We haven't taken a detour in a while. In fact, I've been feeling a little less than inspired lately but we've got some cogwheels turning. As always, I want your suggestions.
Next week is Thanksgiving, the buffer holiday in between my two big favorites, Halloween and Christmas.
On Turkey Thursday, I usually spend some hours noming on some mashed potatoes and then I spend some hours here at WDUN, making sure you get your news and prepping for the Black Friday madness that begins the holiday news cycle.
The holidays are usually filled with travel and family time and in my case, some internal self-evaluations, which tends to put things like blogs and quirky tourists stops on the back burner.
I'll just come out and say it: I understand what it feels like to be working with a lost cause. I know what it's like to be on the side of historic preservation when other people say "just tear it down" and I know how it feels to see something that has brought me a lot of joy fall in to a solid disrepair, too far gone to be fixed and I know how it feels to be too late.
The truth is, a lot of the things I get the privelege of covering, enjoying and sharing on this blog are waiting patiently for people like me. People who care.
Many places I go to visit are run by people who care. They are run by people who volunteer to put their blood, sweat and tears in, by people who dedicate their weekends and elbow grease to make something wonderful.
So if you're feeling generous, if your heart has grown three sizes that day, or if you are just a person who cares, rememeber your hometown attractions, your local business and the people that both base their livelihoods and spend their time on it, and do what you can to help.
If you can make a donation, awesome. If you can pick up souvenir magnets for all your friends, awesome. But sometimes what helps the most is just paying the admission fee.
Sometimes all you need to do is take the detour. Stop the car, check out the roadside stand, buy some peanuts. Pay to feed and pet the goats. Put the dollar in the "donations" box at the end of the tour. Take the selfie and post it online with a location check in or hashtag. Don't just bring your friends souvenirs, bring them back.
I think we are #Blessed to live in a region with so many cool places, interesting things, and wonderful, caring people that keep those things going. If you are looking for a cause to support this holiday season, remember your local businesses as you buy your Christmas gifts, remember a local attraction when the kids want to do something over the holiday weekend, and remember the local non-profits that seek to do good in the community.
Happy Thanksgiving and stay curious.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/11/471645/detour-blessed