small towns

On the way back from San Francisco yesterday we went through, or near a lot of small towns.

The first part, through California and the middle of Nevada and was on the freeway, so you only get close to the small towns, the last part, through Nevada, Oregon and into Idaho is 2 lane road with a lot of small towns.

Not many are doing too well.

We used to have to slow down going through Rome, Oregon, now there is not even a speed limiting sign. The only business still open is a bar/convenience store/ gas station/RV park, and it does not look terribly prosperous. In Nevada nearly every business has a slot machine or two, with casinos in the smallest towns, but even with that lure, the towns are not doing well.

Daughter Dea lives in a small town, population about 4000 people. The town is 20 square miles in size, but nearly all of that is water. There are several restaurants, a bar or two, some professional offices, and a couple family operated small grocery stores.

But, there is one very successful business that you might not expect: the local hardware store.

As a hardware geek, I find the place a dream. Lowe's may only sell wood screws in over priced little boxes, but the hardware store still has them in bulk, at a better price, I might add. They have a better selection of bolts than than Home Depot. It is a do it your selfer's dream.

The town has a few professional plumbers and electricians with some highly skilled carpenter, but most of the customers at the hardware store seem to be people fixing and repairing their own homes.

I am glad that the hardware store is doing well. I wish Jordan Valley and Rome and Orevada and McDermott were doing better, but they are not.

As our country looses it's small towns, we loose part of our souls, I fear.