A marvelous Monday to you all,

What is it like to sleep at 10,000 feet (3,048 meters)? I’ll find out next week. About 30 of my relatives have a cabin in the Colorado Rockies for the 4th of July Holiday. Wi Fi is wired so I will blog, send photos of the terrain and report on the feel of things.

Uncle Joe Story #2 publishes this Friday, no later than 9 AM my time! So, blogging next week will take second fiddle to the excitement of his new adventure.

What does it mean to be “second fiddle?” Wikipedia says that the term “refers to something that plays a secondary role in support of something that plays a more major or leading role.” Good, but where did the phrase come from, what are its origins? Back before the days of DVDs, pods, pads and earbuds, the days when concerts were king and perhaps the only thing, the lead fiddle in the band or first-chair violin in the orchestra received the greatest attention, basked in the limelight and made the most money. The lead fiddle was the rock star of the then music world. The second fiddle waited and hoped, became a doctor on the side to pay the rent and over time did even better than his lead musical friend by advising patients what to expect when traveling to mountainous states.

I will drink plenty of water and go slow the first day. No hiking right out of the chute. I will wait and watch. Altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness (AMS) can affect visitors above 8,000 feet (2,438.4 meters). Most symptoms are mild — minor headache, transitory tiredness or restless sleep. Symptoms improve when you move to a lower level — but wait, my bed is at 10,000 feet!

Whatever happens, I will reach to the keyboard and blog you a note. It will be a second-fiddle post, I know, but that’s okay, I trust Uncle Joe.

Don’t climb too fast, drink plenty of water and enjoy your day — wherever you are,

Grandpa Jim