“ In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” (John Muir)

There’s no question that I’ve been allotting more time these days to visiting “green”, open spaces in my South Florida community. For I definitely prefer spending more of those cooler winter mornings in December feeling “calm and collected” by doing what I love to do outdoors. So I prioritize joining those throngs of “locals” who enjoy biking, exercising or walking amid those inviting environs of surrounding parks and forests as often as I can. I might also reason that such casual hobbies experienced amid such sub – tropical nature most certainly provides a suitable alternative to obsessing about daily life calamities reported on the TV and other electronics messaging services every day when sitting at home.

But I’m inclined to reason further that there’s so much more to contemplate about our community “green spaces” than just carrying on routinely with our leisurely ways there to pass one’s time. For lately I’ve been feeling a definite “buzz” in the air over the vital need to make better use of our current open space lands to preserve our earth’s natural environment and wildlife forms in the future. How timely it seemed then for me to discover Flamingo Botanical Gardens and Wildlife Sanctuary lying along the easterly boundary of the vast Florida Everglades amid a fast encroaching suburban community.

Know then that this latest South Florida tourist visit of mine to this environmentally uplifting complex appeared to be a “game changer” in reframing my attitude more seriously about spreading knowledge to others about getting involved now in sustainable actions for the “greater good”  of our future communities. For in my home Fort Lauderdale vicinity, I’m particularly concerned by the likely impact of catastrophic “global warming” events, where more powerful projected hurricanes combined with sea level rise may soon submerge our low-lying lands in disastrous flooding conditions. So let’s take a more detailed look in the following paragraphs and associated photo collection at several notable highlights observed during my self guided tour how “green” spaces might efficiently be utilized to attain a more sustainable future for our fragile Earth’s survival. 

So notice first of all that Flamingo Gardens puts extensive effort into promoting new tree plantings to help capture carbon dioxide to counteract rising temperatures and clean our air. Along this Botanical Gardens walking portion I’ve taken, you can also see that endangered tree species such as giant Figs and Banyons, tropical rainforest shrubbery and native hardwood hammocks have been carefully preserved under natural conditions as well. Observe another designated area of the park which provides manageable residency for permanently injured or non-releasable Florida native wildlife or bird species such as the bald eagle or horned owl that could not survive in the wild on their own. Strong efforts to provide suitable breeding grounds for water bird nesting at the park rookery can be seen along with a manicured garden for attracting endangered butterfly species as well.

It’s no coincidence to me then that Flamingo Gardens promotes itself as a thriving center for environmental education offering fun scavenger hunt experiences for students who visit on field trips from school as well as engaging classes in topics such as aromatherapy and rare plant care for adults in the surrounding community. So given this optimistic report of my Flamingo Gardens experience, what ideas might you spread to others in your community best now to combat such “doomsday” prophecies of environmental and wildlife destruction? Happy Holidays to all.

“We accept and thank you for this wonderful building…The citizens of Davie will take pride in it, maintain it, and cherish it. ” (Colonel Walsh at the official dedication of the Davie School, May 10, 1918)

As I approach the  end of the year holiday season once again, it’s  time for me to reassess my writing “peaks and valleys” of 2022. For in spite of escalating time challenges, I remain passionately committed to experience the present moment of travel in such blog efforts from both near and afar. Thus in furtherance of this task, I’ve made a timely purchase of the book, “100 Things To Do In Fort Lauderdale Before You Die” by Christiana Lilly. Know then that I fully intend to schedule more time to explore many of these locally inviting places from this guidebook between our road trips and other longer vacations in South Florida starting today and throughout those home based months next year.

So I begin this series by welcoming you to the pioneer days of my current hometown of Davie, Florida at the Old Davie School. Follow me then on a photographic classroom tour at this historic site now recognized as Broward County, Florida’s oldest school and you might imagine what it felt like to be a student or teacher long ago. In particular, I invite you to ponder how instructors and pupils made best use of their time under adverse conditions in this rural community institution designed to serve a maximum of ninety students and three teachers of primarily Caucasian descent at full capacity.

When I first entered this relatively roomy classroom, my eyes immediately turned to items most familiar to me from my own student past. Such items included the long, dusty blackboard at the front of the room, a convenient alphabet strip across the side walls and of course those creaky wooden desks I recall fidgeting in profusely as a kid. I then examined some old textbooks tightly stacked in the back of the classroom, curiously analyzing how the basic concepts of reading, writing, and arithmetic appeared to be most prominently taught. Notable observations were also made at this time about a plentiful supply of dated fiction books, fold out maps and World Encyclopedia volumes along these shelves that fostered student learning attention back then above and beyond such essential learning subjects. Turning to the matter of student/teacher relations, I reasoned that the orderly arrangement of those wooden classroom desks, and the prominent placement of a cowbell on the teacher desk figured prominently in maintaining order in the classroom. I also found matters of parent- teacher communication interesting at the Old Davie School, as I curiously glanced at the use of a detailed number system once used on student report cards.

So let’s bring to life a more modern version of my brief tour of the Old Davie School. For in such consideration of past vs. present pertaining to education in this blog today, how might one effectively address those who complain now that we must return to the “good old days” of strict moral teaching, “rule by the rod” and/or stressing a tight focus on teaching only the “basics” to restore quality education in our schools. One way to frame these thoughts more clearly involves the extent to which paying attention to the the paper and pencil era at the Old Davie School in past rural times remains relevant to the more digitized urban complexities of teaching and learning today. You might also try to envision how today’s students and teachers could successfully adapt to other challenging conditions that took place then such as working in uncomfortably hot and humid conditions in South Florida without air conditioning. As for me, I’m just glad that I discovered some resourceful ways to survive those challenging times of teaching for over thirty years that you got a strong taste of in this blog today.

As 2022 soon ends, I wonder how I might expand reader interest in the listening version of my blog. To clarify, I’ve used the Anchor podcast tool that Word Press endorses for posting all of my written entries on the Spotify website for more than a year now,. You can find them there by typing the search term “Snippets of A Traveling Mind.”  So if you are interested, I encourage you to take a more detailed look at what I’ve been working on. Just click on the link marked summary  below and then follow the cursor prompts that appear on each page of the slideshow. Thanks. 

 

                              Summary 
Continue reading “USFMAN PODCAST INVITE FOR 2023” →

“ Life is a lot like jazz…it’s best when you improvise…” (George Gershwin)

Ruth and I finally took some time to see “Hamilton”, the musical, in a matinee performance at the “Broward Center For The Performing Arts” in Fort Lauderdale last week. As a former history teacher, I settled into into act one wondering mostly about how accurately the events of the American Revolution would be presented then with this youthful cast. In doing so, it became obvious to me at the onset that this high energy play took on an improvisational tone reminiscent of a jazz combo performance as this diverse array of talented artists utilized their fast flowing lyrics to electrify the crowd that afternoon.** By continuing to observe this historical perspective into act two, I ultimately concluded that as each scene elapsed with such spontaneous ease during these dialogues, these creative  depictions of the actual events that happened in early colonial America felt believably real. In support of that conclusion, I observed  notably plausible characterizations  of a stately George Washington, an impulsive Alexander Hamilton, a diabolical King George and the deep thinking Thomas Jefferson that afternoon. 

So it stands to reason that last week‘s vacation to New Orleans similarly provided for us plentiful, “spur of the moment” action involving jazz musical infusion as we explored on our own this historic American city. Know then I found myself reflecting back to my college years as a former musician myself, knowing that jazz music heavily relies on the spontaneity of skills, emotion, and the environment. So allow me to suggest a one day tour of several New Orleans sites  in the similar jazz vein of “making it up as you go along”.

I therefore suggest you begin your “Big Easy” tour with a short ferry ride to the quiet neighborhood of Algiers on the opposite bank of the Mississippi River from the bustling French Quarter downtown. As you saunter serenely along the designated walkway of the “Jazz Walk of Fame Trail”, I recommend you utilize a convenient audio guide app to hear pleasing sample soundtracks at seventeen statue landmarks memorializing legendary jazz musicians who earned New Orleans fame along the way. When the mood strikes you at any point along this route, feel free to take some photographs of your favorite downtown setting across the river as well.

I know it’s only day time, but don’t assume you’ll be obligated to wait for a scheduled jazz show on touristy Bourbon Street tonight. For you can easily head back over the river now and let your ears guide you to any street band performances or an outdoor cafe “gig” around popular Jackson Square or the French Market where most likely you will not be obligated to pay. Too bad you missed jazz themed Mardi Gras this year, but you’ll get the idea of this immediate burst of jazzy excitement then by either doing some window shopping along Canal Street, staring at French latticed balconies along Bourbon Street, or perhaps engaging in some serious statue gazing at Music Legends Park further uptown.

I figure you might be getting tired of walking so much now. So go ahead, it’s still early, and instead get on a local streetcar back on Canal and head northeast toward Frenchman Street where the “locals” might go to experience a quality jazz band performance when desired. While there are several venues to choose from, I would highly recommend the “Spotted Cat Club” early show at 6:00 pm. As you will likely be fully loosened up now by this intimate live performance, show your appreciation for this fun filled day of New Orleans jazz with a striking photo  by a favorite statue. Enjoy the photos. 

** Note that videos and photos were strictly forbidden at the Hamilton performance.

“New Orleans is a city you must visit when you’re young and foolish but return to when you’re wiser and still searching for your dreams.” (Edward Lee)

Let’s face it. Our human life lasts for a mere speck of time so we might as well take advantage of what we most enjoy at any stage of our life. No American city in my past travel experience thus personifies that existential adage of self-exploration for me better than New Orleans. So given my fervent devotion to studying authentic history, enjoying live music, and engaging in serious discussions of multicultural understanding as a blog writer and novice photographer, I present a brief chronicle below of some memorable “quality time” spent in New Orleans during our five day, mini- road trip last week.

To begin our vacation last Sunday, the decision to book a centralized lodging location downtown at the historic Best Western St. Christopher Hotel provided excellent reason to take to the streets nearby on foot to visit such popular tourist hubs as the bustling Canal Street shopping corridor, raucous Bourbon Street strip , as well the more serene shoreline environs abutting both sides of the Mississippi River. To further enhance this slow and easy approach to visiting New Orleans on this most recent occasion, we purchased an inexpensive transit pass allowing us three days of unlimited street car travel throughout the city. Beyond the Old Town proper to the west, we thus devoted an entire morning to ride along St. Charles Avenue and thereby absorb the historic antebellum look of pre- Civil War New Orleans. A second memorable streetcar excursion of interest brought us north of the downtown to the serenely forested grounds of City Park for an afternoon visit at the prestigious Museum of New Orleans.

Our transit pass also granted us free passage across the Mississippi River by ferry to Algiers Point, one of the oldest existing neighborhoods in the city. Following a shoreline path labeled aptly “The Jazz Walk” there, we obtained some fantastic panoramas across the river of New Orleans downtown. Turning inland, our Algiers tour would continue with a curious look at colorful homes shaded with bright pastel colors in this quiet residential vicinity. Regrettably, however, for stomach intolerance reasons, neither Ruth nor I would take time to indulge in any spicy Cajun or exotic Creole food options so enamored by many New Orleans tourists during the course of these streetcar excursions.

Know as well that on the last day of our New Orleans vacation, a major highlight happened with my online purchase of two affordable tickets on Stub Hub at the last minute to experience “Leonid and Friends” in live concert at the House of Blues along busy Decatur Street. For upon being unexpectedly escorted to our seats that night in row one, less than ten feet from the stage, we enjoyed over three hours of masterful musical entertainment from one of our favorite horn bands.

As the winter holiday season approaches, I must end this blog with some timely human insight I experienced on this mini- vacation. For I notice a distinct, heartwarming spirit lingering in me upon reflecting back to our friendly encounters with such a diverse representation of people we met during our latest New Orleans vacation. For during street encounters with those being either male or female, black or white, affluent or poor, as well as young or old, I noticed a spirit of helpfulness and giving to all in this city that’s been so decimated by major hurricane disasters in recent years . May we be so fortunate to find a glimpse of such togetherness as we celebrate at home or away on this important American celebration in 2022. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

“ All flourishing is mutual ” (Robin Wall-Kimmerer)

Although Raymond normally looked forward to the upcoming Winter holidays, he seemed bothered about his recent decision to instead pursue a three month road trip vacation along the eastern banks of the Mississippi River region. For such a bold decision to journey elsewhere meant that this retired widower, who once prided himself on being a strong “family man”, would miss out on the joyous spirit of giving and receiving gifts and other holiday rituals at this festive time of year.

But frankly speaking, Raymond now tired of being “caught up” in the rut of such burdensome tasks as writing “Happy Holidays” cards and completing his long list of shopping and social obligations. So while this trip would be an honest test of his will to act as a more independent minded person, he’d also harbored doubts that such self – sufficiency could sustain itself over time. For there were some ” bottom line” indicators that Raymond ominously considered about this life change juncture such as how could he stretch the limits of his monthly budget plan to complete such a longer vacation and to what extent would he feel loneliness and social rejection upon neglecting his holiday commitments to others as normally expected. So with November approaching, Raymond’s introspective brooding intensified.

Fortunately Raymond found some insight about  how he could best resolve his current travel crisis in reflecting why he performed a kindness ritual of hand feeding whole peanuts to friendly squirrels perched along his front condo guardrail each day. For as he found success in gaining the trust of these small critters every morning by way of these warm- hearted feeding gestures, he similarly reasoned that by giving more kindness to himself under his present circumstances, he’d be more confident to proceed with what he soon planned to do.

Know then that in the ensuing days, Raymond booked a comfortable Air B&B apartment near Vicksburg, Mississippi, adjacent to the slow moving shores of America’s largest river. In choosing to stay more positive about himself away from home, each day he might be satisfied to just sit down for a spell, enjoy a little music,  savor the past, meditate some, or take a leisurely walk in this swampy wilderness to pass his time. But given his recurrent fears of being alone, now and then Raymond’s memories would revert back to those squirrel feeding times to suggest that he desperately needed to “reach out” in kindness to others as well beyond his own intensely private cocoon. He would thus begin an inquiry about places in town where he could meet and greet those in the local community and perhaps lend a hand to others as an eco- enthused volunteer. Who knows! The thought even crossed his mind then that he might find a fresh female companion to share new memories with him here.

Thus it came to be that during a chance meeting one day in mid November at a gas station, he encountered  “Old Man Ernie” a longtime local resident. Good fortune struck then when he obtained some tips from this stranger to check out an old fashioned, convenience store along Route 61 called “The Tomato Place.” So upon taking a first impression of the market’s nature shrouded entrance and adjoining botanical garden, Raymond curiously desired to take longer look inside the building. There he observed a unique combination of pleasing smells and sights of fresh produce and plant life taken from the surrounding land as well as took in an informal town gathering place filled with spirited holiday time conversation. 

Unsurprisingly a few days later, Raymond took the initiative to volunteer his services to the “Tomato Place” manager, who agreed that he could be helpful to his business through the remaining weeks of his vacation. So on most afternoons, Raymond found work as a friendly greeter for any customers browsing around the storage racks filled with fresh holiday fruits, vegetable goodies and other homemade products stocked in the store. When not busy with this task, one might have caught him instead showing off a creative shrub or flower set in the garden or perhaps doing some pet sitting at times for new neighbors and friends. Seeing no reason to look back at his past life, Raymond would now be determined to make this friendly place in Mississippi his second home for years to come.

It’s clear to me then that Raymond’s sudden change of life status suggests a reconsideration of how we might best engage in those simple acts of kindness toward ourselves and other beings as we approach 2022’s holiday period. Enjoy the photos of “Tomato Place in Vicksburg, Mississippi.”

“ A man growing old becomes a child again. “ (Sophocles)

At this more mature stage of his life, Jackson, a retired architect , recollected fond memories of his happy childhood growing up over fifty years ago as an only child in suburban neighborhoods near Akron, Ohio. He also realized his close family ties with two, hard working parents who professed faith in the “American Dream” which prophesied that while tough times lay ahead to raise a family on limited financial means, life would eventually turn out to be richer and fuller for everyone. So by virtue of inheriting such stubborn family optimism in times of crisis, Jackson reasoned that those current memories about his Ohio childhood would be clouded by more of the good than the bad he faced over these life formative years.

So with such self-bias in mind, Jackson knew “full well” why he had accepted a volunteer position at the Ohio History Center in Columbus a few days ago. For he deeply desired to re-experience how happy he once felt in a more  youthful time of life as he conducted scheduled morning tours for museum visitors at the exhibit titled aptly “1950s: Building The American Dream”. For during these daily rounds that he walked through the museum with such strangers each weekday, he recollected three consequential values that most contributed to his joyful experience of childhood life back then. Seemingly, nothing could stop Jackson from frequently framing such nostalgic daydreaming moments around each of these qualities he currently missed in his life right now.

1. Life Seemed Simpler

Picture a typical day in Jackson’s life then as a child when he seemed driven to seek free time without benefit of today’s complex Internet explosion and associated digital technology Revolution. So it seemed with a smaller range of choices to amuse himself in the 1950s, a simple yo- you, jump rope, or marble set could occupy his undivided attention sufficiently for a while. Or during those impatient evening waits for his mother to fix the family their TV dinners on a slow heating stove, he might turn on the black and white TV in their cozy living room whereby only two or three stations would be available to watch. After dinner, he might opt for more quiet leisure time in this section of the house by pulling out a trusty encyclopedia volume and thereupon plopping lazily on the sofa to read up on a famous biographical hero of his current liking. Perhaps when more privacy was needed, he would politely excuse himself to his small bedroom. For then he could feel free to put on a couple 45 r.p.m., rock n’ roll records on his “turntable” or perhaps settle into the slow pace of a Cleveland Indians ballgame on local AM radio.

2. A Neighborly Spirit Prevails

In Jackson’s tightly knit,  blue collar environs, everyone seemed amenable to trust and friendliness toward each other. For one, he no doubt noticed that residents often left their front doors open and unlocked. When venturing outside, he might also  have observed  how this amiable spirit continued during impromptu social gatherings. Perhaps an ice cream van would ding-dong along in the distance to announce its it’s tasty treats as neighbors patiently “chit -chatted” on front lawns awaiting the truck to turn on to their street. Or on any given sunny weekend, community “buzz” might spread beforehand that a picnic outing for all to share might be taking place soon in one family’s unfenced back yard. During holiday time as well, John no doubt recalled fond memories of friendly neighbors filling kids Halloween bags with candy, Christmas Carols being sung house to house and of course those “open house” feasts of food and spirits on New Year’s Eve.

3. Dare Oneself To Act Curiously 

Jackson grew up in the post World War II era of the “nuclear family”. Being thus a “latchkey” child victim of these times, his mother’s heavy housewife duties and his father’s long working hours left the likely scenario that they would not be able to give him much “quality time” with them at home. So how did he manage such a less scripted routine each day? In particular, how did he nurture his personal interests with out being “micromanaged” by meddling adult role models? You might say then in both cases he took some worthwhile risks of sheer adventure during this period that ordinarily he might never have attempted in a stricter family environment. Climb up the tallest Oak tree to to reach its highest limbs, proceed to the heights of the steepest hill for a  fast downhill sled ride, ignite flammable substances in a kitchen bottle to watch it amazingly explode, or fiddle with the buttons in the center console of a flashy parked car knowing full well that he would have no business sitting inside it. Fulfilling these curious desires in such ways was his “modus operandi” of these times.

By the way, Jackson wants to share with you today some of his favorite photos of this 1950s display that he savors each day at the Ohio History Museum 

“ Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition. Whether it be true or not, I can say for one that I have no other so great as that of being truly esteemed of my fellow men, by rendering myself worthy of their esteem.” ( Abraham Lincoln)

I’m a huge Civil War enthusiast so one might expect Abraham Lincoln would appeal to my interests greatly during our road trip travels. So I scheduled Springfield, Illinois, the home of “Honest Abe” from 1837-1861 as a two night stopover on our most current adventure this week. In the past,  I’ve experienced the thrill of retracing the steps of Abraham’s life around his former home and surrounding neighborhood at 8th and Jackson Street near downtown Springfield.        

 I’ve also taken an “up close” look at Mr. Lincoln through photo tours of his restored, former law offices where he walked to and from for many years while litigating court cases for the entire state of Illinois around 6th and Adams Street. Yet as the weather began to turn blustery cold with heavy rain, we felt it an opportune time to stay indoors and concentrate our time visiting the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum instead on the second morning of our visit.

So with a  very busy schedule on our Tuesday docket, we began our day with a “retro” return to the 1950s past with some early rock n’ roll and greasy, fast food breakfasting along Springfield’s Route 66 corridor at Charley Parker’s Diner. Driving then to a conveniently designated parking lot downtown, we then easily managed to  dodge the pelting rain by walking through the undercover canopy of historic Union Station across the street to the Lincoln Museum. On a more seasonably dry day, I would have taken more time to explore this historic depot that most prominently served as the site where newly elected President Lincoln left Springfield for Washington D.C. on February 11, 1861 and posthumously returned home on April 14, 1865 for his ceremonial burial.

Entering the vast lobby of the museum itself, my attention immediately fixated on a lifelike, wax model depiction of the Lincoln family including Abe, wife Mary Todd and their four children. This stirring monument marked the beginning of a two hour, “state of the art” tour covering Mr. Lincoln’s iconic legacy of key time junctures  in his  life through engaging “surround sound” theaters, captivating photographs, and original artifact display memorabilia.

The first of these visiting strands that particularly caught my interest  took place at  the Union Theater, whereby I took an unique look at an aging Lincoln face from an artist’s perspective which according to this expert revealed an intriguing contrast of both sadness and joy. Thus it seemed difficult for me to know the kind of person Abraham truly represented during his political life of fame. Moving on to the “Journey Two” corridor I examined the stressful four years of Mr. Lincoln’s Presidency when he experienced the seemingly unending struggle of upholding the integrity of his beliefs to bring forth a successful end to the long Civil War while in contrast being subject to so many cruel attacks by political and personal foes to undermine his administration. His original writings that produced his famed Gettysburg Address and Emancipation Proclamation as well as an alleged death mask molded on Lincoln’s face a few months before he was assassinated on April seemed notably interesting in this regard as well. 

Moving backward in time, a much calmer depiction of Lincoln’s early life took place at the “Journey Two” section as I observed Abe’s amazing transformation from poor log cabin conditions in rural Indiana and Kentucky to the growing city environment of Springfield, Illinois where he exhibited gifted intellect, superior storytelling skills and ultimately became a political winner on the Illinois campaign trail.

Perhaps the “larger than life”legend of Abraham Lincoln could best be depicted for me as we concluded our Springfield visit on Tuesday at the towering presence of Lincoln’s Tomb interring him and his family. Located on a quiet hill overlooking old, antebellum residential streets of Springfield, this honorably final resting place for the Lincoln spirit preserves fond memories of who I believe will be acknowledged  as America’s greatest President for many generations to come. Enjoy the photos.

“ Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” (George Santayana)

It’s my sincere belief that the primary responsibility of a historian would be to retell the story of the past in the most truthful and thus unbiased way possible. So I am quite sensitive to today’s controversy in my home state of Florida for example where many teachers claim that new state course guidelines in Civics Education pressure them to downplay such controversial subjects as slavery, racism, and other human rights abuses inflicted on others in the past. Know that I personally experienced this challenge to avoid “stirring the pot” of controversy as a past history teacher in the racially tense setting of inner city Miami with a recent history of violent black community resistance to white majority rule.That meant that some school administrators would covertly persuade novice white teachers like myself to skip talking about race in their Civil War instruction and similarly “tread lightly” on the topic of the racially induced Civil Rights movement in late 1960s America as well. For professional advancement reasons, I simply sanitized my lessons accordingly as I was told.

So you might say I’m noticeably sensitive to those occasions when I encounter human rights abuses both home and abroad as I pursue life these days as an independent traveler. Witness as an illustration the surprising road trip discovery last week of Amache Reservation’s historic remnants as we passed along a lightly traveled back road in Eastern Colorado. For during our curious stop there to just briefly look around, I learned from a series of historic markers there that Amache once served as a holding grounds for 10,000 people of Japanese descent during World War II who were forced to leave their homes and ultimately be housed in isolation behind barb wire fences in this remote camp facility throughout the duration of this conflict. Further examination of these signs revealed that such an egregious display of racial prejudice against these men, women, and children, most of which who were predominately American citizens, resulted in unsanitary, crowded living conditions and widespread loss of basic civil liberties throughout this long course of their confinement.

As the following photo set reveals, I saw very little authentic proof of Amache Reservation’s infamous past that day. For only the barren steppe grounds, aging fence barriers, a few concrete buildings and unpaved dusty roads remain today on the Amache Reservation to mark the horrible tragedy that these innocent Japanese people endured. Yet I might say that my most enduring memory of this visit to Amache happened at the end of this visit at an obscure Honor Roll Monument paying somber remembrance to these undeserved Japanese victims of war. For it’s quite clear now that it made little sense for me to stand proudly amid such a travesty of injustice as an American citizen that day.

No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face.”(John Donne)

I definitely struck it rich on our five night visit to Steamboat Springs, Colorado on this October 2022 roadtrip. For it was a huge deal for me in witnessing the exciting unfolding of Autumn in the Rocky Mountains this time of year instead of laboring in the subtropical absence of seasons in South Florida where I now live. I might further elaborate that my current euphoria about experiencing Colorado Autumn now seems to resonate in me as a strong appreciation of being alive. For I’ve look forward on this vacation to seeing, hearing, and touching such a stunning landscape explosion in Rockies autumn of orange, red, and yellow as dying leaves naturally fall away to the ground in a swirling mass around me.

In retrospect, how easy it thus seemed to reflect deeply in those latest Colorado vacation moments about my Autumn childhood days in Northeast Ohio when I would normally leap into a fat pile of leaves or hide under them in peekaboo fashion under in the spirit of free play. Of further note, I’ve no doubt exalted in my existential ways in knowing that the natural course of change embedded in this current Colorado Autumn season reminds me to stay mentally and physically strong in my current life while it lasts in the best way possible.

So it became my number one goal in Steamboat this week to just simply get outdoors there to savor the colorful leaf cover whenever and wherever possible. To do so most easily, I first made it a habit to step out onto our rental apartment patio a few times each day to simply witness a towering mountainside vista in the distance enveloped in a shining canopy of orange. Fortunately, I would also ambitiously find three more inviting settings on our Steamboat stopover that would more fully satisfy my Autumn obsession.

Going south along relatively flat highway 131 to the town tiny of Yampa during the first of these excursions, I was able to spot Autumn’s colorful bliss of leaf change along this desolate road in notable contrast to the dull brown look of the desert like surroundings here. Turning onto an unpaved road in Yampa, I further recall ending this southerly tour with another blast of widespread leaf falling sensation as we relaxed at a small rest area for awhile. The next morning, a second outing of Autumn’s importance for me took place as we meandered north from Steamboat, through cattle country along Route 129 to higher elevations above 8,000 feet then below Mount Hahn. Feeling alone then amid such Rockies silence, we took our time to savor the unfolding panorama of rugged forests changing color during our picnic lunch at picturesque Steamboat Lake State Park. Feeling energized for a followup round of Autumn bliss that afternoon, we then drove back to downtown where our third adventure of this Colorado vacation took place with a gentle hike amid dense leaf fallings to obtain a clear view of famed Fish Creek Falls. The photo set below captures some eye catching moments I experienced during each of these outdoor viewings in the order I described them above.

So I invite you to dig deeper into your soul and savor something of value that this year’s season of Autumn change brings to you. As for me, I include the funny video below to summarize such jubilation for Autumn I’ve felt in Colorado this week. Just tap the picture.