104,000 Miles: Ohio

I hit 104,000 miles, while returning from the Mt. Vernon, Ohio area. I had just dropped my older daughter off at Camp Ohio, a Junior and Senior High Christian camp of the

Ohio Advent Christian Conference. The Advent Christian Church was formed in the context of campmeetings like this. Originally they had been camps for the entire family, but in the past generation they evolved into this youth-only type of format.

For whatever reason, I never got to go to these camps as a kid. But in my 20s I never missed a summer, without attending at least two of them, usually in Texas and Oklahoma. Usually I was on the staff, as a counselor, pianist, activities director, or teacher. I was campmaster several times. The AC camps are well-run, low-cost, austere, highly-effective programs that make a great impact on kids' lives. I always wanted to make sure my kids attended some church camps growing up, and am happy to say this has been the case.

Now, if we can get some additional Dexter kids to go as well, next year!

My younger daughter was traveling with us. We just left the campground, and were heading

back north on US-23. There's an exit along the way, that has a gas station with Dairy Queen and KFC (Col. Sanders was an Advent Christian). We usually stop there either coming or going, for a meal or treat. This time we each had a dinner, and then commenced on our way North.

We were near Carey, Ohio, where US-23 joins State Route 15, on the way to Findlay and I-75 Northbound. I chose not to stop, as there were no convenient places to do so. Except for the photo of Camp Ohio, all of the pictures are taken while driving (the farm and rural scenery in

the area is beautiful).


Date: Sunday, July 5th, 2009

Time: 6:00pm

Purpose of the trip: To take my older daughter to Camp Ohio, an Advent Christian Senior Camp in Delaware County. I was on my way back with my younger daughter.

Where: Near Carey, Ohio. US-23 connects with State Route 15 at this point. It is about a hundred twenty miles from Dexter.

On the Ipod/Radio: MacArthur Park, by Richard Harris, from my favorite songs of 1968 Playlist. It had just hit the cool, upbeat section of the song, just as the highway split and we merge onto Route 15.

I have always loved this song. In 1968, the Beatles had just paved the way for pop songs that ran longer than three minutes, with Hey Jude. Other songs followed, like Aquarius by the Fifth Dimension, and Those Were the Days, by Mary Hopkin.

Back in the 70s, the middle upbeat section got used, and overused, as a ditty for commercials, or as a theme song for afternoon movie shows and maybe some sports programs. I remember that local talk-show host Lou Gordon used it for his TV theme song (I show that I loved, even as a kid. I remember his interview with Ron Laflore like it was yesterday).

I think that MacArthur Park should be treated with more regard than it has, through the years. The production of the Richard Harris version is superb. It is squarely in the 60s musical genre, with beautiful melodies and transitions that are rare today. The lyrics are perhaps more serious than people take them (from an artistic perspective). Comedians through the years have made fun of them, especially the part about someone leaving "the cake out in the rain." I think that Elayne Boosler get a lot of traction from this in her early years.

I like listening to MacArthur Park, and feeling melancholy and sentimental. The comedians and overplays have kinda ruined this. Donna Summer's version? I won't even go there!

Other Things About This Day: During this past month, I have been teaching a class for Summer Discovery at the University of Michigan. My class is American Business and Personal Finance. I am designing and developing the entire program, referencing State of Michigan curriculum standards, and enjoying the heck out of it!

The next day after this trip, July 6th, was the beginning of the second week of Summer Discovery. My lesson plans were not anywhere near completed for that week. So as I took some eight hours out of my day, I had some angst thinking about coming home and staying up late to work on it. But I would not miss this opportunity to take my girl to camp and see some old friends. In the end, I did stay up late, but got a lot of work done, and the next week did a favorable job leading the class!