On our recent trip to Flaming Gorge, my pickup blew out a tire. Fortunately, we were at the exit for a small town when that random event occurred.
Flagging down a local resident, we learned the name of the town's towing service and placed a call. The friendly owner arrived within five minutes and towed us to the town's only tire shop; en route, he gave us a brief rundown on his home town, including the opening of a Walmart and the town's second grocery store. He also recommended a tour of the old, historic prison if time permitted. Once at the tire shop, we were informed that, unfortunately, repairs might take an hour or more; to bide our time, we were advised to visit a popular coffee shop, run by two older women. We took that advice and enjoyed both a tasty breakfast and friendly service. Once back at the tire shop, we caught up on the clerk's family history while awaiting the final repairs. Ninety minutes after the accident, we were back on the highway and headed for home.
While similar services are available in larger cities, the entire process would have taken most of the day. More importantly, we would not have enjoyed the personalized service and colorful conversation that came with that small town setting. Though city dwellers tend to criticize country folk for their provincial attitudes and lack of sophistication, we gain a more accurate picture when happenstance places us in their company. It is then that we come to appreciate their kindness, skill and genuine hospitality.
