Running away to the circus better than ever dreamed

I’ve always wanted to say “I’m running away to join the circus!” I mean, who wouldn’t? The big top. The bright lights. The menagerie. On Tuesday, I got my chance to run away – sort of.

At 11 a.m. I met with Doug Karsten, or “Poppa D,” at Carson and Barnes Circus, which he said is the only remaining big top circus. They had rolled into town for a two-day show and were just setting up at the Spokane Valley Mall.

Karsten showed me around, telling me about the show and the history while I took it all in. As we rounded the camels, there they were: The elephants. These three beauties were the reason for my visit.

Isa, 36, Isla, 32, and Kelly, 31, stood under a huge, cool, shady tent. They were eating hay and looking around, as if to say “I think I’m ready for my midmorning nap.” I was in awe of their gentle nature.

As I asked Karsten about the girls standing lazily before us, he told me they like Tootsie Rolls. The elephants trainer, William Morris, joined us. Morris, a fourth-generation elephant trainer, has been with Isa, Isla and Kelly for 12 years and considers the three elephants part of his family. He is with them 24 hours a day, seven days a week, traveling with the circus.

“I stay with them, keep them happy. I know what they need,” Morris said.

It was obvious to me that the elephants and Morris had a bond. The girls responded to Morris’ voice, which didn’t get much louder than normal conversation tone. He called them and they casually walked over to us, looking at me with their large, brown eyes, waiting for a pat and a hello. I looked down and noticed a big trunk, tickling my foot. I laughed like a little girl. Morris gave the elephants a loving pat and told them how good they were.

Now that I had met these girls and spent some time with them, I was ready to take a ride. But, I would have to wait. Morris explained that the late morning was the elephants’ “down time.” They had been traveling, helping set up the big top, and it was time for a rest. So, I would come back later in the afternoon, after their bath.

When I returned, Morris and his crew were setting up what ended up being quite an elaborate operation. A pressure washer sprayed warm water into large buckets of soapy water. There were scrub brushes of every size: one for their face, one for their back, one for their stomach and a special one for their feet.

And the elephants loved it. Isla was the first to get her bath. Morris called her, and she amiably walked over, ready for the warm water. She slowly lay down, and the warm soap was poured over her and the scrubbing began She looked as if she were in heaven.

I wondered if I would be able to hop on one of these bathing beauties, now that they had rested and had their bath. But, no, I would have to wait yet again, until they dried and had something to eat. Wow, I thought, these elephants are really pampered, and rightfully so. Isa, Isla and Kelly, along with the rest of the circus, perform twice a day, seven days a week, eight months out of the year.

Finally, the girls were clean and fed, and the saddle was being put on Isla’s back. When I slid on, I felt free – it was amazing. I had no fear. I trusted the 9-foot-plus-tall gentle creature below me, and she wasn’t afraid, either. Just another day at the office. For her, work had begun. When my ride was over, I hopped down, elated. If I could have, I would’ve hugged her.

As I turned to leave, Karsten had wandered over and asked if I had enjoyed my ride and my time with the elephants. I, of course, thanked him and told him it was incredible. He asked me if I was coming back for the show, and, if so, was I going to ride one of the girls into the big top when the show began? I couldn’t believe my ears. Could I really? Was he joking? No, Karsten told me.

About a half-hour later, my son and I rode into the big top on the back of one of the other elephants. Karsten had given the ringmaster our names and he announced us, underneath the bright circus lights. There, for one small moment, my dream of running away with the circus had come true.