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di's Insite
The Cross Roads Store
Like a good country store, the painted white small building sat nestled in the hills of Missouri, near Galena. Trees surrounded the roads, obscuring the view around a bend. A gravel parking lot crunched under my van wheels as I turned in.
I had stopped to find my ever needed directions. I didn't think I was lost, just the roads did not look like those on my map!
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Winding roads tend to do that; they curve around with few signs to tell you just which one you are on. Now if I had one of those directional computers in my van, would it really know all these back roads? As bad as my sense of direction is, I still would stop for directions. Hey, my own personal programmed computer is not always going where it should! Hmmmmm, guess that ought to tell me something about my programming directions too, eh? I knew from signs I was supposed to be on highway 248 or was it 173? It is a good thing I like to stop often!
Nevertheless, it would not hurt to ask, I thought as I entered the screened door. Groceries and tackle seemed intermingled inside. There were rows of camping supplies, tackle and some liquor. A sign above the counter posted permits for sale. Live bait was mentioned, but I did not venture to look to see those poor edible bodies! I saw a sign for ice, cones and shakes but decided Shadow would want me to share. Instead I turned away to look at some camping supplies while the busy counter seem occupied. The last time I shared ice cream with Shadow, his black curls soon became tipped in melted white. It took me quite a struggle to wipe his face with a baby wipe-- I always keep them handy in my van. They save me a lot of trips to the wash basin!
Shadow was in his seatbelt-harness in the van. I carry a spare key, lock up and keep the motor running so he can have air conditioning on these hot summer days. Yet I knew he would expect a short walk when I returned to the van. I wanted to hurry towards the campground I had been told would be a good place to camp for the night. It would soon be dark and I did not relish the thought of putting up my tent with a dog anxious to discover where all the night sounds were coming from!
Finally the counter cleared and I approached a young woman and man standing behind it. Cheerfully, they told me how to reach my intended destination-- I was indeed on the right road. With good country manners, they asked me where I was from and soon we were chatting like country friends. They knew of my destination and like friends do, we were began talking about camping. They mentioned some other places, but time was going by quickly. Stan and Bobbi Harris stood smiling at me as I waved goodbye.
Dear reader, if you ever get to the crossroads of 173 and 248 in Galena, Missouri, do stop in at the Cross Roads Store, whose motto is 'Where the good fishing begins!' There is something there for a weary traveler besides directions!
Note to my readers: Have you visited a small store or cafe tucked away off the main roads? Tell me about it... would love to visit it someday!
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© 1999 di
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