Was going through some slides from my parents and came across some shots of an intersection that I’ve probably gone through a gazillion times. Route 29 and Gorman/John Hopkins road. When we first moved to Howard County in 1961, Rt 29 was a single lane road each way with no shoulder for good stretches. Most intersections were stop signs.

I remember Dad and Mom stopping at this point and taking these shots of our new neighborhood signs and the Southern States store across the road, along with many more shots around the neighborhood. And yes that is the family powder blue 57 Chevy. Also notice the two Postal Employees installing a mailbox on the corner that day. You can see their truck on the other side of the road behind our car.

Crossing Rt 29 used to be almost a daily pastime on summer days. Gather enough change to walk up to the Southern States store and stand in front of this wonderful soda machine with a big glass door. The sodas were lined up on the right side and a thin vertical door would open when you paid for them. Nehi Grape, Root Beer and refreshing Orange. RC Cola’s and YooHoo’s. Never liked the YooHoo’s. And eventually I believe a Coke machine. But then our parents didn’t like us crossing Rt 29, even though it was a single lane each way road with little traffic.

So we used to collect bottles along the road and take them to Scaggsville Market at Rt 216 and 29 and turn them in for penny’s and nickels to get more treats. Boy life was simple at that age. Woods where we would build forts and new homes to wander through as they were being built. Most people never even locked their doors. And if you did I’m sure several of your neighbors had keys.

I still have many friends from growing up in this neighborhood. Many wonderful memories of fun, games, playing every sport known to man and some we would make up,  late night antics as we grew into our young teens. But just like us it has aged. In most spots well but in some time has taken its toll.

Which brings me to present day. For even though we sold our family home in 2007, if my memory is correct, I’m blessed with having a best friend who brought a home in the same neighborhood about 30 years ago. So I’m still going though the same old intersections on a frequent basis. I pass it twice a day still on work days. It’s a six lane highway today that still gets clogged. You wouldn’t dare run across it even if you can run a 4.5  4o yard dash. And while much has changed, much remains the same.

All I know is that there is a strange comfort passing this spot frequently. I guess because it has been such a fine memory.

So as these guys finish installing that mailbox, I’ll finish rambling on about my youth for the moment. But it does make me glad I took the time to look through some old slides and share some of Howard County in 1961 or 62. Not positive which year on these, but it is one of the two.