You're no Blu!

Terry Harp, you're no Blu, but you are the new and improved version!

My family spent this New Year's at Tishomingo State Park in Mississippi. Thirty years ago, we spent every New Year's at Tishomingo State Park with five other families with all our children and dogs. This year, our children, grandchildren, and significant others made the trek.

Thirty years ago, we all lived in Columbus, Mississippi. Six families with children around the same age, we mostly lived on Southside and the kids mostly attended public schools when the private school was all the rage. We mostly lived in old houses with sidewalks, and went to the Episcopal Church. Every Sunday, we all went on a picnic together, or to the Cade's house to swim and drink beer. Every New Year's, we loaded whatever old cars we had that year and headed two hours up the road to Tishomingo State Park. This year, we came from Maryland, Illinois, Alabama, and Washington DC. Life used to be simpler.

Thirty years ago, Blu was the Park Ranger who drove an old beat-up pickup truck, brought us firewood, and took the children and dogs all over the Park in the back of his truck. Terry Harp took over as Park Ranger this past July. I'm not sure Blu could read and write. Terry probably has a master's degree in something. Both know how to take care of folks and make folks feel at home.

Thirty years ago, Blu was always waiting for us to arrive. This year, Terry was at the entrance gate when we got there after dark on New Year's Day and was on duty until 10 that night. Blu knew we wanted firewood and had it at each cabin when we arrived. Terry delivered the firewood as soon as he knew we wanted it at each cabin. Blu wore overalls. Terry had a spotless uniform on every day. Both were equally friendly and interested in who we are and where we came from.

Thirty years ago and this year, we hiked the trails, crossed and re-crossed the swinging bridge, cooked together, stared into the fire, and talked and talked and talked. We're talking about going back next year. Mahlone, our youngest daughter, is 28 and getting married in April. She was 10 days old the first time she went to Tishomingo State Park for New Year's. There are other family dynamics that make it tough to plan such a trip a year from now. But we did it this year and everybody came and it was fantastic!

Thanks, Tishomingo and Blu and Terry, for making our lives better and taking care of us.