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Maybe this is one reason I like the grand wilderness places so much--

and why it is so important to preserve them in national parks. Things on the earth change--asphalt and houses are such a very thin layer over all...  fires can demolish ancient forests in the geologic wink of an eye, or a volcanic eruption or a seismic sea wave... but what underlies all of it remains and continues. Which is not to deny that continents drift, that mountains are built and erode to flatlands--but not at a rate to bother us.

posted by Ciel on October 9, 2009 at 3:47 PM | link to this | reply

TAPS, this post stabbed straight through my heart.  The poignancy of it is palpable.  It also works the other way around. So often now that we've moved to the boonies, I walk about amazed at how similar it is to how I grew up in the summers in Indiana (most other times were in cities and towns).  The scenery is wildly different (mountains now), but the emotions my children must be experiencing are eerily similar.

posted by myrrhage_ on October 9, 2009 at 11:56 AM | link to this | reply

Poor Taps; it sounds terrible. It's like when I was a kid and they started building houses all around ours (ours was one of the first on the street). All the trees were cut, the little forest with its stream gone. Even today, years after, I have trouble thinking about it. So, thanks for the warning!

posted by auslander on October 9, 2009 at 4:42 AM | link to this | reply

I can't believe how much things change from year to year

posted by MiaElla on October 8, 2009 at 9:03 PM | link to this | reply

TAPS

Wowie, I'm not going there, it sounds depressing. Why didn't you drop in and spend the weekend with us eh?

posted by WileyJohn on October 8, 2009 at 8:29 PM | link to this | reply

Oh so sad.  I'm so sorry, it was hard to read about!

posted by MomentsinTime on October 8, 2009 at 7:16 PM | link to this | reply

~ TAPS --- it is a very lonely feeling to find history gone. Touched me this post. Elyse

posted by elysianfields on October 8, 2009 at 7:06 PM | link to this | reply

I'm amazed by how much things have changed in twenty-four years of life. I cannot imagine what the amount and kinds of change I will see by the time I am your age.

posted by FormerStudentIntern on October 8, 2009 at 4:27 PM | link to this | reply

It's quite sad especially if you value those places on there anymore..like you do Taps. One of the setbacks of modernization..how sad.

posted by shobana on October 8, 2009 at 4:02 PM | link to this | reply

most the places I have lived are all in the same area I live now except for where I lived as wee child, but what was strange a gal  was in the store the other day and she lived on the same street as I did as a child but darn I cant remember the address and  that was in LA so fat chance I can find it without the address

posted by lustorlove on October 8, 2009 at 2:28 PM | link to this | reply

Yes,don't go there unprepared! Reminds me of the day I decided to visit the house where I grew up & had fond memories of.As I walked down the lane excited at the thought of revisiting all that once was ours,I realized the house had been demolished & a new complex stood there.Maybe it was the look on my face, someone around asked if I had lost my way? Lost I was, I smiled and left.

posted by shamasehar on October 8, 2009 at 11:18 AM | link to this | reply

I'd like to see if my old swimming hole is still there,

in the valley of Talbot's pasture where Mill Creek ran. But I don't think there's a street name or address -- when we lived there our mail came to a P.O. box or  "General Delivery." I don't think the streets even had a name out there in the boondocks. 

posted by Pat_B on October 8, 2009 at 10:55 AM | link to this | reply

Taps

I remember going back to see the home I lived in until I was 5. Oh, how it seemed so small and unkempt flanked by a MacDonalds and a sprawling shopping mall as apposed to vast wheat fields.  I regretted going back as the image I had in my head was so much more charming (even if I had glorified it just a little in my head).  Some things are best not revisited.  Although I must admit Google street awaits my temptation…..  

posted by Troosha on October 8, 2009 at 10:21 AM | link to this | reply

I know what you are saying totally! I went with one of my brothers in the late seventies to our old street in St. Maries, Idaho and had it not been for the view that was across the way from the house I would never have know I even resided there in my youth! It was all grass as well! Doesn't it just put a lump in your throat that won't go away!? It's like part of one has been removed permanently! Great post for those who have not had this one smack 'em upside the noggin'! sam

posted by sam444 on October 8, 2009 at 10:09 AM | link to this | reply

Very interesting Taps, looking up those memories would stir up emotions for sure. This is why having plenty family pictures around is so important. This reminds me, I've got to get some copies of old family pictures made.

posted by yellowrose55 on October 8, 2009 at 9:23 AM | link to this | reply

Re: Kabu

Both Australia and Canada now have Google Street View, along with about ten other countries.  It is so interesting to look up places.

posted by TAPS. on October 8, 2009 at 8:59 AM | link to this | reply

I went back to take photos of the farm where I grew up

the house stood sad and empty, Mum's beautiful garden was gone and someone some idiot had painted the iron roof red.

posted by Kabu on October 8, 2009 at 8:29 AM | link to this | reply

Re: lionreign

Isn't that a wonderful human attribute--being able to remember/visualize with such detail.

posted by TAPS. on October 8, 2009 at 8:23 AM | link to this | reply

Things change wwith sudden swiftness

In my youth, I moved from my home town to live in the Big Smoke when I returned 7 years later I found that I needed a map to find my way around the place that I grew up.  Things change swiftly and without warning and yet if I lie back and close my eyes, I can see them just the way they were.

posted by lionreign on October 8, 2009 at 8:09 AM | link to this | reply