here's a little diddy, about meghann d. ...driving somewhere, in the country





Wednesday, September 15, 2010

ode to small towns

some of my most thankful thoughts on this road trip so far have been for not only the many highways that i have driven, but that most of them were windy and unspoiled.  two lanes...un-conjested and not under-construction.  they have been scenic and mysterious, picturesque and leading.  and some of my greatest finds have been the small town.

perphaps too small to deticate much time too, but all the same exactly what i'm looking for.  i've encounter, that though they may not be consistent, there are a few things that each of them will share:
1.  a restaurant.  [ most likely breakfast, counter style...but could stray ]
2.  a separate but equally necessary, tavern or bar. [ also open as early as possible ]
3.  some sort of food procuring space [ most notably a grocery, but could be a farmers' market ]
4.  and a well marked u.s. post office [ definitely my favorite consistancy ]

nothing like a hotel, hospital, movie theater, or school can be guaranteed.  or a gas station for that matter.  it can be seen as a bland way of life, but i believe that they just have it down to the things that actually need worry about.  a belly full, side of libations, and contacts to the ones you love not around you.  and as an outsider, you can get spotted fairly quickly...some to open arms that want to tell you everything about everything, and to some with tight lips and moving eyes.  none of it harmfull, just looking to size you up.   

each of these small towns, a blip on the map, lead me to reno, nevada.  which can not admit to being small, but instead home to tasty chili rellenos and hot air balloon races [ which i mistakingly thought was a balloon arch to a running race, not an actually hot air balloon race.  i totally would of gotten up at 3.30am if i would of know what was going on! ]  home to an off road race stampede and gentlemen's club with city famous prime rib.  and though not vegas, still similarly ' what happens in reno, stays in reno. ' 

so thus i will leave you now.

recommendations:
     'i just drove through a friggin' tree!'  and you should too.  it's five bucks, but the phrase is priceless.  leggett, ca off of pacific coast highway 1...pretty northily up there.
    
     ca 299 takes you directly through eureka, ca. [ pop. 28,000 ]  and though i didn't stop, the number being to large, i would advise the admiration that they are still small enough to have lettered streets ranging from A to V...leaving a little room to grow i might wager.
   
     and as far as reno, just do something that you never thought you'd do...or that you don't think you can do anywhere else.

1 comment:

  1. Glad you made it through a tree and through Eureka/Arcata, my home! Rock on

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