ONCE UPON A TIME IN MORAVIA, NY

JUNE 2003 (to be exact)

            In the summer of 2003, Lyndon and I got back together for a couple months starting in June. We had mutually agreed that since it was summer and we could be more energetic and active, we could probably make it work. One of our ideas was to go to Moravia to a place I like to go to when I can because I loved it as a kid: Fillmore Glen Park. It was a huge area of trees, trails (stone and dirt), waterfalls, and camping areas and we both liked hiking.

            When we got there we were shocked to discover that the price to park there was eight dollars. Full speed ahead even still, we parked and walked for at least an hour or two along trails that were exactly the same but completely different. We walked along the trails for a while and stopped to rest in an open area with a picnic table. We ate Fig Newtons and had a very good conversation. The place was also apparently being rented out to quite a large party, which we were amused to discover had a huge inflatable hippo slide for the kids.  I had to try it out on the way out, of course.

            Driving out we happened to see a poster for the Moravia fair on a telephone pole. I ran the dates through my mind and found out that today was one of the days it was supposed to be running. I asked Lyndon if he wanted to go and he thought it was a great idea, so instead of turning right to go back toward Groton I turned left into town. Lyndon asked me if I knew where it was and I answered that Moravia wasn't so big of a town that it would be difficult to find. It turned out I was right, we could see the fair easily. We parked across the street next to a car wash and walked into the fair.

            We went on every ride that wouldn't make Lyndon or I sick, some twice. Lyndon tried out a Ferris wheel for the first time and it freaked him out on the first descent even though it wasn't a very big wheel. Our one taste of the Moravia lifestyle was a carnie who figured out we were a couple while getting on a ride called the Scrambler. I had locked us in efficiently (amusement park ride bars are definitely not rocket science) and when he came by and noticed that, he said I must have experience putting things in holes. My jaw dropped as he walked away and I had to ask Lyndon for confirmation that he had actually said that, and Lyndon's barely repressed laughter was all the answer I needed. We had an awesome time.

            I know Moravia isn't like an actual trip, especially just for a camping area and a local fair, but it was one of the best times I ever had, let alone with Lyndon. That was probably the peak of our relationship, so it warranted mention. The day's weather was perfect, Fillmore Glen had been a spontaneous idea and the fair even more so. I think both of us mentioned how much our cheeks hurt from smiling that day. Thus it has been documented.

Get back to more miles on my mind