Hello all! Ready for adventure? For our first venture, we need inspiration and destination. So let me take you to the world of pure imagination. This is where you can go wherever and whenever you want to! Let’s go exploring!
Let me take you to the 1950’s . Here we are just outside of New York city, in a little village called Sleepyside, in the Hudson river valley.
There is a little farm house nestled in a hollow on a country road. This farm house clearly dates back at least to the civil war, if not farther back. It is beautiful and picturesque. There are apple orchards, gardens kept immaculate with neat rows of vegetables and flowers, a hen house, and dog house. There is a welcome atmosphere of sweet hospitality, and a cheerful busy hum about the place.
Next to it is a hill with a large and imposing manor house. This estate is grand and extensive. Beautiful lawns slope down from the mansion, and lead down to a gatehouse, now a club house for adventure kids in their teens. Long stables and extensive corals are to the left.
Let’s stroll down the paths and see what else is on this large estate. The tennis courts look like fun. Oh, and look at that sparkling lake! Complete with a boat house and diving board, there is a lot of time that could be spent here, but let us move on to the game preserve. Oh my, what a labyrinth of trails thorough the woods! I think we will have to horseback ride through the paths. Let’s go up to the house and meet The Bob Whites of the Glen, and maybe take a ride.
Meet Trixie Belden. She is one of my favorite girl detectives…bright, energetic, inquisitive, and full of mischief and fun; adventure seems to follow her everywhere. But she is impulsive and a little bit tomboyish. Her stubborn streak leads her to be occasionally thoughtless too. This is why she needs her family and friends.
Meet Trixie’s three brothers. Brian is the eldest. He is tall, thoughtful, quiet, wise, and caring. His ambition is to become a doctor. Mart is Trixie’s almost twin, and is forever teasing her, and bringing her back down to earth. He always has a joke to brighten the mood, and loves to use long and complicated words, to Trixie’s great annoyance. However, dare anyone try to harm Trixie, and Mart is the first to spring to her side. He is really very clever, and often knows how to get out of the situations Trixie gets herself into. Bobby is Trixie’s kid brother, a little boy full of mischief. They all live in the Belden farm house, owned by generations of Beldens. Mrs. Belden calls it the house with expandable walls, since, no matter how many guests dine and lodge there, there is always enough room.
Honey Wheeler is a sweet and gentle girl, about Trixie’s age, who loves to sew and help others. She lives in the big manor house with her adopted brother, Jim. He loves the woods and outdoors, and wishes to start a school for orphan boys. He plans for lessons to be sandwiched between outdoor sports and skills learning, such as wilderness navigation, hunting, boating etc.
Diana Lynch and her family live in another large estate nearby. Her kid twin brothers and sisters keep Bobby company. She is shy and quiet, but lovely and in need of friends. She wishes to help others, and wants one day to be a flight stewardess..
Dan Mangan is Reagan’s (the Wheelers stable groom) nephew, and he works for Mr. Maypenney, the elder gentleman who manages and patrols the Wheelers game preserve. Dan is an orphan, and turned loose on the streets of New York, was headed in the wrong direction. He became a member of a tough street gang, until he met the Bob Whites. Through a series of events, he is forced to make a decision between right and wrong and winds up saving a little boy’s life…but that is a story that I will not spoil. His dream is to become a New York police officer, and minister to troubled boys, just like he was, stopping crime.
As we ride through the woods, Trixie tells of her many adventures. “Our main purpose as a club is to help others in need. We wish to be like brothers and sisters to those who need assistance.”
“That’s right,” chimes in Jim, “And we have been able to raise money for many needy causes, including orphans around the world.”
“If only trouble didn’t follow Trixie everywhere. We would be able to devote our time to more serviceable undertakings, if Trixie were not so resolved to ensnare and apprehend every malefactor in the canton.”says Mart.
“Oh but Mart, Trixie has been able to solve some complicated cases, which have saved a lot of people,” Diana cries out.
“That’s right” Honey puts in loyally, “And you have enjoyed every minuet, Mart.”
“I am just glad that she was rescued from that awful gang of jewel thieves in New York.” Dan puts in , “I was awful frightened when you disappeared.”
“That was queer the way that all those men kept following Trixie after she bought that statue. Who would have thought that it had eyes made of real emeralds.” Brian comments.
As we continue through the woods at a brisk trot, Trixie and her friends, describe how they have tracked down clues, recovered diamonds and jewels, narrowly escaped capture by the crooks, outwitted imposters, fled entrapment, uncovered a family heirloom from the civil war and returned it to its rightful descendant, discovered special codes and treasures from the past, found missing persons, and even stopped international smugglers!
They have taken trips to islands, and lighthouse, beautiful southern mansions, and sailed on the Mississippi river. They traveled in trailers across the country, and rescued Jim and Dan. They have run fundraisers for worthy causes, and assisted many people.
All of this was done in and around their wholesome outdoor lives of riding, swimming, managing the Belden farm, skiing, sledding, skating, exploring, and enjoying the classy village diner. These days were simpler days, but rich with exploration, responsibility, and Americana values. These were the days that children were raised to honor God, country, elders, and family. They were taught to live polite, and gracious lives full of service.
I wish we could linger, but the horses need to be stabled, and the light in the woods is fading. We will have to come back again another time.
But I urge you to explore Trixie’s adventures. Trixie Belden was written Julia Campbell, and Kathryn Kenny. Find her stories, and join her on her next mystery! Maybe she will need your help in solving the crime.
Comment below on your favorite classic vintage juvenile detective series, or a mystery that you enjoyed solving amongst the pages of a book.