An Enchanted Sunday (with the Karas Brothers)
Channel: bullfrog1954
Date: 2020-08-11

For now...forget the Day Odyssey thing or even the railfanning thing, as we're about to go back in time-to our childhood! In an adult way, of course, assuming that's possible...

At one time, Baltimore had its own Enchanted Forest, providing a place for parents with young children to take them to "meet" with their storybook characters. Originally located on the latter-day National Pike (US 40), the Forest lasted from the 1950s through the 90s. Threatened with demolition, as many of the original attractions as possible were saved and transported to Clark's Elioak Farm, a few miles east of Ellicott City (yes, our Ellicott City!) for re-erection and reopening.

Join the Karas brothers in their first joint effort as they relive their childhood memories! We originally visited in 1966, when I was 12-and my brother was 5! Admission was only a buck or so back then (even less for kids); tickets purchased at the site. Now, admission is $8 and have to be purchased online; animal feed and "train" ride extra). Watch as brother Pete and I try to relive certain moments in time, including recreating one! It's said we can't go back. Maybe not physically. Might be true in a sense, but with the right "ingredients" we can at least revisit the childhood mindset! Not a thing wrong with that, as I believe all us grownups still have a bit of that childhood innocence waiting for the right time and place to manifest itself. We loved this as kids; might be the perfect adult therapy in these trying times. I'm not exactly the philosophical type, but that's my take.

We'll first visit the original site on the Pike. Now mostly a shopping center, but a small tract of the original Forest exists behind. Supposedly it would be a bad idea to trespass on the original tract, but much of it visible from the end of the parking lot.

Then-on to Clark's Elioak Farm to check out the modern-day version of the Forest. Watch as the Karas brothers literally become kids again! Little Boy Blue, The Crooked Old Man, Jack and Jill, Humpty Dumpty and more...they're all here! We're thinking "there's nothing wrong with this!!" as we explore (or, should I say re-explore) everything we did back in 1966! While I dig doing the Odyssey thing, I have to admit it was great seeing the Forest stuff again! ALL adults should do this on occasion! Gotta admit-fun playing with the "aminals" too! All in all-we felt like kids again! We even took the "train" ride!

After that-guess what-we do the "driving video" thing again, as per usual! With the help of our virtual ladies, Alexa and Kate (well-at least we have a couple ladies of some kind with us), we take a slight odyssey to historic White's Ferry on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal! I've taken you there before, but this was brother Pete's first time, and he seemed to like it. And, of course, gave him a look at something near and dear to my heart-the C&O Canal. Had many a bike ride on it myself, including a 369-mile round trip in 1997, shooting a documentary of it from a bike seat! Preview clips posted.

And-even railfanning! Actually "accidental" railfanning; stopped at Barnesville Station for Pete to have a look when suddenly...well, you can figure out the rest. I started by saying forget these things, then we wind up doing them!

Had a great day with brother Pete! We'll be doing an occasional future project together...once I get through some of this backlog of videos I have yet to edit, including two more Odysseys! For now-enjoy this trip back in time. Well-kinda sorta. 

Done on June 21 2020.

And, once again-links to brother Pete's videos in case you haven't viewed yet:

The link to brother Pete's Enchanted Forest video
https://youtu.be/6yapoU7Cs04

Brother Pete's YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/user/beatlepete

Original Preview Video
https://youtu.be/e9J-tR1iRhc