Eureka!

My mom dug up a bunch of old childhood pictures and posted them on facebook.  Good thing I was a cute kid.  Apparently I like to sit around in buckets...

These pictures got me thinking about some of my childhood escapades and I thought I'd share one of my most vivid childhood adventures with you.

I have many memories from my childhood of my father, while being out and about, "tidying up" our general surroundings by picking up trash off the ground, or a discarded soda can, or something to that effect.  Call it community beautification if you will.  Not that we lived in a dump, but let's be honest, the "litter-bugs" are plentiful in the world.  I've continued after his example and often will pick up some errant eye-sore of rubbish and deposit it in the nearest appropriate receptacle.

Well my father turned this tendency into quite a game for his little lads, one that encouraged community beautification, recycling, the thrill of earning something for your work, and the sweet reward of one's labor.... Yes this game I am dubbing "Eureka!" which just so happens to be the California State Motto meaning "I have found it" (a nod to the gold rush days of yore).


Here is how it would go


Armed with our trash bag and a healthy amount of boy energy begging to be expended, we'd head off to the nearest community hang out spot.  These tended to be slightly out of the way places, often affording a view of the city, which evidently served as a perfect spot to park and drink beer.  I say evidently, because we'd be the ones cleaning up the evidence.

Piling out of the car, with a "go, go, go!" from my dad, we were off on a treasure hunt for discarded cans and bottles.  Upon finding one we'd shout out "Eureka Dad!" and proudly hold it up for him to see.  We then deposit the can or bottle into our bag (sometimes having to first pour out the final swig left behind).  When we found a jackpot of cans or bottles, instead of Eureka! we'd shout the more emphatic "Bonanza!"

After cleaning out one or more of these hang out spots by scouring the bushes, hillside, and anywhere we could safely scavenge, we were off to the local recycling center.  Sometimes our cans and bottles were counted, but most often they were separated and weighed.  Each can was good for a nickel or so.  When you are a little kid, exchanging old cans for a handful of change is tantamount to finding money growing on trees.

With a jingling pocket full of nickels, dimes, and quarters, we'd make a beeline to the grocery store's bulk candy section.  Again, from a child's perspective, standing in the candy aisle with a some coinage burning a hole in your pocket was a very good place to be.  We'd hand pick five or six pieces of our favorites, carefully counting our change to make sure we maximized our purchases.

I can tell you, that was some of the best tasting candy I've ever had!


Adventure Title: Eureka!
Location: Your local community
Gear: A trash bag, preferably one per child
Summary: "Treasure hunt" for recyclable cans and bottles from wherever you can find them. Turn them in for $$ at the recycling center and spend the $$ immediately on candy
Essential Vocabulary: "Eureka!" (I have found it) upon finding a can or bottle.  "Bonanza!" upon finding a jackpot of cans and bottles.
Other thoughts:  Watch out for broken glass bottles.  Not sure if this is the case anymore, but the bushes near elementary and middle schools were often a bonanza for empty soda cans.