Mark Twain wrote, “Travel is fatal to prejuidce, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
Last week, my family and I had the opportunity for a fast and furious road trip that landed us in Arizona.
We took our daughter out of school for a couple of days and traveled the country. She learned skills like reading a map for mileage, how to navigate the country, and meeting different cultures of people.
We stopped at Gladstone, NM and visited a town that had a population of five people.
We drove in stop and go traffic, and busy interstates.
We hiked through two national parks and learned about cacti and wildlife.
I would add to Twain’s quote that travel also helps me appreciate what I have where I live as well.
As we were visiting with locals we learned this was their first year back to in-person school.
They have spent the last two years doing school virtually. My heart stopped. We were out for eight weeks total.
Their county fair was virtual as well. It reminded me of the beauty of our small town.
As we researched national parks in New Mexico, we saw backcountry camping was not open due to the reopening from COVID. If you don’t know, backcountry camping is great because there are only a few spots available, the campsites are outdoors, and far away from anyone.
When we returned home we were exhausted but happy. We took the long way around to see new country, built memories together, laughed, had some disagreements, and I saw where small town life had changed me.
I grew up in bumper to bumper traffic, people honking and screaming at each other, etc.
It was nothing to me.
But now, years later, driving on the interstate terrified me. I suddenly realized how much I had changed. I didn’t love that part. But I also discovered the news we are fed daily often makes me afraid of bigger cities and people.
Seeing different cultures and meeting new people reminded me that people are basically good and kind.
It seems the news we watch tends to divide us and makes us afraid. And sharing that education with our daughter was priceless.
Getting out of town is a wonderful opportunity. Returning home is great too!
And gratitude for those who helped us with our animals!
On our trip, I put my phone away. I focused on the beauty of my family, what an incredible gift this time was, how blessed I am, and that family is the most important thing.
Last year I chose staying home and working on the county fair insert instead of camping with my husband and daughter.
I chose work over family. And I feel like I paid for it.
As we hiked through the White Sands National Park, hometown news came in that was important to cover. But I took a breath and decided it would have to wait because these memories are few and far between. Balance is everything.
So this year, if we get the oppportunity to get away or camp again, the insert will come a week late.
The only wish I had was that we had more time.
Time is the gift. How are we using it?
We didn’t make it to Cheyenne last weekend. Weather and family coming in caused us to rethink our decision. I admit I had my heart set on it and it stung a bit. But it was the right choice for us. The hardest part was the back and forth of “do we go, do we not... [More]
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Head coach Steve Navarro said, “The coaching staff has really enjoyed working with this group of kids this year. They have been putting in hard work despite some less than stellar conditions for practice and meets. We are excited to see what they can do now that we are... [More]
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Boarders Inn & Suites photo - Pictured from Top Left to Right - Francisco Orta, Albani Dowell, Areia Bustillos, Saraya Lewis, Shauna Valentine, Mayra Orta, Maria Orta, Judy Nielsen
Bottom - Left to Right Brandon Herrera, Yadira Portillo, Ximena Portillo, Alexis Worsley Not pictured - Rebekah Seal, Erica Salgado/photos by Michele Boy
Wheatland Electric photo - Shajia Donecker, social media specialist; Alli Conine, director of member services & corporate communications; Nicole Semenko, payroll specialist; Bruce W. Mueller, general manager; Rick Klaus, director of operations; and Kyle Strickert, manager of substations and metering, accept the 2023 Apprenticeship Champions and Partners Award from Lt. Governor David Toland (center) at the Kansas Business Awards on Oct. 12, 2023, in Wichita.
Dream First Bank photo - Pictured L to R - Roxanne Emmerich, Chair and Founder of The Institute for Extraordinary Banking™ï¸ and Dream First Bank President and CEO Chris Floyd at the Banky Awards Event
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Everett “Butch” Buchanan A mass of Christian burial for longtime Granada, Colorado resident, Everett Buchanan, affectionately known to his family and friends as Butch will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, November 29, 2023... [More]
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A Mass of Christian burial for longtime Granada resident, Martina Pena was held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at the St. Francis de Sales/Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Lamar with Reverend Kenny Joe Parlingayan’s.s.s.... [More]
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Chad Allen Myers, 51, Spring Hill, Kansas passed away Saturday, October 28, 2023. Visitation will be 3:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. Monday, November 6, 2023 with a Celebration Of Life at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 7, 2023 both at Spring HillUnited Methodist Church, 112 E. Nichols Street,... [More]
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