Down to the Blacktop.

As our two sons were growing up, like all children, they were allowed to expand the range of exploring distance from our home. At first, they were allowed to visit only the nearest neighbors, those that lived not more than two houses away. Little by little they were allowed to go a little farther away from our home base. At one point in time, the line of demarcation that the boys were not to cross was about a block away from our house. Since there was fresh asphalt up to a certain point on our street about a block away, this offered a visual line for the boys. Occasionally, the neighborhood children would ride their bikes to this newly paved asphalt, or the family would take a walk to the end of our block. We all referred to this point as the "blacktop." Although all of the road was blacktop, the newer portion of the road was darker. Furthermore, the children said "we are going down to the blacktop" Also, the family walks were frequently, "down to the blacktop." Eventually, the entire service road was repaved, and there was no difference in the color of the pavement. However, the saying remained if we planned a walk, we were going "down to the blacktop."

Early the other morning, the floor of the computer room shook. After figuring out that we were not experiencing an earthquake, I looked in front of the house and saw this.
and this

and so far these machines have created this

In a few days, more workers will surely return and pave over our street one more time. There will be no line of demarcation at the end of the block. There will be no difference in color of the asphalt, but if we walk to the end of the block with our grandchildren, we will more than likely say, we are walking "down to the blacktop." Some sayings are like that. The reason for the expression disappears, but the saying remains.