July 15 and ‘the greatest outdoor show on earth’ is over. I mean is it? The greatest outdoor show on earth?? I sort of think the Rocky Mountains are the greatest outdoor show on earth. Or the northern lights. Or the place where two oceans meet. Or an African safari. Anyway, it’s over for another year. And it seems a sort of calm peacefulness has settled over the city. I’m glad they do it in the first half of July so we can have the rest of the summer to …summer. And enjoy a slower energy.
We were a little more involved in the Stampede this year because my daughter was part of a floral event that was held on the grounds. So that meant driving down to the stampede grounds several times to set up and design, to replenish and to tear down. I accompanied her to one of the replenishments and to the tear down. Plus we had family in the city during Stampede so we went to the grandstand show one evening. When in Rome…. I hadn’t been for many years and it was surprisingly…fun? Interesting? Just being in that Stampede culture, that totally isn’t me in any way, was an experience. The heart attack food. The scary, weird rides. The country music (which I have always considered to be an oxymoron). The chuckwagon races were entertaining. The floral displays added a touch of class to the whole thing. The grandstand show…so, so. The drone show and the fireworks were the piece de resistance. And the mood on the exhibition grounds after midnight is a total different vibe than it is during the day. With everything winding down and no line ups. Lights flashing and faint music still playing in the background. Carnival music.
But the entire city is affected by this great outdoor show. The whole city is abuzz with pancake breakfasts (we went to a couple – it’s a great way to feed your house guests breakfast), and country music, and cowboy boots and the most outlandish outfits that people think are justified just because it’s stampede. The traffic is crazier. The tourists more plentiful. The smell of greasy food, beer, horse manure and exhaust permeate the air.
By the time the stampede is over, I sort of feel like – cowboys go home. I want to enjoy the good old summertime in peace. I realize I’m probably a minority. Most people love the stampede…I think. But I just want good old ‘English tea in the afternoon in the garden’ type of peace. That’s more my thing. Or to wake up by a large body of water and watch the ripples and waves. To scavenger for sea shells. To eat delicate food at quaint outdoor cafes. To find a park and read a book while I listen to the birds and leaves swaying in the wind. To stroll along a river and breathe in some fresh air. To be intoxicated with the scent of fresh flowers growing along my walking path. A drive to the mountains. That kind of thing. And so that begins for me…today. A slower pace of life and energy. For the rest of the summer.
The Red Plaid Apron 