Does that bring back memories. Thanks.
I grew up on the edge of town, a block and a half from a very large orchard. On the one side there were shale cliffs under which was a pond and marshy area, and beyond that the railroad yards.
The other side was largely rural and hilly. I had the best sledriding hill a block away. We could run home after a few hours and take off our wet gloves or mittens and exchange ones already dried on the gas heater.
We had forts in the hillside behind a fallen tree root ball.
Usually stored in our forts were item like matches, cigarettes and fireworks and carbide.
We made weapons out of the surroundings.
Read this to my mother over the phone.
Sounds like a wonderful childhood in the country. What a fascinating country area you had. Must’ve been not only lovely but a real place to run and explore.