Omayra Acevedo, Colorado Rocky Mountains. Every culture that I have been introduced to believes that their language is one of the most difficult to learn. Take it from someone whose first language is Spanish, and has learned English, Dutch and American Sign Language; they are all correct. Anytime you begin experiencing something new, it can be challenging. 

What makes it less challenging is the amount of commitment and passion you put into it. This is what makes our education so invaluable. I’ve said it before in my fitness articles, but I’ll say it again here. Without challenge there is no change. How can we expect ourselves to evolve into a better version without obstacles? I began thinking of this as I sat at the Silver Dollar Saloon in Leadville, Colorado. 

The saloon is a tale as old as time. They claim that stepping into the saloon is like stepping into the past. I agree. Many parts of the construction are original pieces. When you walk inside, you can see the original bar on the right side. It was designed as a walk-up bar only. Much of the structure came from the Brunswick Company in St. Louis, Missouri, and it all arrived by train or covered wagon. The two booths you will notice at the bar were the actual seats on the train. The fun facts don’t end there.

Shortly after the gun fight at the OK Corral, in Tombstone, Arizona, Doc Holiday moved to Leadville. He, along with many other historical figures, like the Unsinkable Molly Brown, from the Titanic, were frequent visitors at the saloon. According to some employees and patrons of the Silver Dollar, you may still catch a glimpse of history’s influential figures running around the building. After paying my tab and exiting the saloon, I couldn’t help but wonder if I had been sitting in the same area as Doc Holiday sat in many years ago. How exciting!

I also began to think about the way they spoke in the 1800s. It made me realize that for countless centuries, language has served as an unrecognizable witness to history and transformation. Not just in the written word, but in its progress. For example, the electronic telegraph, which would be the 19th century equivalent of the internet. When and how language developed is impossible to say. Nevertheless, whether it’s another language you’re learning, a bit of history you’re experiencing, or a simple pleasure you’re partaking in, make sure to make every second count. For every moment we spend evolving, we are creating history. And in my humble opinion, it should be legendary!

(Originally published in the January 7, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)