A month ago, on August 16th, we drove home to Sanpete from Leadville, Colorado.  We had been at the Leadville 100 Mountain Bike “Race Across the Sky.”  They call it that because of the high elevation of the 104 mile course of the race.  We had a son, a daughter, and a granddaughter in the race.

   Leadville, nicknamed “Cloud City” – and also “Two Mile High City” –  is situated at 10,158 feet above sea level.  The race goes up and down, but reaches elevations of close to 12,600 feet.  (Utah’s highest mountain, located in the Uinta Mountains, in Duchesne County,  is Kings Peak at 13,528 feet.)

   For comparison purposes, the highest mountain peak in the Wasatch Mountain range, which Sanpeters see near Nephi, is Mt. Nebo at 11,933 feet.   Mt. Timpanogos, the huge peak above the Provo/Orem metroplex,  is second highest in the Wasatch,  at 11,752 feet.

   When I was dating the girl who  is now my wife, we hiked Timp.  As we were approaching the summit,  I got hit with a wave of altitude sickness.

   Being so close to the top, I was determined not to give up on “summiting.”  So I rested, ate part of a sandwich, drank something, and had Diane stroke my hair and say “you poor, poor thing” to me over and over.

   (There may be one part of that which may not be completely true.  But that part came to my mind; and it’s a scene from the play/movie “Harvey” which I’ve decided I’ll refer to here later.  Stick with me.)

   Anyway, I “resurrected” and made a Mt. Everest conquest-like ascent to the top of Timp.  I haven’t been back since, but keep thinking I will someday.  Of course, I haven’t yet been to the big block letter “Y” on Y Mountain above BYU in Provo. And I graduated from “The Y” – so there’s that.

   As interesting as all that information has been (at least for me), that’s not really the topic for this column.  I’m going to attempt (underline attempt) to get to that topic now.

   Heading home from Leadville, we passed through the town of Minturn, not far from Vail, Colorado and close to Interstate 70.  It’s a very scenic little town in a narrow canyon with the Eagle River running through it.  The population is about 1,000.

   As we drove through this time, we noticed a sign with an arrow indicating the way to go to the cemetery.  Being fans of wandering cemeteries, we naturally decided to stop in.  It is a beautiful, well maintained,  little cemetery on a gentle hillside.  It even has a mausoleum and a nice set of restrooms with flush toilets.

   The cemetery had many interesting headstones with nice sentiments inscribed on them.  I texted other family members who were traveling home with the message  that we were exploring the cemetery.

   My son texted and asked, “Do you know anyone in that cemetery?”  I playfully replied that I thought I knew a guy who had a big guitar etched on his headstone.  The inscription on the back of the stone read, “If the House is Rockin’ – Don’t Bother Knockin'”  I assumed that he liked his music loud – or something like that.

   Now, I’m arriving at the topic.  Whew!

   I was impressed with the headstone of Thomas and Bonnie Fisher.  On his side of the stone, there was this list:  “A life of service – Army Vietnam Veteran – Denver Police – FBI – JTTF (Joint Terroism Task Force – I looked it up – You’re Welcome) and Secret Service.

   On her side of the stone:  Artist – United Flight Attendant 45 years – Beautiful & Lots of Fun – Married 43 Years.

   Of all those “accomplishments” listed on the headstone, can you guess which one impressed me most?  I think many of you could guess correctly.  (Don’t look at the title of this column) Yup, you “guessed ‘er Chester” – “Lots of Fun!”

   And that brings me back to the classic show “Harvey.”  In the 1950 movie, Jimmy Stewart plays an eccentric, kind-hearted, wealthy man named Elwood.  Elwood’s best friend is a 6 foot 3-and-a half inch tall invisible rabbit.

   Elwood is “lots of fun.”  Here are three Elwood quotes from the show:

   “I always have a wonderful time, wherever I am,  whoever I’m with.”

   “Well, I’ve wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I’m happy to state I finally won out over it.”

   “In this world, you must be oh so smart, or oh so pleasant.  Well, for years I was smart.  I recommend pleasant.  You may quote me.”

   So what makes a person “lots of fun” – as Bonnie was remembered to be in Colorado?  I have given this some thought.  I even made a list – before I asked Google.

   I’m going to share a few things that I think we should consider, if we want to be “more fun” around our friends, family and people in general.  Here goes.

1.  Have a sense of humor.  Don’t be afraid to poke fun at yourself, but be careful and use a “light touch” in making others the object of “fun.”

2. Have empathy for others.  Respect others and attempt to help them be comfortable.  Be playfully honest,  while supportive.

3. Be spontaneous.  I find that sometimes invitations,  even with very short notice,  can be as successful for events as long term planning can be – up to and including going on cruises.

My brother and sister-in-law, a few years ago,  decided to cruise with us to Mexico a couple of days before our departure.

4.  Try to keep things “low-drama.”  Some of life is serious.  Much of life can be light-hearted without damaging anything that is seriously important.

5. And, finally, what I’ve stated here before as my twin-goals in life lately:

A.  Look for the good, and B. Be slow to judge.  Life is so much more fun and less stressful when attempting to live by those maxims.

   People who are “lots of fun” don’t require us to compromise our standards.  Fun is possible for all of us,  if we allow ourselves and others to enjoy life in ways that keep everyone safe and happily comfortable.  Let’s be “lots of fun” Sanpete.  And, it will just naturally follow that we’ll have “lots of fun.” — Merrill