Over the weekend Sarah and I made a visit to Harpers Ferry, VA. Unfortunately, my shoulder was giving me problems that day so I was unable to do a large amount of physical activity. Nonetheless, it was great to get out of Baltimore for a day. Most of the day was spent just visiting the Appalachian Trail Headquarters, a hike to Jefferson Rock, and strolling around the historic area. Some of the buildings were nothing more than remnants of what seemed like a forgotten civilization, others were intact and decorated to the standards of that time period. Intact or not, there was something peaceful about Harpers Ferry. One might think it was the sparse amount of people, but it was something else and didn’t have anything to do with animate objects. Looking into some of the restored and decorated buildings you might except to see grand Victorian halls, but instead you see a sizeable but comfortable living area with nothing more than a bed, desk, wash bin, coffee percolator (essential!), and fireplace. What was peaceful? It wasn’t the abundance of I-pods, laptops, cable television, or other digital accessories, but the lack of those things. I tried to think back to the time before the internet (I’m to young to think back before televisions) and found it challenging. Every night I watch the news, play on the internet, or bum around at Barnes & Nobles. So I am challenging myself and you to pick up a book, read your Bible and talk to God, go running (without the I-pod), write a letter to someone (that means a pen and paper), go fishing, visit a local historical landmark, work to brew that perfect cup of coffee, and plant something (I have a propensity to kill things when I try). REI has a common slogan in its campaigns which says “Out is in”. It actually inspired me not just to spend time in the woods, but spend time in life (which doesn’t include Facebook & Myspace)!
Totally off topic, kudos to some of the best BBQ sauce I’ve ever had at that place I can’t remember the name off. It is in Harpers Ferry.
