Sure, it’s also the 4th of July.

Every nation in the world has a 4th of July. It follows the 3rd of July and precedes by the 5th of July.

But, as an American, I believe it’s critically important that we recognize the date for what it is: it’s our Independence Day.

Referring to our Independence Day as only the “4th of July” is as absurd as calling Christmas Day the “25th of December”. It cheapens and lessens the importance and significance of that day.

Weltschmerz: a deep, melancholic weariness, sadness, or hopelessness about the state of the world

For example, I feel weltschmerz in the face of a future that troubles me, and frustration at how little influence I have over its course.

Or, perhaps:

As I’ve grown older, my weltschmerz has become stronger.

Only because this is is part of something that’s been consuming my time and attention for four years:

Not riding the entire distance — although the idea has merit — but a quick trip up a short section from the Columbia River.

Arrived just after sunrise. Uphill from the Columbia River on the rail trail grade to Doris. Into the wind. On a gravel roadbed.

On the plus side, the ride down the grade was considerably faster.