After a week of fighting a cold I finally got back out on the road again. I did manage a short ride to work yesterday but this morning I was able to venture out for a few hours to ride and see the world. I’m still not one hundred percent healthy and because of it I felt the 38° F temperature more than usual. That aside I enjoyed being out in the world and feeling the connection to the landscape that riding offers me. The world is slowly surrendering to the coming of winter with gray skies and bare trees. Snow is forecast for tomorrow.
I had some chores to catch up on so my ride had several planned destinations. Gary Charpentier has been posting on Rush Hour Rambling about a diner in St. Paul. I remembered a ghostly diner parked out behind the garage of the auto mechanic we use and I thought I just had to take a closer look.
The shiny metal is in pretty good shape for someone who wants to take the plunge to open a classic dinner. The inside needs work but the basic structures are in place. Anyone thinking of a diner business? This may be your lucky day.
From there I rode to a local orchard for a fresh Red Delicious apple. I’m always amazed at how good an apple is when it’s fresh. From there on to the local Vespa dealer to check out a moving sale they were having. I knew there wouldn’t be anything I wanted but I have to look anyway. I only have two things on my want list—a small MotoFizz seat bag and a pair of snowmobile mittens. What happened to me? My list used to be pretty long. I guess I’m getting more content in my growing years.
I did have to make a stop at O.W. Houts to pick up some special hangers for a seven foot long photo construction piece I made.
Houts is one of those old, small town department stores that are fast going the way of the dinosaur. It’s sad to see their parking lot so empty on a Saturday afternoon and knowing that Wal-Mart and Lowe’s are jammed. Houts has the best hardware store anywhere around, a lumber yard that offers custom milling, a grocery store and meat department that you can find some pretty exotic stuff. Furniture, dry goods, garden supplys. I remember when it was the place to shop. The employees are adults who have made careers as sales people and many have been there for decades. I can’t help but think their days are numbered.
I only had one more stop on my ride. Sneezing, sniffling, coughing, I made my way towards home to stop at Eddie Agostinelli’s Market and Deli.
This local Italian place has great bread, sandwiches, pasta, cookies and more. Kim loves their lamb sandwiches and I had some pepperoni bread today.
By the time I got home I felt the cold sneaking back and needed to lie down and rest. Snow may fly tomorrow but I’m ready to go.
Steve,
Man, I love the personal touch of your blog.
You’ve got me fantasizing about that defunct diner. I wish I had the funds and expertise to make that happen. Somewhere along old Route 66 would be perfect!
But I’m so entangled in the modern industrial nightmare that I can’t see my way out. I have no right to gamble with the futures of my wife and child.
Thank you for the beautiful photos and wonderful prose that shows me a little piece of your world.
Ride well,
=gc=
Steve,
Good to see you in recovery from the cold. One thing about taking the Vespa out into the chill is the fresh air that you get as a bonus.
I’d love to spend some riding time in your area. I can’t believe how great it looks from my screen.
Have fun,
Bill
Mmmm… lamb sandwiches. Too bad I live in Kalifornia. I love lamb….
Well (ahem!), I’m with gary. I’d love to be able to afford that diner, if only to see a classic restored and put to good use. Would be interesting to study its history… what stories it could tell! Anyway, great pics as always, hope that cold leaves soon, wish I had a Vespa of my own to ride in such beautiful country settings.
I’m also old enough to remember the small mom ‘n pop places, the days when milk was delivered to your door in glass bottles, and you didn’t worry about forgetting to lock your front door. Shame all that has either gone away or is rapidly fading into the past.
Keep up the good work….
gary: The diner is a nice fantasy but only as a reflection of my desire to be doing something else. The modern industrial nightmare is scary. I was reading Walden last night—again. Thoreau would counsel simplify, simplify, simplify. Easier said than done though.
Glad you find a small escape here though.
bill: This cold will not let go. Half a day at work and I was ready for bed. I like the fresh air and the ride home tonight at 35 degrees was bracing but it’s all a lot better when I’m feeling well.
roose: I’m going to try and track down some history to that diner. And I remember milk delivered daily to our home in bottles. Actually we still get our milk in bottles here though home delivery has been gone for thirty years. Our milk is so fresh that 12 hours ago it was still grass! We do lock our doors but some of our neighbors still go on vacation with them unlocked.