Monday, February 21, 2005

Why the heck did you go to Spring City?

My friend Adam asked a valid question last night. There's not much to the town on the outside, but something has always drawn me to the small community. Had I lived here all my life, as my friend has, I suppose I would see things differently. I guess I'm drawn to the fact that it's one of the few true "small-town America" experiences left in existence, and I sometimes doubt that can be said of it much longer.

Thegreatknock returned from his trip to Yemen last week and thankfully made his way to my place Saturday afternoon. It had been too long since we picked each other's brain apart. Both wanting to simply take to the road, we headed north and quickly found the Beer Joint (see profile), an abandoned, shady looking hole-in-the-wall establishment that appeared to at one time be a drive-thru liquor shop, if such a thing has ever been possible. I'd noticed the elaborate handlebar mustached man painted on the cinder blocked building on several occasions but never had someone else along to enjoy my amusement.

After that we ventured to The King of Pizza, quite possible the best small-town restaurant I've ever visited, where we were the unknowing special guests for little Johnny's 5th birthday party, at least I guess the kid was about five. Since we don't seem to have a Showbiz Pizza around, we toyed with the idea of holding our own party there, complete with balloons and hats, in celebration of our own birthdays next month. Also, ran into a pair of old acquaintances there, and then visited an eerily beautiful abandoned waterfront park, once operated by TVA, that I happened across one day with Jason Erickson.

Anyway, I just wanted an excuse to post this view of the Tennessee from the abandoned park. Nothing really extraordinary, but I liked it. The End.

Currently Playing It's a Wonderful Life By Sparklehorse