Something to ponder
As I posted in another entry here, moving to this area was the best possible thing I could have done for myself. It allowed me the opportunity to heal, and regroup without the constant reminders of things gone horribly wrong.
This also brought me back to my love of cars
I’ve returned to my hometown twice in the almost two years since leaving. Something I have noticed on both visits though… I get a different feeling about the place now. Almost as though I am merely a visitor there, and somehow disconnected from the area. OMG, I have become a tourist! lol
Admittedly, there is nothing there (really), and visiting there is like traveling back in time 20 years. Oh sure, they have the ongoing I-99, and Corridor O projects happening. However, these have changed the landscape, and made once-familiar travel a thing of the past. The mountains are another story altogether. I now ask myself how I could have possibly lived there for 35 years.
I left in a hurry back in November of 2003. It only took me two days to organize the 160+ mile move across the state. Almost as if I had been literally drop-kicked from there.
I’ve said many times that I am getting closer to that Mason-Dixon Line with each move. I can’t complain about being 64 miles from Baltimore, or an hour or so from Rising Sun. Bearhawke has told me many times over the years that I am destined to live in Virginia one day… as this is where I am most at peace. I must have been a Southern Belle in a past life.
Anyway, getting back to my story of the mountains… I couldn ‘t wait to get back here. While seeing old friends was nice, I felt I didn’t belong there anymore. It’s not “home” anymore. There seems to be hardly any semblence of civilization there. I felt an almost constricting feeling while I was there, and this did not ease until I saw the first sign for Lancaster on my way home.
Traffic used to really bother me. Still does at times. However, it has become the “norm” for me now, as I have to deal with it every day here. I actually feel safer on the four-lane highways here, as opposed to the two-lane country roads in Clearfield County. Yes, we have those in the country here in the outlying areas… but it’s a mere hop, skip, and jump to get back into the city.
It it really true what they say… you can’t go home again? Maybe in my case, it is. The only regret I have in leaving the area was leaving behind my best friend, Dawn. But heck, she comes here so often, she is now one of the “locals”… lol.
Just wondering if anyone else has had the same experience upon returning to the place they once called home.
According to the old saying, “You can never go home again.”. Of course, this is not
meant in the literal sense. What it means is when you do go back to visit or to even live
the new experience will never match up to what you remember - good or bad.
I’ve lived in numerous parts of the country (New York, Virginia (twice), Massachusetts,
Florida and Colorado) and really only refer to Virginia as “home” as that is where I’ve
lived the most (New York being a distance 2nd). New York is where my “young” memories
reside - a time when I was a child. I fondly remember those times (well, most of them
anyways - lol!). Virginia is where my more formutive (teenage) years “reside” as well
as the last 20 years of my life.
Florida and Colorado where just “stopping places” where I happen to live for a period of
time in my life. Back to the topic at hand, I visited Florida a few years ago for the
first time since I left there 25 years ago (almost to the month) and while it was never
really “home” I was indeed shocked at the amount of change that had occured in my
“absence”. Even if I were to move back there it would never be the same as when I
was first there - too much change. Same when I went to NY two years ago. Went through
my old stomping grounds and while there was not as much change it just was not the same.
In both cases, I felt like an outsider and while I did enjoy my visits it felt good
to be back home in Virginia afterwards.
Perhaps “Home is where the Heart is.” And I guess my “heart” is permanently planted in
Virginia. I often tell my wife I’d like to retire to Florida, but the truth is we’ll
probably retire here in “Ole Virginia” where my heart has found its home. We have family,
good friends, and plenty of memories right here - what more could we want?
Comment by Doug D — October 12, 2006 @ 10:22 am
What’s funny is I went back to MY old stomping grounds in Virginia, and everything (just about) had changed - only the White Spot and the University of Virginia were unchanged, and even UVa has greatly expanded and moved stuff around.
Comment by Dave — October 12, 2006 @ 10:32 am
Aaaahhh.. Virginia. My spiritual “home”. I fell in love with this wonderful state back in 1989 when I visited for the first time.
Although the move to Lancaster was/is good for me, I am leaning more, and more towards the idea of moving further South.
The best possible place for me to be would be Virginia Beach. I’ve always been drawn to the water for some reason. If I had to choose an alternate location, it would have to be Smith Mountain Lake in Moneta. Beautiful area about 40 miles South of Roanoke, in the absolutely gorgeous Shenendoah Valley region.
I have yet to share my “special place” with Greg. I’m hoping as time, and money allow, I may one day be able to allow him to see the transformation which occurs each time I am there.
I become an entirely different person. I’m not stressed out, life is taken at a slower pace, and actually enjoyed.
The last time I was there was in 1997. Chad and I started out in Boones Mill, and took the scenic route to the Beach. Breathtaking drive.
Someday…
As for my hometown of Houtzdale, there is erally nothing I want to go back for, other than to see friends. I went back over the Summer (took a day trip to take Dawn home), and nothing has changed. Hopefully, the economy, and job situation will improve there with the coming ehtanol plant slated to go into Clearfield County. Mostly, if work is to be had (for a decent wage) one has to travel to Altoona, or State College. That commute bites… especially in the Winter.
There is a group in Yahoo which depicts the once-thriving downtown area of Houtzdale. However, more than a decade’s worth of block fires have all but wiped out the area. Lots of empty lots now. They even offer tax incentives to those willing to start a business in the downtown area. However, with the fire risk, no one is willing to take that chance. Sad really. Dollar General has done really well there though.
As for my current location, if the job situation improves, and remains consistent… I’d be happy to stay here. I’ve thrived here. City life agrees with me. Granted, I’d like to have a little more room for my cars… but you do what you must.
Onward, and Upward.
Comment by Matilda7016 — November 17, 2006 @ 12:33 pm