When you desire a great escape, you mustn’t look too far. Tropical islands and far away paradises are nice, sure, but trips of this nature require a great amount of time, money and energy.
I suggest you go camping.
It’s more than likely you have a campground within reasonable driving distance of your current location. So gather some friends, pack the essentials, and hit the road for an exciting weekend getaway.
Time around the campfire is a great opportunity to engage with your friends. It is important to do this; people don’t bond enough anymore.
If you haven’t already been to the theaters to see Disney/Pixar’smasterpiece Wall-E, I suggest you go immediately. Make it a date, bring the kids or even go alone; this lovable robot is sure to please. Don’t delay, check out Fandango for a listing of your local theaters and available show times.
A week ago I ventured to Gunnison, CO for the 108th annual Cattlemen’s Days festival. Over the course of the ten-day event, the thousands that flock to the area enjoy rodeos, livestock shows, horse races, roping and barrel races, parades, live music and a carnival. It is the ultimate celebration of Western heritage.
With such a rich history and so much to offer, it’s no wonder people refer to this event as the “Grand Daddy of Colorado Rodeos.”
This year, attendees witnessed something truly remarkable.
Midway through Friday nights’ rodeo, a team known as “The Ghost Riders” stormed the arena; these were no ordinary cowboys!
These particular cowboys rode on the backs of border collies. Yes, that’s right, dogs.
They also were clothed in miniature chaps; ultra miniature chaps.
Are you puzzled?
Prepare to be wowed.
These were Cowboy Monkeys! White-throated Capuchin monkeys, to be specific.
Dressed in ornate costumes, they buzzed around at high speeds, saddled atop the collies. They handled the dogs with amazing skill and grace. Seeing this was a jaw-dropping experience in itself; but to our amazement they successfully herded sheep up a ramp into the back of a pickup truck! I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Amongst the monkey’s was the world renowned Whiplash. You may recognize Whiplash from his appearances in Taco John’s commercials this past year. I’ve included one below for your viewing pleasure.
It was an honor to see the Cowboy Monkeys in action.
When I book a flight it is not the cost of the ticket that worries me. My main concern is the seat I will be occupying.
There are many advantages to sitting by the window.
I can wedge a pillow between my head and the wall for maximum comfort. I will rest assured knowing the drink cart won’t bump my elbow or crunch my outstretched leg as it passes by. Additionally, none of the passengers seated next to me will have to disturb me in order to get up and move about. How generous it is to think of others!
These are nice benefits, I’m sure you’ll agree. There is another, much more exciting aspect of the window seat experience, however, and that is the view outside. There is much to see through that little oval lens.
I’ve witnessed the most glorious sunrises. I’ve seen the first rays of light touch down on Norway’s farmland; a magical golden glow illuminates the tops of the hilly green fields and the beautiful red-colored homes. I wonder if perhaps someone is awakening as the first light of day creeps in through the bedroom window. Other homes still lay in the dark shadows. Someone is still asleep, I imagine, but the bright white light is not far off.
I’ve seen magnificent sunsets. The bright pink and orange skies give way to vivid purples and greens. Next come the grays and the endless shades of blue. Eventually, there is only the blackness. The nighttime brings new mysteries.
I stare at the stars; outer space is not far off. I’ve flown above wild thunderstorms; flashes of lightning reveal the clouds below, a momentary point of reference. I’ve looked down upon firework displays; the colorful explosions are rather somber from high in the sky. I imagined the booming chaos below; I thought of the waves of people cheering in approval and gazing up in fascination. Perhaps for a second they saw past the bursts of color and saw the blinking lights of my plane.
It’s amazing to see the shimmering lights of cities. The radiance is humbling; the energy used to power these metropolises is inconceivable. My mind fills with thoughts of nightlife. Somewhere below in that sea of light, somebody is walking to a parking garage after an expensive dinner. The red and blue flashing lights of an emergency response vehicle catch my eye. Is someone in trouble? I see a long procession of cars crossing a bridge; what are their destinations?
All these captivating thoughts fill my mind as a drift off to sleep.
When I awake, the sun is burning brightly. In the daylight, I continue to observe the land below.
I oftentimes fly past my hometown on the East Coast. I feel removed from the familiar places that are a large part of my life. It all seems distant; the town becomes a tiny speck in an incredibly vast landscape.
I always admire the crop fields of the central United States. Each field demands immaculate maintenance. From above, they appear as large, strangely beautiful geometric shapes. I’ve flown over the towering peaks of the Rockies and the Sierras. The forces of tectonics that molded these mountains come to mind. I follow the rivers that twist and turn through the valleys. I see another plane buzzing by, far below. I’m sure some of its’ passengers are also admiring the view.
From way up high, we see the bigger picture; it’s a stimulating perspective of the wild world that we have constructed. We are reminded of the people and places beyond the confines of our daily lives. There is much to discover.
So next time you book your flight be sure to make your arrangements far in advance; this way you’ll have more options as to your seating assignments.
Pick a window seat clear of the wings.
And while you journey from point A to point B, marvel and wonder at all that you see.
I ventured home for the Fourth of July. The flags came out and the fireworks went boom; our Independence Day is a good reminder of one very important thing… we’re #1 and the British are #2.
