The Urban Archeologist: Lost and Found in Time

if you were never able to go to college, or were left unfulfilled when you had to leave your alma mater, no matter; there is a world of knowledge waiting to jump into your head - you only need to let it in.

On any given weekend I will enter a home, begin to dig, and ask myself, “Why am I doing this?” Only to travel to the next home, or the one after that, find something amazing, to which the  reply comes, “Oh yea, that’s why.”

I visited 3 sales on Saturday, the first was my reason for hitting the road, as it seemed an intriguing estate sale. As I got closer, I began to notice all the signs read “tag sale.”  I began to dread heading in this direction; no one likes false advertising.

Upon arrival I realized that this was neither a tag sale nor an estate sale; new owners were clearing out their purchase from the hasty exit of the previous occupants. It was still a dig, but sad and uninspiring, and though I tried to find some answers, I could not.

The next stop was a tag sale of opportunity, being just around the corner, it was difficult to pass up. It too, however, was a dead-end road marketed as a “cul-de-sac,” a driveway sale with housewares and kids toys and no story. My free time almost gone, I chose to backtrack rather than chance a sale in another town.

In an older part of town, I wended my way through wood-lined chicanes and minor switchbacks on the faith of a single sign. My reward was another driveway sale with parking destined to raise my insurance premiums.

Safely parked, I noticed an assortment of boxes and lots containing garage and basement junk - a good sign - which means a slash and burn approach to moving out. Maybe this one would be different.