Back in the days before Google
– possibly before
Travel Agencies
– I don’t know.
It hadn’t dawned on either of us
to
find a travel agency. I
don’t recall what grade I was in
– I’m guessing fourth.
The
students had been assigned to
make
posters of any state of his
or
her own choosing.
I
had narrowed my selections down to
Hawaii,
Alaska and Colorado.
My
mom helped me with the wording and
addressing
the envelopes.
I
think we sent my plea to the capital city at
each
address.
We
probably had to go to
the
library to look it up
– though I don’t know where
exactly.
The
internet did not
exist
at that time.
I
believe I had introduced myself as
a
student at East Midvale Elementary in
Midvale,
Utah and I was
hoping
to get some information for
an
assignment I was doing.
The
state of Hawaii was first to respond.
I
received brochures so many pictures to
go
along with my inquiries.
I
finished my poster several weeks before
the
due date.
With
only one week left before
our
due date (I think we had
been
told five or six weeks in advance)
I
heard from Alaska.
Not
quite as many pictures but
enough
to make another poster.
I
asked if I could make another and
was
given permission for extra credit.
Two
months after the due date I
received
a lone pamphlet from Colorado.
No
included pictures. What’s up with
that?
The
state of Colorado shares a
border
with Utah.
I
would think their response would have
come
a lot quicker.
I
was most unimpressed.
Over
the years I decided
Colorado
meant delay.
It
didn’t matter the
service.
Mail,
bus lines, airline connections or
what
have you.
There
was ALWAYS
a
delay.
I
personally had not viewed
a
single exception.
I
don’t know what
the status is today.
It
seems so long ago since
I
sent anything or traveled myself
through
Colorado.
Pretty
state.
Always
ran late in my mind.
