Unexpected Fireworks

Last night Eric and I were hanging out on the couch, relaxing and enjoying our evening, when all of a sudden at about 10:30 we started hearing booming fireworks noises. I got up to look out our window and could see the colors of fireworks reflecting in the windows of the building across the street from us, which told me the fireworks must be over by the river (behind us). I wondered aloud how long they would last, and if we would have time to run downstairs to check them out. Eric decided to hop right up, grab the camera and run downstairs. Achilles and I were a little slower getting out of the house (since it is still winter coat weather here), but we met Eric outside.

Sure enough, there were fireworks going off along the river over in NYC, just north of Chelsea Piers. They lasted for quite some time, probably a solid 20 minutes or so. They were beautiful to watch, with the colors reflecting in the river. Lots of people along the Riverside Walkway stopped to watch and take pictures.

This is what Eric first saw as soon as he stepped out of our apartment building

We're a little washed out, but Achilles and I are watching the fireworks from our side of the river

I love the purple reflection in the water

Smiley face!

Wow!

This is my most favorite picture of them all.

VIDEO: Fireworks!

As soon as we got back upstairs, I scoured the land of Twitter to try to figure out what the occasion might be for fireworks. The two leading theories seemed to be that they were either the official New York St. Patrick's Day Fireworks, or they were just practicing for the official fireworks (if there even are official St. Patrick's Day fireworks!). Today NewYorkology (my favorite NYC info site) says they were for the 250th Anniversary of St. Patrick's Day (they even used one of our pictures in their story about it! We're totally famous.).

Whatever the occasion, I'm glad we got to see these fireworks. One of the things we have been most excited about with the move to Hoboken is the potentially amazing view of NYC's Fourth of July fireworks from this side of the Hudson this year. However, the location of the July 4th fireworks still seems to be up in the air. We would be super bummed if they moved them back to the East River this year, but even if they do, at least we got a little taste of what it might have been like!

Ah, you just never know what your day (or night) will bring when you live around here!