AAH or better known as...

A year or two ago, I dropped Bree, Jake and Jim off at a park to play while I went to work for two hours.  In true child nature, someone had to go to the bathroom after being there for 15 minutes.  Since I had the care at work, Jim did the only thing he could.  He walked to the nearest family members house (thank goodness we happen to have a lot of family).  By that point in time and with the fact that they were already almost halfway home, Jim made the decision to just finish walking the rest of the way home.  Along the way Bree kept noticing trash and pop cans and wanted to pick them up.  

Its an event that has always stuck in her head and is the seed that will help her grow into a better person.

(Earth Day report at school)

But then I got to thinking....  

If my daughter wants to make a difference and there just happens to be a program out there that supports it, shouldn't I be involved as well?  

Back in May I submitted my application to 'Adopt A Highway', met with the regional coordinator to pick the highway, and filled out the name plaque that will proudly mark the piece of Earth we promise to keep beautiful.  

And now its official.

The Dominique and Beaty Family are the caretakers of State Route 109 between mile markers 3.3 to 5.4

  

I know what you might be thinking:

Tell me more about this adopt a highway program.  What is involved?  How much time does it take?

I'm so glad you asked.

1. Adopt a Highway program is a two year commitment.

2.  Your commitment is to clean your two mile section of road three times a year.  

Yes just three times, at any time during the year.

Thats it.

On Sunday, August 24th, The Dominique and Beaty Family headed out to do their duties.

It took ten people 2 hours and 20 minutes to complete our two mile stretch.

We filled 28 trash bags. 

We filled 4 bags with beer aluminum cans.

Yep, even Jacob tagged along and pulled his weight.... well kind of.  Somebody might have been pulling it for him in a wagon. 

We found a boat oar, life preserver, beach ball, multiple car parts, and....

...a toad.

The unique silver lining to walking around staring at the ground? 

You notice things you may not have seen otherwise.  Like a beautiful pink rose...

Or a cemetery you have driven by hundreds and hundreds of times but never knew existed.  

So until next time, help keep Ohio's roadways beautiful - Please don't litter.