Time for the transition

This past week I saw my oldest son graduate from his pre-school program, and dealt with a barrage of “why” as I tried to break down why he couldn’t go straight to kindergarten the next day. He has yet to grasp this concept of summer vacation, and I only hope his love for school holds out longer than it did his father’s — I lost it around third grade.

For those students who recognize what we’re on the cusp of, it can mean a switch from learning to lounging or, in some cases, working through the summer. It’s also a time teachers might think, with a laugh, “Tag, you’re it!” to the parents.

There are other transitions happening around town as well. We might actually be seeing signs of an ideal late spring/early summer (knock on wood), after the majority of the past couple months have been wet and cold. That weather isn’t without it’s disadvantages, however. It’s easy to focus on the changes happening to our canyon, but take a look at how it’s also made the greenery pop off the red dirt and rocks.

However, I think we’ve all had just about enough rain and snow to last us at least a couple months. I’m not saying it needs to totally go away, but maybe dial back the tap a bit Mother Nature.

It’s also transition time for the town of Thermopolis, as we gear up for that fifth season — tourist. Already the number of vehicles with plates from outside the county and state are increasing, and will continue to do so well into August and September, after school has resumed and the cooler weather is again banging on our door.