MAZTER
JUST A LITTLE EDUCATION FOR YOU. I THINK THE STATE OF OHIO HAS DONE A MAGNIFICENT JOB WITH THEIR PARK SYSTEM. AND YOU BUCKEYES CAN BE JUSTLY PROUD OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED THERE IN THE LAST THIRTY YEARS OR SO.
IN 1973 I WENT BACK TO OHIO TO VISIT FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND WAS ACCOMPINIED BY WIFE AND 4 KIDS. WE WERE GOING ON A PICNIC TO A LITTLE PLACE IN DAYTON CALLED EASTWOOD PARK. I USED TO GO THERE OFTEN AS A LITTLE KID MYSELF. UPON ENTERING THE PARK I WAS STUNNED AT THE LOOKS OF THE PLACE BUT BEING A VIETNAM VET IT DIDN'T BOTHER ME ALL THAT MUCH, I WAS USED TO FILTH AND BOMB CRATERS AND SUCH.
ONE THING THAT MADE ME TAKE NOTICE THOUGH WAS THE TYPICAL HARLEY CROWD ALONG WITH THERE LOUD ABRASIVE BEHAVIOR WAS ALCOHOL AND DRUGS. YOU COULD SMELL MARY JANE ALL OVER THE PLACE. MY WIFE AND I LOOKED AT EACH OTHER AND WE PACKED UP AND LEFT. THIS WAS FAIRLY STANDARD OF THE PARK SYSTEM IN OHIO AT THAT TIME. THE MAD RIVER RAN THROUGH THE PARK AND WAS SO POLLUTED YOU COULD WALK FROM ONE RIVER BANK TO THE OTHER AND NEVER GET YOUR FEET WET.
I WAS BACK A FEW YEARS AGO TO VISIT AND WENT TO EASTWOOD PARK AGAIN. COULDN'T BELIEVE MY EYES. THE PLACE IS BEAUTIFUL, NO GARBAGE LAYING AROUND, AND PEOPLE HAVING FUN, FOR THE MOST PART. THERE WAS ONE PROBLEM WITH QUEERS IN THE REST ROOMS BUT THAT WAS BEING TAKEN CARE OF.
THE RIVER HAS BEEN CLEANED UP TO THE POINT IT IS ALMOST PRISTINE. FACT IS I WAS FLY FISHING UNDER ONE OF THE UNDERPASSES AND EXCEPT FOR THE TRAFFIC AND BEING ABLE TO SEE THE DAYTON SKYLINE I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT I WAS ON A TROUT STREAM IN THE WEST SOMEWHERE. IT WAS A GREAT EXPIERENCE. AND I WILL COME BACK. FACT IS I'LL BE BACK IN SEPTEMBER FOR MY HIGH SCHOOL 50 TH REUNION. BOY WILL THAT BE FUN, MAKIN' FUN OF ALL THE BALD FAT GUYS. LOL. I'M STILL A SKINNY GUY WITH LOTS OF HAIR.
BACK TO THE PARKS. I THINK THE ALCOHOL RULES ARE GREAT. AND NO I AM NOT A TEETOTALER. I'VE DRANK MORE THAN MY FAIR SHARE. ASK JIM BEAM IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME.
SO YOU CAN BE PROUD OF YOUR STATES PARK SYSTEM AND REMEMBER THOSE FOLKS THAT PATROL THE PARKS WITH LAW AND ORDER ARE ABOVE MINIMUM WAGE CATEGORIES BECAUSE THEY ARE COLLEGE GRADS.
IT SURE WOULDN'T BOTHER ME ONE LITTLE BIT TO PAY AN ENTRY FEE FOR THE PARKS. EVEN HERE IN NORTH DAKOTA THERE ARE FEES AT SOME PARKS. AND WE DON'T HAVE BUCKET LOADS OF MONEY LIKE YOU EASTERNERS DO.
AT LEAST YOU DON'T HAVE TO WALK AROUND GARBAGE AND DRUG NEEDLES LIKE IN THE PAST. CONSIDER YOURSELF FORTUNATE NOW.
WELL ENOUGH OF MY TIRADES. GOT A RIFLE THAT JUST CALLED ME THAT WANTS TO BE FIRED.
TAKE CARE AND COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, EVEN THOUGH IT COSTS YOU A FEW CENTS.