Outer Beauty

Every year, in early summer, while driving on I-95 through New Haven, a small traveling carnival appears. The highway runs elevated through the city, and they set up in a lot just below, off the northbound side. Every time we pass, my daughter lights up at the sight of the rides, especially the ferris wheel, glowing with thousands of colorful bulbs. Sometimes, if the windows are down, we can even hear the music drifting up. She never asks to stop; she just loves seeing it from the road, and honestly, so do I. There’s something perfect about experiencing a carnival from a distance, just catching that glimpse as you drive by. It feels like a little pocket of magic, like when you see unexplained fireworks off on the horizon. It lets us know summer has arrived.

Over the years, I’ve been to a few carnivals, but I’ve never enjoyed them. I’m not a fan of rides, especially the kind that can be set up in a single day. The food is always disappointing, even the things I usually love. And while it might seem odd coming from someone who’s chosen to live in one of the most densely populated cities in the world, I don’t like crowds. Also, I don’t like standing in line, especially for things I don’t want to do or things I don’t want to eat.

Wishing everyone a great start to summer. If you're looking for me, I’ll be the one appreciating the carnival, or the amusement park, or the fair, from afar.

Thanks, Travis

While writing this I was listening to: