Last week on my way home from a client in Queens, I got off of Brooklyn’s Belt Parkway and took a detour to the neighborhood I grew up in. Liz laughed at me for doing it. She couldn’t understand why I had to go and visit the neighborhood that I grew up in again. All I could say to her was that I was looking for memories. You see, Brooklyn was such a fine place to grow up in, and I have such fine memories of living there. Every time I go back I see things that make me smile, and give me a warm feeling.

I mention all of this because I just spent the last hour “looking for memories” in the Vintage forum. This evening I sat down at my computer and opened the Vintage forum. I expected to see some postings in the Presidential Election thread and wanted to see if there were any interesting new topics. What I found was a thread by MsPerky that had been started in 2013 titled “Spring Fling 1-9 – A trip down memory lane”. I was reluctant to open it at first thinking that it would just be old news, but I finally convinced myself to click on it.

What I found was some of the most pleasant memories I’d had in a very long time. I read every post and looked at every picture. I clicked on every link and read every post there too. I saw photos from a long time ago. I saw names of people who used to frequent this forum who haven’t been here in a long time, and I read about meets that I’d attended, some of which I’d completely forgotten about.

When I got to the end of the thread and read the last post I was very disappointed. I was having such a good time I'd hoped the thread would go on for another hour. Surely, there must be some more memories to read about, some more pictures to look at and some more good times to think about.

Of course, if I tell Liz that I did this she’ll probably laugh and wonder why I insist on looking for memories. But the truth is, these memories are so pleasant and they bring back such warm feelings. We were a very cohesive group, Vintage was an active forum, the meets were a lot of fun, and our car was very special. Some of that’s still the same, but some has changed. Still, looking at the old thread made me feel very warm inside.

I suppose I’ll always look for memories. Our past is part of what we are today. Besides, some of those memories are really so nice.

 

Check this one,Rob.

https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/778...ite-meet-pics/

 

Rob,
I was born in Wichita Kansas and when I'm back there I like to drive by our old home and my grandparents home, and recall the memories of each place. I understand your post completely.
Haven't been back for several years, but when my Mom passes I will be returning to spread her ashes. I'm sure I'll make that drive again. (it's funny how our house, which seemed HUGE back then looks so small now.)

 

Rob, when I look at all the old photos it makes me wish I would take the time to take pictures and save them properly. But I don't.

 

I think the expression "you can't go home again" applies to some extent. Two of the homes I loved the most (a plantation-style house on the old Navy base in Charleston, SC and the family home of 52 years in McLean, VA I sold last year) are no longer there, and one (Auntie's house in Kinston, NC where I spent many happy times) deteriorated so much in a changing neighborhood, I sold it some years ago after renting it out for awhile. But, as you said, Rob, the memories are wonderful. And I have lots of pictures to remind me how wonderful.

Maybe when the +1 and I get to France (next year?), we can take a ride out to the village of Medan (near Paris) where we lived when my dad was stationed there. I've been back, but not in many years.

EDIT - Well, speaking of memories, I looked through my pics from the old days and found two from France in the 60s. The last pic is from my back yard in Falls Church, VA on the occasion of my parents' surprise 40th anniversary party in 1982.

House in France with my bro playing Peg Leg Pete, and our dog Wispy


Left to right: friend Sarah, who was visiting from the States with Auntie, Auntie, Mother, bro (hamming it up again), sis, yours truly and Wispy


At the party - moi in purple, sis next to me; niece, Mother, another aunt and my mother's dearest friend up front; Dad in middle with black glasses, uncle (black shirt) and Auntie next to him; and other friends and family


I wrote to Sarah recently and sent her that pic, along with a couple of others. I think she'll get a kick out of them.

 

Pretty funny that sis was in a dress with the fork to tend to the steaks.

 

Google Earth lets my visit many "memory" locations without leaving home. The house I grew up in Detroit still looks nice; the area in the bend in the road QL14 (Duc Lap/Duc Minh Vietnam) where my infantry company maintained a fire base for a few months is now across the road from a large artificial lake and is surrounded by cultivated fields rather than jungle. Urban sprawl has replaced the villages.

-- Chuck

 

^ That is a great idea...I just downloaded it onto my PC and am looking at places. Trying to find our house in France. I'm in the town, but can't locate the house yet. Wish I could remember the exact address.

 

I grew up in Baltimore in a small town just outside the city called Hampden. My aunt still lives in a row house which was 2 doors from where I grew up. Hanpden has retained it's strong neighborhood presence and most of the area looks like it did when I lived there. When we visit my aunt I take the time to walk around the old hood. One of the traditions of Baltimore was calling folks "Hon" men to women and women to men, of course. There is even a Hon cafe on the main avenue in Hampden. I walk past the little grocery store I worked in through High School and remember carrying groceries home for people who shopped there. I saved enough there to buy my first car a 57 Chevy Belair convertible. Fighting off the girls for a ride in it. I played baseball, football, and hockey at the local recreational area called "The Rec". My first real job was at the Noxzema Chemical Co. which was about a mile away. I don't have any pictures as I joined the Navy in 64 and moved to Delaware when I was discharged. Thanks for resurrecting this Rob. I had some great memories growing up in Hampden.

 

Great post Rob. I did something similar the other day I went through the your favorite meet pics post and was thinking of the group drives I had been on and all the great people I had meet and unfortunately I just haven't been on any in over 10 years. I remember going to Lake George and you and Adam kindly sharing your room with me. That was a fun trip.
As far as going home again I am fortunate in the the case that my parents still live in the house that I grew up in and still can go home again so I'm appreciating it for now as I know some day that will change.