The Royce Files

Battles were fought on July 4th somewhere and at sometime - but not the battle for independence in the United States. This holiday was mostly bloodless although years of bloodshed and battle preceded and followed to ensure that independence. The day which the Yanks celebrate commerates the signing and adoption of a statement- The Declaration of Independence . A signing may have happened that day but it seems the historical record also gives some credance that some signatures were added a month later. Nevertheless, this document caused quite a stir. So the Americans whoop it up, blow up, and grill things. Want to imagine you were there at the signing of the Declaration- then this MP3 is for you: You Were There- Declaration of Independence This is great CBS radio program from the 1950s. Educational and entertaining.

The following in the continuing narrative of my solo bike tour in North Dakota in early July. It was July 4th. It never seems special anymore since I am usually on the road to somewhere. Well, last year I was actually at a celebration at a friend's homestead. I even met up with a rock star that evening. Today I met a motor cycle couple from Iowa. They had pitched camp next to me at the campground. We talked a little about biking. They mentioned RAGBRAI , a popular (if not legendary) tour in Iowa from the Missouri to Mississippi River. I had read about it a number of years ago in Outside magazine. We also discussed the flooding in Fargo and in Iowa. After chatting I headed to the actual Pioneer Village next to the campground. This collection of old buildings with associated antiques is quaint and free. There was even a building they called "Louis L'Amour Writer's Shack," which featured artifacts from the prolific author's original hovel for writing. If you di...