Touching History

History, not too far away but not too close, has a unique, mystical quality.

There you can know the previous residents; you can see their hopes and dreams in decay. You can see the care needed, with constant repair now halted. You can see shards of glass, millwork on the lumber, wood or earthen floor, where the stove and bedrooms were, and maybe a forgotten book discarded long ago. You can almost smell the sweat from lost labor. In one such, I found a framed, water stained 1908 hand-written marriage license on the floor.

You are almost directly connected to this place. Take the picture. To me, it’s marvelous.

Now, look at a 14^th century castle on the Rhein (the Rheinstein), today another hotel. Preserved, perfect, historical, but lost to our touch, memory, and affection. Just a pretty old place. Take the picture. Say wow.

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