I thought I would love small town America.
After all, I have only fond memories of the first seven years of my life that I spent in Tamaqua, PA (pop. 7000).
I remember walking down the street and talking to every person I saw. They knew me, my parents, my grandparents, my aunts, my dog, my sister and everyone I in my world. Many times, I knew everyone in their worlds too.
I remember hiking in the woods just two blocks from my home. Biking the 1 mile main street to the town pool in the summer. Going to the lake on weekends for swimming, paddle boats and cookouts. Catching fireflies. Sitting on the back porch sneaking sips of Grandpa’s beer while watching the blinking lights on the radio station antenna on the far off hill.
That’s what I remember about small town America. I was ready to go back.
Then I hit the road and saw something different.
I saw main streets full of abandoned storefronts. I saw shuttered businesses except for the ever-present Dollar General Store. I saw homeless people in places I never expected – gas stations, parking lots, fast food drive through exits, walking the streets and roadsides in the middle of nowhere in Florida, Mississippi, New Mexico and Arizona.
I drove past ramshackle houses, junk filled lots, and more trailers than I ever imagined existed.
I bought overpriced gas from rundown fuel stations. I resupplied at dirty grocery stores that had limited selection, high prices and slow service.
I drove down cracked streets, dodging potholes and watching my speed carefully to avoid getting a ticket from the cops I saw strategically hidden to catch unsuspecting travelers from the interstate in a sudden 25 mph zone.
This too, is part of small town America. I wasn’t ready to be hit in the face with the poverty, disrepair and overall despair.
I don’t like it.
What I haven’t done yet is spent any time here. My travels so far have focused on getting into the wilderness and living in nature. My trips into small towns have been detours for resupplying only.
Eventually, I hope to spend time exploring some of these towns. I have no idea what I’ll find but I hope it’s not all as bleak as what I’ve seen so far.