Omayra Acevedo, Peak to Peak. “Don’t you write for the paper?” I can’t tell you the countless times that I introduce myself to someone and almost always, they ask me this very question. Is it a good thing they’ve recognized who I am? Or should I tuck my tail between my legs and go hide? Being the optimist that I am, I choose to see it as a compliment and humbling experience when someone recognizes my name or my work.

My last encounter of this sort was not that long ago.  The gentleman was so intrigued, I felt like I was being interviewed. He asked questions like, have you written a book? Will you write a book? If so, what type? What’s your next column about? How do you choose your topics? For the first time since my last writer’s block episode, I wasn’t sure what to say. As a matter of fact, I think I chuckled more than I spoke.

When I got home, I walked through the door, fed my critters, sat at the PC and inhaled. What shall we explore this week? Hot air balloons! Why? Because my experience earlier made me feel like I wanted to fly.  With an exhale, my fingers began to move across the keyboard like a piano player composing his/her next piece. 

Did you know that in Colorado there are roughly 20 hot air balloon adventures you can go on? From sunrise to sunset rides, some that take you over nearby states; a few of them help you plan things like proposals, anniversaries, birthdays and everything in between. Early one morning, I was driving towards Longmont, and I as glanced up I saw the most incredible sight. About a dozen hot air balloons were floating in the air. The sky was a brilliant blue and the clouds helped create the perfect silhouettes. 

I pulled over to take a photo and sat there for several minutes. I imagined myself in one of them. What would the world look like? Would I spot my favorite places in Colorado, maybe my house or wildlife? The balloons didn’t turn much, but I could see subtle movements that to me, were an intricate dance between man and nature. I wanted to fly so badly. Hot air balloon festivals are fun too. I went to one in Europe. It’s incredible how far they can travel. You can find hot air balloon rides anywhere across the state: Hartsel, Colorado Springs, Lafayette, Aspen and even Denver. 

Perhaps, it was the way he spoke or the way his eyes lit up, but with a grin from ear to ear, appreciation in my heart and excitement in my soul, I said, “why yes, I do write for the paper.”

(Originally published in the January 30, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)