After a birthday celebration dinner in Lexington with our close friends Paul and Leslie, we went downtown to Triangle Park as Randy likes to wax sentimental about his college memories of the park. The horse-drawn carriages were out and Randy inquired about the price. It seemed reasonable ($35 for 1/2 an hour) so we decided to go on this little adventure. Sitting downwind from the back-end of the horse did not smell lovely at all but as we started to move along, the aroma dissipated and the romance of the situation fell fully upon us.
Although the others seemed to be immersed in the historic details of the city provided by our driver, I found myself thinking back to Princess Diana riding in a horse-drawn carriage on her wedding day. I was in late elementary school when we got up in the middle of the night to watch the extravaganza of the royal wedding and it was like watching a fairy tale. In the carriage, I tried to imagine being twenty years old and being surrounded by over half a million people as we drove down the road. The experience must have been overwhelming. Eventually I was pulled out of my reverie to our little tour of Lexington’s historical homes and streets.
The half hour was just the right length, just long enough to feel like we got our money’s worth, but just short enough to keep us wanting for a bit more. Perhaps we’ll get to do it again someday. A carriage ride in New York’s Central Park during the holiday season sounds like something to shoot for. Such things are a bit extravagant, but for a few moments, I was a princess alongside my prince and that was worth every penny.