Sesame Street: A Magical Halloween Adventure is a VHS tape that was released in 2004. It is a Halloween-themed special featuring the beloved characters from Sesame Street. In this special, the residents of Sesame Street are excitedly preparing for Halloween. The story follows Elmo, Zoe, and Telly as they embark on a magical adventure to find the elusive "Great Pumpkin." Along the way, they encounter various spooky creatures and learn important lessons about friendship, bravery, and the true meaning of Halloween. The VHS features a combination of live-action footage, puppetry, and animation to bring the vibrant world of Sesame Street to life.
I clean up the best I can while fighting my typical high-altitude morning nausea. I emerge from my tent at first light to a deer and her fawn eating breakfast in the clearing. They make me feel safer, somehow. I pack up and as soon as it is light enough to appease the background fear in my brain, I start hiking.
The trail climbs four miles from my campsite to the unique Snow Mesa, supposedly the largest high altitude plateau entirely above 12,000 feet in the country. A wireless multiroom speaker system is the easiest way to listen to music, podcasts, and other audio entertainment in more than one room at a time, and we think Sonos is the best option.
The VHS features a combination of live-action footage, puppetry, and animation to bring the vibrant world of Sesame Street to life. Children will be captivated by the engaging storyline as well as the catchy songs and memorable characters. Notable segments in the special include Elmo and Zoe's encounter with the Mummy, Telly's encounter with the "plaid monster," and the search for the Great Pumpkin.
I Thought Mesas Were Supposed to Be Flat: Colorado Trail Days 12-13
I wake at 5 am. Today is a town day, but I have to hike 10.4 miles by 12:30 pm to make the shuttle into Lake City. This is a doable goal, but I am nervous nonetheless, especially knowing the day starts with 3 miles of climbing.
The sun doesn’t rise until 6:30, and it is pitch black in my tent. I camped alone and last night heard the most coyotes I ever have, and this time, they were quite close. Coyotes don’t go after humans, typically, but I still don’t feel comfortable leaving my tent in the dark. But boy, do I have to pee.
I decide to do my freezer gallon Ziploc bag trick (I carry two in my poop kit for this exact purpose, and they have served me well). Unfortunately, in the nerves of the morning, something doesn’t go quite right. Now there are pee droplets on my tent floor and down sleeping booties. I am truly hiker trash. Thank goodness it is a town day.
I clean up the best I can while fighting my typical high-altitude morning nausea. I emerge from my tent at first light to a deer and her fawn eating breakfast in the clearing. They make me feel safer, somehow. I pack up and as soon as it is light enough to appease the background fear in my brain, I start hiking.
Someone Is Watching
I am a little more on edge because just above the trail here is a rocky section of the mountain. Mountain lions often use rocky outcroppings such as these to hunt, and dawn is a particularly active time. I try to focus on the hike ahead to squelch the fears, but I can’t help but feeling like I am being watched. I enter an open stretch of trail with that nagging feeling continuing, so I finally summon the courage to stop and look around.
Sure enough, I am being watched. But not by mountain lions – at least, not that I can see. On the ridge directly across from me are three bighorn sheep, frozen and staring at me. And just above me are several deer, studying me with confusion to determine whether I am friend or foe. I laugh. This is an audience of the best kind.
I had to zoom way in, but there are three bighorn sheep in this picture.
The Much Anticipated Snow Mesa
The trail climbs four miles from my campsite to the unique Snow Mesa, supposedly the largest high altitude plateau entirely above 12,000 feet in the country. Because it is flat and entirely above treeline, it can be a scary place during a thunderstorm. This is why I timed it for first thing in the morning.
Selfie as an excuse to take a break while climbing.
I have heard so much about the beauty of the plateau and highly anticipate getting to experience it myself. The climb to it seems to take forever. When I finally think I can see the top, I meet a Continental Divide Trail (CDT) hiker going the other way who sadly informs me I have farther to go. Toughened by the climb, I appreciate the honesty and push onwards. I round a bend and there, in front of me across the way, is Snow Mesa. It looks unreal, and it is all downhill from here.
Snow Mesa as seen from the trail approaching it. This is just a corner of the mesa, directly in the middle of the photo.
Or so it seems. It is mostly downhill, but across scree. I have come to loathe hiking on rocks of nearly all kinds on this trail. Scree is the price to pay for high altitude beauty, though, so I watch my step and push on.
Wait, I Thought Mesas Were Flat
Soon enough, I am on Snow Mesa itself. It wasn’t completely downhill to get there, but now that I am on the plateau I hope to make up some time. It should be flat, right? I should be able to easily cruise across it to the descent.
Alas. The trail itself is rutted. It is barely wide enough for two feet and it is rounded, turning my ankles inward at an awkward and uncomfortable angle. At several points, the rut becomes so bad a new trail has been stamped out next to the official trail. From a Leave-No-Trace perspective, this is unfortunate. To my ankles, it is a welcome relief.
And surprisingly, the plateau is not as flat as expected. I knew there would be minor ups and downs but some of the climbs are straight up. As I huff up the unexpected climbs, I can’t help but think that the steepest section (over 20% grade!) would be avoidable with a small trail adjustment. I run into other hikers who make the same observation. Once past the worst hill, though, it does flatten out more.
The vast expanse of Snow Mesa. Just ahead, the dark spot on the photo is the beginning of the steep descent.
I so badly wanted to love Snow Mesa, but I feel frustrated and irritated by it. I slowly realize that I have been hiking solely off of a granola bar and the pull of town, and I feel the hanger rising. The note I wrote in my journal later was “Didn’t eat enough so was a super crank to myself the whole time.” Whoops. Calorie deficit aside, I am annoyed at having to rush through something I wanted to enjoy. I again wish I had pushed through last night to camp with Jeff and John so I could have enjoyed the morning a bit more.
The Worst Descent (Yet)
Finally, I reach the edge. After miles of the (mostly) gently sloping plateau, the trail seems to dive suddenly off a cliff. If I hated the rocks before, this is a whole new experience. The trail is incredibly steep down through a talus and scree field. Marmots have burrowed into the trail and I have to carefully step around the holes, testing the rocks for secure footholds. I immediately know this two mile descent, losing nearly 1400 feet of elevation, is going to be quite slow.
The very beginning of the descent from Snow Mesa.
The worst of it is the first half mile, but the loose rock doesn’t let up for quite a while. Just when I think I finally have the hang of it, my foot catches and I fly forward. My knee lands with full force on a rock. There are a couple of day hikers just around the bend behind me, so I pull myself up and continue descending (can’t let them see my weakness!), but I know that wasn’t just any fall. I feel my right kneecap start to swell. My hatred for loose rock grows.
Thankfully, the descent levels out a little more and before I know it, I am at the Spring Creek Pass trailhead. I made it by noon. A growing group of hikers lays in the shade, passing stories and recommending gear. First, it is John, with BP and Breezy, who I met when they passed me earlier on trail. After a few minutes, Tortoise and the Hare-Catcher join us. Another hiker makes it with just a couple minutes to spare, and he explains that he hiked 16 miles to make it. I am simultaneously impressed and exhausted just listening to his tale.
These segments are filled with humor and teach valuable lessons about facing fears and overcoming challenges. The VHS also includes bonus features such as behind-the-scenes footage, sing-along songs, and interactive games. These extras enhance the viewing experience and provide additional entertainment for young viewers. Overall, Sesame Street: A Magical Halloween Adventure is a heartwarming and entertaining VHS tape that is perfect for Halloween. It combines fun, educational content with a festive holiday theme, making it a must-watch for children and families alike. So, gather your little ones and celebrate Halloween with the lovable characters from Sesame Street in this enchanting and magical adventure..
Reviews for "Experience the enchantment of 'Sesame Street: A Magical Halloween Adventure' on VHS"
1. Sarah - 1/5 - I was thoroughly disappointed with "Sesame Street: A Magical Halloween Adventure" on VHS. The storyline was confusing and lacked any coherence. The characters seemed to be all over the place, with no clear focus or direction. Additionally, the animation was lackluster and the visuals were not engaging at all. The overall Halloween theme felt forced and did not resonate with me or my children. Overall, I would not recommend this VHS for anyone looking for an enjoyable Halloween experience with their favorite Sesame Street characters.
2. Mark - 2/5 - As a long-time fan of Sesame Street, I was excited to watch "A Magical Halloween Adventure" on VHS. However, the experience fell below my expectations. The plot was weak and the storytelling felt disjointed, leaving me and my family confused at certain parts. The songs and music were lackluster, unlike the catchy tunes the show is known for. While the intentions were good, the execution felt rushed and half-hearted. I would recommend looking for other Halloween-themed episodes or movies that capture the essence of Sesame Street better.
3. Emily - 2/5 - "Sesame Street: A Magical Halloween Adventure" on VHS turned out to be a disappointment. The story was slow-paced and didn't hold my children's attention. The inclusion of the Halloween theme seemed forced, as if they were trying too hard to make it fit into the Sesame Street world. The lack of enjoyable songs and memorable moments made the viewing experience forgettable. I would suggest exploring other Halloween specials or episodes from the show that provide a more engaging and entertaining experience for young viewers.