Day 1513

My two youngest Golden Boys are always looking for adventure! They do not have a mean bone in their bodies, but their desire to have fun will win out over common sense every time. Digging huge holes, “collecting” rocks and doing gymnastics off the couches might be a few examples. Like toddlers, we have to keep our eyes on them at all times.

Back in the 1960’s, our parents never seemed to have that issue. They let us roam the neighborhood and seek our own adventures with amazing our imaginations! On a bike ride this morning, I was reminded of one such adventure, but this one eventually involved some “parental guidance.”

Our gang was biking and discovered a “window” in the gutter. Peering in, we saw a small room with a tunnel attached. Intrigued, we dropped our bikes in a pile and headed down a big hill in hopes of finding the entrance. Sure enough, about 40 to 50 yards later, we discovered a culvert in a bank by the river. The braver ones entered first and, on hands and knees, crawled upward toward a dim light at the other end. I remember bringing up the rear and feeling uncomfortable with the cramped nature of the tunnel. Emerging at the other end, we found the concrete room we had discovered up on the street level. It was touted as our new “clubhouse!”

After a couple more ventures up to the clubhouse, my dad caught wind of our newest exploit and asked if he could go along to see it. We were excited to share our “find,that ” so we hopped on our bikes and he followed in the car. Our excitement was soon shattered when he gently put the kibosh on our treasured find. He explained our fort was a rain gutter to the river. If a heavy rain hit, we could be in danger if the water started to flood down the culvert towards the river while we were in the little room.

Although most of the gang were saddened, my relief knew no bounds! Being on the tall side, my back would scrape the top of the tunnel and my claustrophobia was in full bloom! Peer pressure can certainly make you do uncomfortable things!

So, with our own adventurous pups, we will try to guide them in the right direction and keep them safe… just like my father did for us. Of course, their puppy youth will cry “unfair,” but sometimes, “Mother knows best!”