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In Mountain and Meadow - Life Cowboy Bar ~ August 20, 2004 |
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Most people would call me a loner, as evidenced of my preference to backpack alone in wilderness. One's life is not always easily categorized though. I also crave human companionship in the time between trips, particularly of the female type. The night after I hiked out of Smith Basin in the Wind Rivers, I stayed at a campground near Jackson, and dropped into the dance hall to check out the live band, harbouring a hope that I could find a two step partner to liven up my vacation. The bar was busy, mostly with tourists and bikers on their way to Sturgess, it being the first week of August. Unfortunately the dance floor area was pretty dead, but it was still early. I bought a beer and leaned against a post, content to watch the couples on the dance floor and relax. Some time later the band started up a medley of country songs, starting with Orange Blossom Special. Now it is just not in my nature to sit out during that kind of music, even if it is not easy to find a dance partner. Many ladies hear the fast beat and are not sure they can dance to it, or are afraid of making a fool of themselves, and turn me down. Once in a while I find a fun-loving lady who loves to two-step as much as me, which makes for a memorable time. (although I have had to ask five or six ladies to get to her). On this night I was lucky. I approached a nice looking brunette that had been learning a line dance from someone. She looked confused when I asked her to dance, which I figured was because of the loud music. I put my left arm on her shoulder and my right around her waist, and she got the message, and we were off. This woman was a great dancer - light on her feet, easily following my leads and spins. At times when I was not watching the other couples to avoid collisions, our eyes would meet. That is what you remember - the glistening of pleasure and happiness, dancing in step together and to the music, cooperation and beauty. It seems to me right then that everything is pretty much right in the world. The band switched from Orange Blossom Special into Rawhide, and we continued on. I asked her something and there was that confused look on her face again, which is when she said " I don't understand. Do you speak french?. It dawned on me she was on vacation also, and had travelled a heck of a lot further than I had - across an ocean and a continent to end up at the Cowboy Bar on August 3, 2004. The language barrier didn't prevent us from having a heck of a good time that night, however. |
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