Imagination, Strawberry the Doll and Ruby Jewel

Bockman Campground. Sunday morning, August 12, 2007.

IMAGINATION

Across from our campsite was a large group that consisted of more than one family. Probably all related to one another. There were several kids varying in age. Merle first brought to my attention a little boy of about 6 years of age wandering somewhat aimlessly around in a field of grass and flowers next to the family campsite. He was in a world of his own. Waving his arms, muttering and occasionally making sounds like a motor, we could only vaguely guess what was going on in his little head.

Merle said, "Remember when you were a kid and you imagined all kinds of things? What happens to us as we get older, where does our childlike imagination go?" We pondered this for a minute.

I said, "I think that when we are kids, there are no boundaries. We are relatively free without a lot of responsibility to inhibit and crowd our minds. It is the growing responsibility that comes as we get older, the realization of expectations of adult behaviour and the structure of education and the workplace that we sometimes allow to limit our imaginations." (This is essentially what I said but not as aptly spoken.)

So, can we still think like children even when we are adults? Absolutely, if we want and CHOOSE to, and maybe even imagine better because our life experiences can enhance our imaginative thinking and give it richness. Look at people who write fantasy literature, fantastic screenplays, design "The Lord of the Rings" sets and characters or people who sculpt and paint from the heart. They take the basic imaginative recipe and add their own special ingredients that make it very unique. Of course, not every occupation is one that encourages one to use their imagination, but outside of work, anyone can develop some type of creative hobby.

STRAWBERRY the DOLL

She was about 3 years old and very tiny. We watched her occasionally walk by, usually with her mother. Her little feet were encased in tiny Crocs (our favorite Colorado shoes), her black page boy haircut swinging slightly forward against her chubby cheeks with each step.
"Mom, where's Strawberry?", her little voice carried across the road to our campsite where we sat drinking coffee by the fire.

Mom, who was walking ahead of her, speaking to someone offstage, said, "Bring Strawberry here".

We did not get to see Strawberry, as any further action took place somewhere behind Merle's Wrangler parked in the campsite drive. But even though we did not get to see Strawberry, we knew she would be a well used and much loved dolly because anyone who would name their doll Strawberry would be like that....

http://www.crocs.com/

RUBY JEWEL

On Saturday we drove up a 4WD road to the trail head for Ruby Jewel Lake. It was only a 1-1/2 mile hike, but turned out to be a little strenuous due to the rocky terrain and the high altitude. We ended up above timberline. Ruby Jewel was nestled, like so many mountain lakes, in a crater-like area. The trail was very beautiful and varied, starting in a forest next to a stream with waterfalls and then progressed upward where we traversed trails in old and stable rock slide areas. Then we reached the alpine tundra with no trees, but with abundant, low to the ground and lush vegetation. The air was cool, the clouds were white in the blue sky all the way to the horizon. Here's Merle at the lake and another picture I took from our campsite. The lake was in the depression between the two mountaintops pictured.

The drive home from our trip was very enjoyable with the top down on the Wrangler and some nice clouds to keep things at a pleasant temperature. Nice, until we were about 15 minutes from home and then the blast of heat hit us. At home, the temperature was around 100 degrees, making us very glad that we had headed to the high country for the weekend where the highest day time temperature was around 75 F.

That's all for now.

Along one upper wall in our camper.