Cruisin’ into the future

It’s fitting that we hold elections at this time of year (and no, this is not going to be a blog about who anyone should vote for) given that it’s a change of seasons. In my corner of the prairie we’re expecting a rain/snow mix this evening and if it’s more snow than rain it will be our first meaningful dose of the white stuff since the Spring which seems an eternity ago. Gone (just a few days ago actually) are the warm days with highs in the 80’s though I hear some parts of the country are experiencing abnormally high temps still.  We just came back from the East coast a week or so ago and we had very pleasant weather to the point that the changing of the leaves was far behind normal. In fact, we went back specifically to see the Fall leaves and though we saw some beautiful color the farther North we went it was surprising that when we got home to Colorado the leaf color show was more spectacular here than back East. In the High Country of the Rockies it’s mostly brilliant yellows on the Aspen but in the city there’s enough of a mix of trees that we get reds and golds in abundance as well. 

How’s your Fall going? Did you remember to change your clocks back last night? As I write this its pitch black outside whereas yesterday at this time (pre-time change) I was being treated to a beautiful sunset that more than complemented the colors on the trees. I mentioned its a change of the season and one that I’m looking forward to more than most is that two days from now it will be the end of campaign ad season. One of the local news anchors the other night was apologizing for the number and repetitiveness of ads but I also know the TV stations make a lot of money from such ads and this year they must be making an absolute fortune. I’m a registered Independent which means I’ve been getting hit from all sides soliciting my vote even though I cast my ballot as fast as I could after receiving my ballot by mail. I don’t quite comprehend how, at this late stage, anyone can truly still be undecided but apparently our destiny lies to some great extent in the hands of folks who can’t seem to make up their minds.

We were out with friends today and went to visit Buffalo Bill’s Grave high up on Lookout Mountain overlooking Denver. There’s a small restaurant, gift shop and museum as well and apparently the restaurant and gift shop will be closing by year end after many decades catering to tourists and locals alike hankering for some good food and great views. I don’t frequent graves, cemeteries, and the like, even though it was just All Hallows Eve, but when I do I often wonder what the folks buried there would make of the world we’ve made for ourselves. If they are truly resting in peace perhaps they would shake their heads and wonder what the heck is going on. I for one would be hard pressed to give them a meaningful answer.

Those of us on this side of the daisies have to keep on keeping on. Hope springs eternal and all that. I do believe that next Tuesday, regardless of who wins, the world as we know it will fundamentally change. And I hope it changes for the better. After all, it is a season of change.

I mentioned we had just returned from the East Coast. Part of my wife’s and my effort at keep on keeping on includes trying to take advantage of opportunities to see and do new things. My wife was born on the West coast and hasn’t had much chance to spend time back East.So when she found a great deal on a Fall Foliage Cruise from Boston through the Canadian Maritime Provinces and finishing in Quebec City we jumped on it. It was a wonderful trip aboard the Emerald Princess and I’ll share two videos below that give a glimpse of what this type of cruise looks like. It was very different from any other cruise we had been on and when we booked it we really had no clear idea on what to expect. 

So, if you’re in the Colorado area make yourself a hot chocolate, snuggle up on the couch while the flakes fall outside and take a trip to places you may know nothing about but, as we quickly found out, were well worth a visit!

Here is the first of two videos detailing our Fall Foliage Cruise:

And here is the second of the two videos continuing our journey through the Canadian Maritime Provinces  and Quebec:

Enjoy!