Tag Archives: explore

The Power Of A Story

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Wednesday found me admiring the gorgeous fall foliage in Dayton’s Woodland Cemetery. I’m on vacation this week and, after days of doing what other people wanted me to do, it was nice to roam freely.

We wandered around this enormous cemetery on the hill where people have buried their loved ones literally for centuries. We found the graves of pioneers and soldiers, infants and the very old, and of people both famous and forgotten.

Adam found the grave of Julia Reichert, a 76 year old who died two years ago. I snapped a photo to remind me to Google her. Here’s what her epitaph reads:

She believed in love and justice

And the power of story

She fought for women and workers

And a better world.

She lived bravely and fiercely across all her years. 

What a tribute. I just had to know more about this woman and expected to find an obituary online. What I didn’t expect to find was a series of newspaper articles from publications in Ohio, New York City and Washington D.C. 

The Yellow Springs News wrote “A documentarian with a career spanning more than fifty years, Reichert’s oeuvre includes more than  two dozen works as director and producer. Her work in film will be remembered for holding a megaphone to the voices of women and the working class – a thematic thread that ran through many of her most important works.”

Her first  film Growing Up Female was released in 1971 and was considered one of the first films of the women’s liberation movement. The list of her accomplishments and accolades is impressive and hers sounds like a life well lived. 

It seems to me the world could use more people like her. Imagine being described as someone who “lived bravely and fiercely across all her years.” What an amazing thing to say about someone.

Oh, the power of story. 

Be curious about the world around you, friends. Go looking for stories. Ask questions. Look for more about the things that pique your interest. You may get a story out of it. You may learn something. You may be inspired, empowered and delighted by what you find. 

This is my advice but I hope Julia Reichert would approve.

Exploration

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My two favorite things in this world are going to places I have never been and repeatedly visiting places in nature that are familiar. That sounds contradictory but it helps me stay sane when I can’t travel.

When you find a place that’s close and that you enjoy, it’s a good idea to study it at different times of day and in different conditions. In nature, the appearance of a single tree can change with the seasons, with the weather and in varying light. It’s obviously different with the new buds of spring, the thick foliage of summer, the brilliant hues of fall and the stark bareness of winter.

The light and shadows make a place different too. The presence of people give a place much different energy as well. 

There’s something comforting in this knowledge that while a place can change with conditions, it remains the same in its core. One of my favorite things to do is to revisit a couple of local trails I know well. To watch with quiet anticipation the first blooms of spring, to watch for the turtles on a log where they return each year, to stop and admire the first wildflowers on the forest floor – this all is pure magic.

And then there’s exploration. I firmly believe that you should go somewhere you’ve never been every chance you get. Whether it’s a far away city, a museum exhibit close by or a forest near your home, find a place you haven’t seen and go there. It is good for the mind to see new things because you often will learn something. You may meet someone who changes your worldview. You may find a new passion or realize that old habits and thoughts do not serve you well.

I am dying to hit the open road and to stop and look at things that catch my eye. A road trip will hopefully be in my near future and I can hardly wait. If you haven’t been somewhere new in a while, it’s time to do something about that. Life should be more than a constant parade of work, chores, doctor appointments, errands, kid’s sports and other obligations. 

There has to be more to life than that. You get one life. Run wild and free or be quiet and introspective. Explore somewhere. Study it and learn. I have never once regretted an adventure day.

Rapid City Memories

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Plans are underway for my 2022 Western Adventure so I have been thinking a lot about past western trips. Of all the places I’ve been, Rapid City, South Dakota is one of the most visually pleasing small cities and one I wouldn’t mind revisiting someday.

It is packed with things to to do, cute shops, amazing restaurants and public art galore.

We had some terrific meals, including dinner at Firehouse Brewing Company which is located in a 1915 era firehouse. Today it has the distinction of being the city’s first brew pub and it exists because a group of investors saw an opportunity, formed a partnership and went for it.

There are great old buildings and terrific vintage signage still in use today.

Plus, there’s an alley where local artists can apply for permits to practice their graffiti art. Some of the work is fun or cute while others deliver a message.

When it comes to public art, the city is actually best known for its trail of life sized bronze statues that represent each of our nation’s former presidents. There’s a reason why their nickname is “City of Presidents” and it isn’t just because Mount Rushmore is down the road.

Most of these statues are impressive and some are surprisingly moving like this one of John F. Kennedy with his toddler son.

They are all privately funded and it’s a non-partisan project all the way around.

Rapid City is close to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, the Badlands and a host of other regional attractions. That area is well worth your time whether you stop on your way somewhere else or are spending a chunk of time.

If you’re interested, type South Dakota into the search box here and you’ll find several pieces from my visit a few years ago!

Street Art

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There’s an amazing alley in Rapid City, South Dakota where graffiti artists can legally leave their mark.

It’s a brilliant method to tamping down on graffiti around the city and one of those most surreal places I’ve seen.

There were several pieces that caught my eye. Here’s just one.

Incidentally, I don’t recall reading about this in any brochures. We found it because we parked the car and walked around. When you visit a new place, get out and explore. You never know what you’ll find!