Earlier this week, my husband and I were watching American Pickers on The History Channel. For those who aren’t familiar with the show, it depicts the adventures of two businessmen who buy historical items from collectors. This occupation rarely takes them to pristine locations since they often find their treasures in neglected yards and storage sheds. This week, a declaration from Mike struck me. I posted his paraphrased comment to Facebook and Twitter:

We are watching American Pickers. Mike said kids should take a field trip to a junk yard to learn about history. Um, I’m thinking Mike is not a parent. #tetanus #rats #filth

I hail from a rural area so I’m not a big city snob. Maybe that’s the reason why I think of inherent dangers first. I was taught to be cautious with respect to the outdoors.

My comment earned a couple of “favorites” on Twitter but some of my Facebook friends agreed with Mike. I enjoyed reading their ideas and some accounts of visiting junk yards. And though Daddy hasn’t visited a junk yard lately, my friends’ insights spurred memories of how he occasionally visited them in the past because he needed parts to, “Keep my junk cars on the road.”

I don’t have plans to visit a junk yard any time soon. But my friends took me to another time and place, and renewed my perspective.

Your Turn:

What location would you like for a book to take you?

Have you ever made a field trip or taken a vacation in part because of a book you have read?