Or being worried about being kidnapped or anything. We were always out in the woods or cornfields, skinny dipping or shooting things. It was the picture perfect midwest childhood.
My formative kid years were spent in a small Ohio village, on a river, surrounded by hills. I was just back there last October, and couldn't believe how tiny it actually is/was. I swear the whole place had shrunk. Then again, I suppose things seem further apart on foot, or on a bike, than they do as an adult riding in a car.
On warm days, when school was out, and it wasn't raining, we got kicked out of the house after breakfast. We'd be back home around lunch time, or at someone else's house, without warning, or telling anyone where we were. (We didn't realize all the Mom's were in touch by phone.) We had to be home by 5:00 for supper, then outside again 'til the street lights came on.
We could bring anyone we wanted with us for lunch, but when Dads were home for dinner, it had to be by invitation only. Dads didn't cope with 'surprises' as well as Moms.
While we were out, we were free to roam wherever. Again, we didn't realize the whole town was watching out for us. We thought we were totally free, and completely on our own.
Everyone older than us had the inherent right, if not the duty, to yell at us if we were caught being bad, or doing something dangerous. Not only would our parents back them up, but also thank them, rather than rail at them for disciplining their kids. In that sense, we could never win.
Those years were the best in my life. I'll cherish those times forever. Too bad I didn't understand that at the time. We were just being kids, which was Awesome!