I have a key ring that reads: “Some days all I want to be is a missing person.”
In times of great stress and fatigue — like now, for instance — I really do want to “go missing” for a little while. We’ve reached the point of the semester when everything is due, and no one has time to do much more than survive the next assignment.
Clearing the mind for an hour or two or five, however, might help all of us handle the rest of the semester better. We’ve got a three-day weekend coming up for Easter, as well as that final weekend before finals.
Other than sleep, getting out of town for a bit would be a lovely option to relieve the stress and fatigue. A change of scenery, a road trip, shall we say, to somewhere else, anywhere else, would be good, as long as it’s legal and doesn’t cost much.
For example, go to a park and swing on the swings or play on the slide. No one should ever be too old to swing or slide, though older folks may physically regret it the next day. Sit on a bench and contemplate the flora and fauna. Listen to the music of water in a fountain. On a warm day, go no farther than the splash pad in downtown Martin.
Those who like to bike or hike, or learn new things, can find plenty of other places to go nearby. Reelfoot Lake offers boardwalks and eagles, along with seismic education on the New Madrid fault line. Camping is available there and at Paris Landing State Park on Kentucky Lake. Before you get to Paris Landing, check out the replica Eiffel Tower in Paris, or tour the Paris Winery.
Keep driving past Paris Landing, across the lake, and on to Dover, home of Fort Donelson National Battlefield. It features lots of Civil War history and a great view of the Cumberland River.
Within an hour or so to the north of Martin is Columbus-Belmont State Park on a bluff above the Mississippi River. Paducah, Ky., features the National Quilt Museum, or head across to the Illinois side of the Ohio River and visit the Superman Museum in Metropolis. Fort Massac is nearby on the Ohio River.
An adventure in dining can be had at Lambert’s Cafe in Sikeston, Mo., “the only home of throwed rolls.” Yes, indeed, bread will be lobbed at your head during dinner.
Of course, a bit closer to campus, the Discovery Park of America in Union City showcases much of the area’s history, culture and science, among other things, in its numerous exhibits.
For those who like the food, games, parades and music associated with festivals, three are coming up soon. From April 18-28 is the World’s Biggest Fish Fry in Paris; from April 26-May 3 is the Tennessee Iris Festival in Dresden; and for those who have nothing to do between finals and Maymester, consider the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival in Humboldt planned for May 4-10.
I’ve barely scraped the surface of interesting things going on near Martin. Do some Web searches and find other places off the beaten path that cost little and give lots in terms of rest and relaxation.
Meanwhile, hang in there — the semester is nearly finished.
And when it is, I think I’ll just jump in my Jeep and jet.
Graphic credit: Joey Plunk
