Simple Things

If my kids forget the simple things in life one day, I'll open the annals (or external hard drives) of kid history. Methinks the same things that fascinated kids 100 years ago, still fascinate kids today. But, we must give them the exposure. Get them away from the media, the TV, X-Box, and allow them to discover life from an unadulterated point of view.

We spied this covered bridge on a road trip years ago. Most drivers will pass it by and never know. It is more noticeable from the interstate during spring and winter when the trees and foliage are not in full blossom. Even then you would have to be looking because it's tucked in a nook.

One day we ventured off the beaten path (I-70) and searched until we found it. And it required some searching, because we didn't know which ramp to exit and explore. Eventually we found the bridge hidden down a dirt road. (The best things in life are worth the chase.) Since then, we have visited the covered bridge numerous times throughout every season. We've watched snow fall onto the frozen lake around it. We've stood inside, listening as rain pelted its roof. Last week, we shuffled through the surrounding leaf covered paths.

Whatever the time of year, when it's time to leave we have to drag the boys away - and always they scramble to skip or toss "just one more" rock, stick or snowball.

Tom, Dick & Harry

I suppose every town has a Tom, Dick and Harry. But, I never saw a street sign commemorating their importance, until last weekend. Of course, it seemed picture worthy, so I snapped from our moving car. Then I wondered what Tom, Dick and Harry looked like.

In the cascade mountain area in Oregon, you could intersect with Tom, Dick and Harry if you're interested in hiking. It's a beautiful Tom, Dick and Harry if ever I saw one.

In the 1940's Tom, Dick and Harry looked like a chic flick film starring Ginger Rogers. You guessed it. She liked three men named Tom, Dick and Harry. Eeny meeny miney moe, fairly summed up the plot.

Do you remember the Muppets monster, Tom, Dick and Harry. Me either. But, it seems a little too weird for the kiddies. And man - I have to wonder how the puppeteer pulled that off with only two hands.

My grandfather was a barber for 50 years. Harry was every guy with hair touching his shirt collar. I didn't always know that. For years whenever I heard Gramps say, "My oh my, there goes Harry," I figured either Harry walked by the house frequently to annoy Gramps or a lot of women in town strangely named their boys Harry. Turned out, any hairy Tom, Dick or Harry was always Harry by my Gramps standard.

Feel free to share about your Tom, Dick and Harry.

Landoll's Castle

Last weekend we hit the road headed toward the Mohican State Park area in Ohio. Although green leaves on the trees would have made better pictures, we managed to find some amazing sites and landscapes. The most curious was the Landoll's Castle. Landoll was once a publishing company owned by Jim Landoll. He sold the company in 1997 to Tribune Education. Several years later, he built the castle.

We visited the castle a few summers ago, but didn't tour the grounds. There was a restaurant on the property and we planned to return for dinner one day. Unfortunately since we last visited the castle, the restaurant burned down and plans to rebuild are coming to fruition. When the restaurant is completed, we plan to visit again and rent a castle room for a night!

Once again, a cheap road trip afforded us the great sites and sounds we always anticipate when we venture past the backyard. 

Off the Beaten Path

Something about a castle seems romantic. I know roll your eyes. It’s okay. I’ll still love castles and want to visit them and imagine how it might have been when the noble knight easily climbed the limestone steps and carried his bride across the threshold.

Although neither princes nor noble knights inhabited the Piatt castles, they equalled in charm on their well-kept landscapes. But, our boys found more interest in tossing stones in the nearby creek than touring an old stone house. Consequently, we plan to visit the castles again this summer when we can take more time with a tour.

The Piatt family story is an interesting read and I’m tickled to discover so many hidden treasures not far from home. I bet there are some interesting places off the beaten path in your neck of the woods as well. By the way, since we’re looking for ways to cut spending this year, travel and entertainment is one of the first places to snip. But, we definitely don’t plan on sitting around twirling our thumbs!

If you dig around for unusual places to visit  close to home, let me know what you turn up!

Jump!

Believe it or not, that's what the loons below yelled to the dare devil before he leaped into frigid water below.

On the other side of the bank, I yelled, "NO!" "NO!" But, the guy couldn't hear me above the water and his *friends provoking him. I told Ed the guy might jump and get the camera ready. I figured if he died at least his family would have pictures of his last breathing moments.

Later that day, further down the trail we saw a park officer on the hunt for the jumper. Not only did the guy end up with what looked like an injury when he emerged from the water, but he may have been fined as well.

Utter Darkness

The Ohio Caverns were discovered  by a poor farm boy when he spied water bubbling up out of the ground. It took years to dig the mud and dirt out by the bucketful. The caverns opened to the public in the late 1800's.

Several years ago, we went on a guided tour of the caverns, which left me awestruck. I had never toured a cavern or seen anything like it before. Looking at stalagmite and stalactite formations thousands of years old blew me away! Many of them "grew"  in curious nooks and crannies like hideaways.

At one point during the tour, the guide turned off the lights. Total blackness ensued. My eyes  felt like they had been snuffed out. He told us we stood in  "utter darkness". A place where our eyes wouldn't be able to adjust.

Utter darkness had no shadows, no forms-  no glimmers. Instantly, I clawed the black and scrambled about seeking out our boys. The experience frightened me more than it did most of the others! I'll never forget the comfort of finding Ed's hand in mine with the kids in a huddle.

Have you ever experienced utter darkness literally or metaphorically?