Trying something new, our Fourth of July adventure!

I want to share a more personal story today—something different from my usual political posts. This one is about trying something new, facing a few nerves, and having a good time in Traverse City with Josh for the Fourth of July fireworks.

Josh and I don’t usually go out to big public events at night. As someone who is blind, I haven’t always felt confident navigating these situations, but this year, we decided to go for it. After some planning and plenty of anxious questions, we made a reservation at the West End Tavern, right at the edge of Sunset Park along Grandview Parkway. It’s a perfect spot for the city fireworks, though I didn’t realize just how close it was until we got there.

We used the BATA Link service—a curb-to-curb ride option here in Traverse City that’s very similar to paratransit—for our trip downtown. Its service area covers Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties, and it runs until about 10:30 PM on weekends in Traverse City (with slightly earlier cutoffs elsewhere) (). We arrived just in time for dinner. It was our first visit, so we both ordered hamburgers. The West End Tavern isn’t the cheapest place in town, but the food was delicious, and you’re really paying for that beautiful view of the bay. I could even make out a bit of the light from the fireworks, which is rare for me and felt pretty special.

After dinner, the logistics made me a little nervous. I wasn’t sure where we needed to go to actually watch the fireworks. One of the employees, a friendly guy from Jamaica who also works at Big Boy, tried to help, but thought we might have to walk farther downtown. He meant well, but I don’t think he realized how close we already were. Someone else told me we should head to Sunset Park, which is literally right behind the tavern. When I called one of the local cab companies to double-check, they said, “You’re already there!” I felt a little silly until I explained that I’m visually impaired and this was all new to me. After that, everyone seemed even more willing to help.

The staff at the West End Tavern were wonderful. When I needed to find the restroom, a hostess kindly walked me there. She ended up being an even bigger help later. After her shift ended at 10 PM—just before the fireworks started at 10:30—she took the time to help Josh and me down to the best viewing spot behind the restaurant. We were so grateful for her kindness and patience.

We settled into some metal swivel chairs with a little table between us, right by a short wall overlooking the park. Other people were around, but it wasn’t crowded or overwhelming—just enough company to feel festive. The fireworks show was fantastic, and it was exciting to be out at night for something like this together. Both Josh and I felt more confident and had a genuinely great time.

When the show ended, we faced one more little challenge—getting a ride home. Traverse City doesn’t have a ton of cabs, and the ones available were already booked up because of the fireworks and Cherry Festival. When I called one of the cab companies, they suggested we try Uber or Lyft, assuring me that drivers would still be out with so many people in town. We ended up booking a Lyft after a short wait.

We got a little turned around behind that low wall by the patio, but a kind woman and her young daughter came over and helped us find our way out to the parking lot, where our ride was waiting. I was so relieved and grateful for their help, too.

Looking back, I realize this night was a bigger deal for us than it might seem. When you can’t see and you’re trying something new, every step is a little adventure. But we did it together—and we’ll definitely do it again next year! I’m proud of both of us for taking that leap, and I hope our story encourages anyone who’s hesitant about getting out of their comfort zone.

Thanks for reading! If you’ve ever faced a similar challenge or have any tips for getting around town during big events, I’d love to hear your stories in the comments.

Vicki Andrada's avatar

By Vicki Andrada

A Little About Me I was born on February 25, 1972, in Flint, Michigan, at McLaren Hospital. I lived in Michigan until I was almost 40, then moved to Tampa, Florida, where I stayed for seven years. After that, I relocated to Arizona, living with friends in Glendale and then in Phoenix for about eight months. I spent two years total in Arizona before returning to Florida for a little over a year. Eventually, I moved back to Michigan and stayed with my parents for six months. In May of 2022, I moved to Traverse City, Michigan, where I’ve been ever since—and I absolutely love it. I never expected to return to Michigan, but I’m so glad I did. I was born blind and see only light and shadows. My fiancé, Josh, is also blind. We both use guide dogs to navigate independently and safely. My current Leader Dog is Vicki Jo , a four-year-old Golden Retriever/Black Lab mix. She’s my fourth guide dog—my first two were Yellow Labs, and my last two have been Golden/Lab crosses. Josh’s guide dog, Lou, came from the same organization where I got my previous dog—now known as Guide Dogs Inc., formerly Southeastern Guide Dogs. Josh and I live together here in Traverse City, and we both sing in the choir at Mission Hill Church , which was previously known as First Congregational Church. A lot of people still know it by that name. We both really enjoy being part of the choir—it’s something that brings us a lot of joy. I also love to read, write, and listen to music—especially 60s, 70s, and 80s music. Josh and I enjoy listening to music together and watching movies, especially when descriptive video is available. We also like working out at the YMCA a couple of times a week, which has been great for both our physical and mental health. I’m a big fan of Major League Baseball. My favorite team is the Detroit Tigers, followed by the Tampa Bay Rays and the Colorado Rockies. In the NFL, I cheer for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, and San Francisco 49ers—and I still have a soft spot for the Detroit Lions, especially now that they’ve started turning things around. I’m passionate about politics and history. I consider myself a progressive thinker, though I also try to take a balanced, middle-of-the-road approach. I’m a follower of Jesus Christ and a strong believer in respecting people of all faiths. I love learning about different religions, cultures, and belief systems. Writing is one of my biggest passions. I haven’t published anything yet, but I’ve written several books that are still in progress. Writing helps me express myself, explore new ideas, and connect with others through storytelling. Thanks for stopping by and getting to know a little about me.

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