Ghost town

September 10th, 2002

This was a fine evening. I took the motorcycle for a ride up to Washburn for supper. To avoid construction and for the scenery, I took highway 1804. All along that twisty, hilly road one can look to West and see the Missouri below and buttes, standing above all else.

Once back in Bismarck, I realized how superb tonight's weather really was. The wind was calm and the temp was just right. For a change of pace, I did something I don't believe I've ever done before. I went for a walk in my own neighborhood.

In the year or so that I've lived here, I've sped through these streets on my bicycle and in my pickup. But I am not sure I've ever just taken a stroll. What I found was surprising.

Homes, packed tightly together, line the streets near my building. Thousands of people live near me. The strange thing is, the streets were empty and all was silent.

I remember years ago, on beautiful night such as this, running about the neighborhood playing hide and seek, cops 'n robbers, or some such game with my friends. The small town where I grew up was filled with the sound of kids playing, running loose, and having a blast.

Tonight, I saw many houses. Each had a car in the driveway and a light in the window. Not a soul was out of doors.

It's my guess that the kids and their parents were all indoors, watching television, playing video games, and doing homework. It's a shame.

I swear, television is evil. In support of my claim that T.V. is addictive, consider the new ad campaign of my cable company. The slogan is simply "Get Hooked!" They couldn't have said it better. I weren't addicted, I'd have a grand time smashing my set to bits.