Get thee to the Ohio

Well peoples, my self-imposed Internet Detox Week has come to a close. I hope you enjoyed the regurgitated posts I scheduled last week. But I'm back now. I have nearly 200 unread items sitting in my Google Reader inbox. I have no idea what is going on in the world. I have no idea what I’ve missed. Emails have gone unanswered and cobwebs have formed over my keyboard and quite possibly my brain. And I’m actually okay with all of this, which is very adaptable of me I think. Sometimes I amaze even myself. Truly a fine specimen I am, I’ll tell you what.

Oh but don’t misinterpret. I did miss you internets. Don’t think I didn’t. I distracted myself with other things, no doubt more important things to be truthful. I tried to remain stalwart and not worry about all the happenings I was missing and instead lived in the moment, enjoying a little vacation.

You see, my detox challenge was done more out of necessity than anything else. I really wasn’t trying to improve myself or test my self-control. These were just lucky bi-products of the fact that my family and I were going to be traveling, doing a lot of this . . .

And this . . .

And this . . .

And of course this . . .

The internet did not factor into these plans, nor did a television or cell phone (for the most part). Alas, I was returning to the place of my childhood, to my roots. I got myself and my family to the Ohio.

Why would I choose Ohio as my vacation destination spot you ask? Well obviously because it is wonderful. Because I used to call it home (sometimes I still do). Because I have family there, particularly my grandmother who had not met two of her great-grandsons yet. Because I have magical memories of this place. Because I love the rolling hills, the lush greenery, the lightning bugs, and even the smell. Because the people have a twang (I used to have that same twang). Because I needed a good sweat. Because comfort food is always on the menu.

If you are familiar with Ohio (not Iowa) you already know why I am fond. You needed no convincing. But to all you others, I’m glad I could be of assistance in helping you with future vacation plans.

And just in case you need an extra nudge, we saw multiple people (all men fortunately or unfortunately) who ride their motorcycles like this:

Shirtless, in their skivvies, no helmet, throwing caution and hair to the wind. Mouthing from Ohio, with love as they pass.

I miss it already. Really I truly do.

Note: I’m feeling a little guilty and must confess that I did check my email once. Someone (perhaps the devil) happened to leave an internet window open on the computer which I chanced upon one evening. Dear reader I succumbed. Briefly. Oh so briefly. And now you know.