The cache is located not far from the spot pictured above. The sport of geocaching has brought me to many locations where the remains of previous generations are visible. From crumbling stone foundations to train trestles that no longer support bridges to broken dams which no longer stop the water, I have often wondered, "What was this place like when it was new or still standing? Who lived here and how did they get food and water? How did they build this with the antique equipment of yesteryear?" After some conversations with my family, I realized that some of my ancestral heritage is still standing, albeit barely. Since both my parents and their families are from the area, there are many local places which have special meaning to me. Below are three such places. Please bear with me as I take the time to explain all three.
Exhibit A: Jamison School House: This one room school house still stands near Muddy Creek Forks as it even has an old desk right inside the window. My mother attended this school house for first and some of second grade. She tells the story of her hating school so much that she ran away from the school and went home so she could work on the farm with her dad. The ironic thing - she married a farmer and has a son who now teaches high school.
Exhibit B: Lloyd House: This house is located along a branch of Tom's Creek near Frosty Hill Road in Airville. There are no roads to this house as it is still standing, with nice hardwood floors even, in the middle of a swampy creek bottom. My grandfather James A.Stewart was born in this house and eventually lived and worked a farm about a mile away from here. His greatest fame was raising beagles as people came from far and wide to buy one of Jim Stewart's hunting dogs. He died when I was young and I have only a few scattered memories of him, but the place of his birth still stands for me to see.
Exhibit C: Keeports Tree Carving: Along an old logging road in a state game lands there is a tree with numerous carvings. Some of the tree graffiti dates as far back as 1917. But the one carving that interests me the most is one about chest high that says D.H. Keeports. For you see I was named for David H. Keeports as he was my great grandfather. He owned a nearby store and from what my dad says made the best ice cream around. Apparently, I inherited his broad shoulders and gentle demeanor from what my older relatives say. It is really special knowing I now hike along the same trails as my namesake.
I hope you enjoyed my family history. To find your goal you must look deep....not necessarily into the past but in the details of what lies in front of you.
