Small Town Life

The local hardware store with a few choice items on display on the sidewalk. (click to enlarge)

Early last month, my wife and I spent several days with close friends wandering the mountains, back roads and towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northern North Carolina.  Although the color from the fall foliage had largely passed, I enjoyed exploring the back roads and small towns.  I just love the character and diversity of what one can find in a small town.  Here are a few images from our travels.

The Ashe County Cheese Factory is open for visitors to watch them make cheese! This was their 
seasonal display outside the factory in West Jefferson, NC. (click to enlarge)

Pumpkin Head! (click to enlarge)

A makeshift and stylized American Flag, I guess. (click to enlarge)

Where else but a small town will you find such as picturesque church such as this one?
(click to enlarge)

This is the "Picker's Palace" BBQ Restaurant or kind of a restaurant.  I'm just not sure.
(click to enlarge)

In early November we saw many trucks with harvested future "Christmas" trees on their way to
retailers.  We all thought it was a bit early to cut trees for sale, usually starting after Thanksgiving.
(click to enlarge)

In the Andy Griffith Museum in his hometown of Mt. Airy, NC, this exhibit shows the original
"Salt and Pepper" suit worn by Don Knotts when playing the Barney Fife character.
(click to enlarge)

Again, in the old Andy Griffith TV show, Otis Campbell was the town drunk.  This was the suit,
original hat and replacement hat (the original was getting to fragile) worn by actor Hal Smith.
Smith kept the original hat and would wear it during public appearances. Notice the 'stains' and
'soiling' tactfully created on the suit.  Fitting of a character who was not totally in control of 
his actions. (click to enlarge)

The entire town of Mt. Airy, NC is wrapped up in replicating much of the fictional town of
Mayberry, NC from the Andy Griffith Show.  I don't remember this but there were four
different men who portrayed "Floyd the Barber." (click to enlarge)

At Snappy Lunch you can order one of their famous pork chop sandwiches. (click to enlarge)

Ellie Walker was a character in the first or second season of the Andy Griffith Show.  She took
over her uncle's pharmacy and wanted to change the way business was done.  It took her a while
to understand that things are done differently in a small town rather than a big city.
(click to enlarge)

These next four images were made at the Poor Farmer's Market in Meadows of Dan, Virginia
(click to enlarge)

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Although big cities have their own unique look, feel and are usually are open, noisy and busy 24/7, I'll take the slow pace, interesting visuals and friendly people in small towns any day.

I find it an enjoyable experience to visit small towns, meet the local people, strike up conversations, make some photographs and create some good memories.

Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.  

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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