Instead of heading down to the Mall and battling the tourists to see the national fireworks from the Lincoln Memorial, we took a friend up on his offer to let us watch from the luxury of his apartment across from Malcolm X Park.

Phillip has panoramic views that stretch from Capitol Hill to past the Cathedral and we were treated to hours of fireworks — from as far away as NoVa and as close as across the street. Fireworks and firecrackers exploded from all sides and gave us quite a show.

We missed the camaraderie that the Mall offers, as well as the feeling of the noise echoing inside you. Phillip’s show, on the other hand, did afford us the luxury of watching the man-made light show against a backdrop of natural fireworks as lightning bounced from cloud to cloud and periodically touched down.

It was a nice change of pace and fun, laid-back way to spend time with a friend, but I suspect next year we may find ourselves back along the reflecting pool in the midst of the action.