Friday, June 8, 2012

Some folk call it small, but…

I am from a small town, well most North Carolina towns are small. Small towns hold some wonders that is overlooked by many.

Sometimes we have the opportunity to overnight in small communities. We eat out in these places, and always look for the favorite home town café . Our little town of Belmont has White’s Café. I used it in my book ‘Rags’.  I do happen to know the owners and have for many years. Great folks.  I used the line from owner‘s mom in the book. Once I said that Carroll was a great guy. Her comeback was, “He should be, he was raised in the White house.”

But back to the subject. We have really enjoyed walking the small main streets for exercise and informative entertainment. Once we had an annoying squeak I could not find. I wanted a grease gun. (I think we were coming East in Kansas).  That night in a VERY  SMALL town, I found a mechanic. He said, “I can’t sell you one but you can use mine, I’ll close soon, just bring it back and lay it on the steps.”  I didn't borrow it, but isn’t that wonderful to meet someone like that?

Just a few days ago I embarrassed myself. While shopping I left our van lights on. DEAD BATTERY.   I hate to ask strangers for help. I did raise the hood, hoping a good Samaritan would come by. We belong to ‘Good Sam’s Road assistance’. Sherry called them.  While she was talking to someone in California, two generous men offered to help. Sherry cancelled the request for help. The man who jumped the battery would accept nothing for the kindness.  Nice folks exist.

We were camping down near Paula’s stomping grounds (San Antonio) and decided to find a small town to walk in. On the map, Bandera looked and sounded good. As we walked around the town we found a one man museum. Small but a really neat place.

Once leaving Yellowstone into Wyoming we came to a small town called Basin. Population around 1000 and it was the county seat. They offered free RV sites with full hook ups. We missed that but stayed at a spot for $10 a night (honor system).

We found the local café, Sherry was chilled and did not bring a sweater (UNUSUAL) so we went next door to a thrift shop and found one for 50 cents.( I apologize for the length, but I have to tell this.)

Back at the motor home, Sherry was tired. The county fair was next door.  A cowboy and his wife drove into the parking area as I walked over (I was not deaf then). A little cowboy about 5 or 6 jumped out of the p/u bed and said I’ll see you later dad, okay? The answer would astound folks back East or West Coast.

“Sure Son, find someone you know and stick with them, have fun!”  Little cowboy went running between the little girls brushing and cleaning their sheep and boys polishing their goats horns.  That scene has stuck with me, and at that time it put me back 50 years to North Carolina where that could have happened.

Thanks for coming by the log.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Small is all in how you look at it.

*************************************************

cowboy eeeeee

This could have been that cowboy’s pickup.

9 comments:

shirl72 said...

I remember the good ole days.
Life was so easy and you trusted
everyone. We still have good people but the bad ones are right in there doing their thing.

I just hold on to my old saying
Getting Older..God grant me the senility to forget the people I
never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do,
and the eyesight to tell the difference.

Shirl

TARYTERRE said...

Those were the days when you could trust a stranger. My how things have changed. But every now and then you come across a place where goodness still shines through and the people are angels in disguise.. Like the places you have visited. TAKE CARE.

Rose said...

I remember the days when you could trust strangers. Sad, we seldom see that kindness today.

Loved this Post.

Hugs, Rose

Cher' Shots said...

LOVED this post. Love you two. Hey, we happen to live in a small town. It has an antique store (old motel) with 30 rooms filled, an old fashioned Ben Franklin Dime store (where I challenge you to find anything for a dime anymore) and a few good places to eat (besides our house) hint hint!!
'love & hugs from afar'

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

Wouldn't it be great if we could all live like those folks in small towns ! Glad you got your battery charged up that happens to us all at one time or another. I have AAA auto club for assistance when I need it. It's a beautiful day in Ohio and just perfect camping weather!

betty said...

Interesting story with the little one being dropped off at the fair! That would indeed not happen here, even as old as 13-14 I would still be reluctant to do so; trust! And that's what we don't have here. Plus too many people, no one knows anyone here. Loved the stories, there are honest people out there, good people, good for you to remind us of that Jack!

betty

Chatty Crone said...

Well I think it is great to hear about positive happy stories about people. There are a lot of great people in this world. Glad you found some. sandie

Lucy said...

When we lived on the farm we never locked anything. I don't think there was even a key. Yesterday an older lady stepped out of her house and was going shopping and had her purse with her. 3 teen age boys told her they wanted to go in her house. She refused and before it was over grabbed her purse out of her hands and ran. It was in broad day light, Times have changed.

DD said...

Good to be reminded of those carefree days of trust in people. I remember those days very well.
Enjoyed the entry, DD