Yesterday morning, taken up in a blaze of compulsion, Carolyn and I decided to have a family adventure. We resolved to take son and daughter to the annual Palisade Peach Festival. To my friend (you know who you are), it had absolutely, positively nothing to do with your constant barrage of hyper links that were pointing me to the PeachFest—okay, okay, maybe just a little.
Now, because this was an impulse decision, we made no plans and did no research regarding locations or times. We simply packed the kids up in the back of the car and pointed the battered Ford towards Palisade. When we arrived at the Palisade Community Center, the area was oddly empty of pretty much everything except for a handful of young kids skating on what looked like newly installed ramps and pipes. Of course, I’ve not been to Palisade in some time.
Despite the quiet and desolate nature of the park, a door to the building had been left open as a suggestion that someone might be lingering within, and so I decided to explore in search of the correct location for the festival. As I entered the building it became very obvious that it was mostly empty. Only one room had a light switched on, and inside were an array of tables and displays. Clearly, something was going to take place there and I had a hunch that it was probably peach related.
As I entered the room I realized that there was only one person there, a woman who was busy setting things out for display and checking the overall aesthetics of the room. I announced my presence with a friendly Hello! She stopped, turned, and returned the greeting. I queried her as to the time and location for the festival and she informed me that it was scheduled to open just down the road at the Riverbend Park, roughly one hour from what was then the present.
As she spoke, I realized that I was speaking with something of a local celebrity. At least, I think it was. I didn’t ask her if her name was Dixie Burmeister, but she looked like Dixie, and her voice sounded like Dixie’s. Dixie is known in Western Colorado, and perhaps in other areas of this region, for her appearances in City Market commercials. City Market is a regional grocery chain that I believe is owned by Kroger. Anyway, she does other things as well, and can be seen on any given week on a television set somewhere in the valley. I’ve even seen her do some cooking shows, though I don’t know whether it was syndicated or something that was produced for a special occasion, or what.
Anyway, after departing the building I pointed my Ford back towards Clifton, but only for as long as it would take to reach the Riverbend Park access road. On this leg of the trip I was bragging about my brush with fame, but my wife seemed none too impressed. I guess she has no appreciation for local celebrity. I suppose she’s probably not alone; it is for this reason that I pity our local sportscasters and weathermen.
When we arrived at the park it became obvious that the PeachFest had quite a following. I’ve been only once before, many years ago. This year it was much larger than I remember. We parked some distance from the entrance, which was only an issue because it meant that we had to push two strollers down a gravel road. If you’ve never attempted this, try it the next time that you feel you deserve some punishment. Despite our stroller pushing dilemma, Hunter was enthusiastic. He adeptly adjusted his cap to allow for maximum effect.
One thing that Carolyn and I both locked onto right away was the fact that there was a booth set up for pony rides. Already at age 2 our daughter Payton is a serious book hound, with a chest full of Dr. Seuss, Berenstain Bears, Muppet Babies, and other children’s books. One of her favorite series are her My Little Pony books. When she wants to read one of them, she announces with glee, “Pony!” So we knew for sure we had a way to entertain her.
Hunter maintained his cool pretty well considering that he was too small to enjoy any of the activity booths that littered the outskirts of the festival. We saw everything from bungee jumping on a trampoline—called Euro-Jump or something similar—to rock climbing.
All in all we had a pretty good time. The festivities were cut short though when Payton, who had seemed so excited to go inside an inflatable maze and slide, became very frightened upon realizing that she had entered alone. Apparently the anxiety of being separated form Mom and Dad was just too much for her at that time. It was pretty warm out though, so to be fair she probably was getting a bit sleepy.
To recap, yesterday I met a celebrity, had the fortune of being there for my daughter’s first pony ride, and otherwise enjoyed the day with my beautiful family. Sometimes, it seems, things just go right. Yesterday’s family adventure was one of those events that just seemed to lift up everyone involved.
Take care, readers!
JMK
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