P3D New Year's Fireworks

[Bob Wier <wier@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 08:49 PM 12/31/98 -0700, you wrote:
>Well it finally snowed here in good ol' Boise, Idaho on Christmas 
>day. After the presents were opened, the fine meal eaten, and the 

One of the traditions here in our little mountain town is fireworks
shot off by the fire department on the 4th of July and New Years. 

The New Year's display is particularly nice, I think, because it's
pretty much just for the locals - but is only a fraction as long
as the touristy 4th of July expo. Probably it's just as well since
10 minutes is about as long as anyone can stand around outside
at midnight this time of year. I was hoping for some nice stereo
shots as the last few nights have been crystal clear
with almost a full moon shining brilliantly on the snowpack in
the mountains.

However....

For the first time in 15 years, we have a snowstorm going on - not
terribly heavy as I can still see the lights of main street 5 blocks
away. There was some question as to whether they'd go ahead or not,
but this is mining country so a little snow is not enough to discourage
the use of high explosives. 

It was interesting. I'm close enough that I could just barely make
out the streamers in the sky on some of the lower altitude bursts,
but the higher ones just made the whole sky light up different 
colors. Somewhat like the Aurora in some respects, I'd guess. 
The other notable feature is that due to the proximity of
the mountains, you get long rolling booms from the shells echoing
down the valley. They seemed more intense tonight than ususal,
probably being kept down towards the ground somewhat because of the
snowstorm going on. I've noted this effect before when the highway
department is up the canyon  doing avalanche control with their
howitizer. I guess they weren't too worried about bringing stuff
down tonight since the storm only started mid-evening.

It'll be interesting to see what, if anything, I got on film...

--Bob Wier

(currently in Ouray, Colorado)...



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