The Scenic Route

“Road trips are the equivalent of human wings. Ask me to go on one, anywhere. We’ll stop in every small town and learn the history and stories, feel the ground and capture the spirit. Then we’ll turn it into our own story that will live inside our history to carry with us, always. Because stories are more important than things.” 

Victoria Erickson

These past few days I’ve avoided driving on any interstates – on purpose – in order to get closer to the various communities. At times, my Little Guy has bounced around like a kangaroo as I failed to avoid the many potholes found on the back roads; however, the scenery has been breathtaking. The remote townships in New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire are delightful. I imagine who lives in each unique home and wonder why they have settled here as opposed to any other place in the world. Like me, perhaps, they settled close to family or where they were able to land a job they love. Perhaps, some have never considered the opportunities that may be elsewhere and simply settle into a routine. As I pass house after house, community after community, person after person, I am amazed at how many people there are in this world. I began to question how one person can make a difference in the scheme of the whole wide world filled with well over SEVEN BILLION individuals. So, I visited another home of a dead president and a rock museum then realized one person can make a difference.

I don’t know a lot about President Calvin Coolidge but learned that he came from a wonderful tiny village in Vermont. He was a hard-working young boy who carved his own shoulder yoke for carrying heavy pails of fresh milk and water. He hand-sewed quilts and built his own bedroom nightstand and dresser. I know that his success did not spare him from hard work or personal tragedy. He was a quiet man of great character. With reference to his family and community, he stated, “They taught me to be faithful over a few things.” To stand in the family living room where he received his unexpected inaugural oath of office (from his own father) was humbling. He was just one person who happened to be President of the United States.

I visited the Vermont Marble Company Factory and Museum (marble as in a countertop, not the toy). I know – more rocks and dead presidents. I had no idea how important this industry has been within the United States and beyond. Reading about the number of immigrants brought directly from Ellis Island to work in the marble business, as well as the rise and fall then rise again of the company because of one man’s genius, was a reminder that most of us would not exist be it for the couple of individuals in our ancestry who made the trek or voyaged to the Land of Opportunity. One individual does make a difference. Vermont Marble Company is responsible for some pretty important structures such as the United States Supreme Court Building and the Lincoln Memorial, as well as tremendous works of art including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Today, I toured Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory. Besides the fact that the company is highly sustainability-conscious, the ice cream must be produced from zen cows who probably practice yoga before giving milk for the production of this ice cream. The next time you are in the grocery store, read the purely simple ingredients on these joyfully named pints, then purchase a pint knowing you are giving to the greater good. The tour was fun, informative, and so tasty – but, the thing that stuck with me is how two boys who met in the 7th grade took their idea and created an organization that not only makes ice cream but promotes and supports so many philanthropic ideals. Ben and Jerry were the same age as the students I have the opportunity to teach. I hope that I never squelch my students’ unique ideas or individual dreams, as this is the time they are often most creative.

Tonight, I’m in New Hampshire in a campground off a dirt road in the hills of the White Mountains. When yielding before going through the one-way covered bridge and turning onto the dirt road, I glanced to my left as a gentleman rolled down his window to heartily wave and give me the thumbs up, which probably wouldn’t have happened if I were driving on the interstate. Yet, things of this nature are occurring several times a day as the Little Guy trailer poses for photos for folks in parking lots or at stop signs. But, the man’s simple gesture of a thumbs up caused me to smile and wave back. While continuing on my journey, I was assured that one person does make a difference in the world – even with just a wave.

After spending two days in New York’s Adirondacks and two in the Green Mountains of Vermont, I have another scenic route planned for tomorrow that will take me off the beaten path to the top of the Presidential Range in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. My students are aware of my full bucket list book, some of which I will share in my next post; however, I am running out of ideas, so I have a box of Anywhere Adventure cards that provide interesting suggestions in which I’m participating. Has anyone else eaten pickled fiddleheads? Stay tuned.