A short fiction piece by JoAnn is published on line at The Scrivenery. I was struck by how close to the historical past our paths still take us, not realizing the distance another quarter century could push it back. It's spiffier now, but the feeling's gone. Now, instead of a wondrous discovery, it's a state park with rules and a visitors' parking lot. And the feeling's gone.
Many people know the experience of being drawn inexplicably to a place.
There's no explaining it, but there's a harmony in being there, a shared resonance. I do remember the moment. The index didn't include that heading, and I was chagrined at its absence. I slowly circled the room, peering through doors, head canted to read spine-stamped titles for anything about women in the gold rush. Finding none, I tugged out long card-catalog drawers and one by one thumbed the cards.