There's something about the sweet ol' midwest. Every summer I just fall in love with spending time there. I'm sure my friends wonder what there is to do in Missouri... Well...
Wait for the siren. As the mist lifts above the cold spring, a bunch of fishermen gather around, preparing their bait. And somewhere in the midst of all those hardcore trout-catchers, my dad and I stand waiting. All of sudden, a loud siren roar breaks the serenity and fishing lines go flying. There's nothing like fishing in a spring filled with trout that were raised from their birth to die. Actually, when you think about it that way, it's depressing. But for me, it's some of the best father/daughter time as my dad and I catch fish after fish trying to meet the catching limit.
Indian summer. A couple years ago, my sister persuaded my dad that the three of us should go floating down a nearby river in tubes. So we headed to a campground, rented three tubes, and took a splash in the cold water... So peaceful, so lazy, the river took us on a journey for about an hour through a forest. I really felt close to God, in the middle of a river, so far away from anything besides nature. Creation does testify of a creator...
Watch your step. Once upon a time, a little girl spent some of her summer in the midwest and discovered a terrible curse. Every 13 years terrible insects swarm and eat every green thing in sight. I've had to deal with this "curse" twice already... and watching your feet so you don't step on a locust/cicada is not fun at all. Thank God it's only every thirteen years...
White steeples. Little white church steeples dot the countryside, including my dad's tiny church and my mom's church where my parents were married. There's nothing like picking up a hymnal and singing genuine worship.
Amiability. Saying "hello" or "thank you" to a stranger where I live is out of the ordinary. But not in the midwest. People actually smile at you, say friendly things, and enjoy their jobs. I wish all people in America were like this more often. I know some people have tough lives, but for the most part, people in America are pretty well off. And they should show their thankfulness about it. I know it's not exactly rational, but one can only hope...
Pink pavement. My sister and I know we are almost to Grandma's when the car drives over pavement that is a peachy pink. Over the river and through the woods...
Redefining pitch black. When I was young, my dad used to always talk about his job while in college- giving tours in a cave. So every now and then, my family returns to that cave where he used to work, walking through the darkness and bats. When I was little, this was the highlight of the summer vacation.
Trip down memory lane. "This is where your aunt got in her first car accident..." "This is where I fell of the hayride and sprained my ankle..." "This is where your great-uncles owned a barber shop..." My relatives are never short of stories as we drive down gravel roads in the country. It's craziness, really, to think these people are related to me. But I love them nonetheless.
4 hour family lunch. The customary tradition is to meet with my mom's side of the family every Sunday we are in town at Olive Garden and eat for hours and hours. We are a pretty interesting bunch, brought together by my grandpa's offer to treat us all to unlimited breadsticks and salad.
Concrete on the concrete. I may sound like the travel channel here, but by far, the best ice cream shop in the U.S. is on route 66 in St. Louis, Missouri. If you go after a Cardinals game, you may have to wait for 15 minutes in line before you can order a concrete at Ted Drewes. But it's always worth the wait.
I could probably add at least 10 more traditions/things I do in the sweet ol' midwest. But in the end it's not about where you are or what you do, but who you're with.
