Looking North...
This is the south entrance to the drainage tunnel under the old football and baseball field that we used to go through as a rite of passage. Scary the first time through, dark and damp, bent over so far we walked like a gorilla. The entrance has had some modifications over the years, but still brings back lots of memories. Some people would tell Mr. Baker when guys were in the tunnel, and he would try to intercept them.
I carry a camera at all times, and went to look this up today after thinking about it over the weekend. I wonder if some kids later than 1956 ever went through? The other end is on private property and I can't easily get a photo of it, but am still trying.
Just thought some of you might get a kick from seeing this!
OMG.. that was over one eighth of a mile under ground in absolute darkness. How did we ever do it?? Tommy.
ReplyDeleteIt seemed farther than that. There was a slight right turn we estimated under the area of 3rd base of the baseball field. That caused a little stomach churn my first time to go through.
DeleteCarl, did you ever crawl the culvert that paralleled the highway? It went from the new elementary school north across the football field and baseball field and exited behind the home plate area. I navigated that one in 1952 at the age of ten with a flashlight. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I don't remember it being big enough to gorilla walk in. I think I had to crawl the entire distance.
ReplyDeleteYes, I did! We walked bent forward as far as possible and touched the sides and bottom to keep from falling. It was very tiring after the trip through! After you got into the tunnel, nothing to do but go ahead - the "seasoned trip masters" got behind you and wouldn't let you go back after once started. Carbon flashlight batteries from those days would not last the entire trip so another set was taken.
DeleteI've grown claustrophobic in my old age but it never bothered me as a youngster. The only thing that worried me was the chance of a snake! I would turn on the flashlight, peer as far I could then turn it off and start crawling. I did not tell anyone I was doing that so no one pressured me.
ReplyDelete