Save small town America while traveling!

[Dutch Star Don]

RVThere.......This is a good post and something more of us should try to do. America no longer looks like America anymore. Maybe we can all do a little more to save what made this country great.

[elkhornsun]

That is a good part of the reason why I never shop at Sam's or Wal-Mart. No corporation has done as much to put small businesses out of business and few American corporations are as abusive of their workers as Wal-Mart. You have to put your money where your mouth (and heart) is.

[Lindsay Richards]

Wal-Mart pays it's employees more than the average for retail employees and offers health insurance. There is a huge amount of misinformation put out about them by the unions who have spend hundred of millions of dollars of their members money trying to unionize them with zero success. If employees don't like to work there, they can leave. President Lincoln fixed that. We live in a competitive environment and stores must learn to adapt to a changing world. Many have. Ace Hardware for example, has decided to offer what Wal-Mart can not and continues to grow. It is easy to slam Wal-Mart, but when you dig a little deeper, they provide 1.9 million jobs and pay huge amounts of taxes to many cities. Folks are free to shop anywhere they wish in America. We don't have the "state" operated stores.

[wa8yxm]

About a week ago (Tomorrow in fact) I woke up in Coldwater MI, not the biggest town in the state by a long shot,, While wife was shopping I called ahead to a propane dealer I know in Tekonsha (When I lived there I was one of 1400 people in the township, 700 in the village, and 700 in the township exclusive of the village, 1400 total.. Many of you know Tekonsha, home of Tekonsha Engineering makers of the Prodigy brake controller, I once tried to date the company founder's daughter).

2.69/gallon.. I told the lady I knew how to find the dealership.. When I told her why (It is the farm I grew up on) She believed me.

[W6ZKH]

Originally Posted by ka7suz

We prefer to travel the secondary roads whenever practical. Always fun to see real people doing real things and stopping at locally owned markets and attractions.

JoAnn

In about 10 days, we'll be starting our largest trip ever; 5 months throughout the US, and once we get up around Seattle, we will start east of US Hiway 2 and go for the mostpart all the way to upper Michigan. Not many WalMarts along that route, as it is off the Interstate routes. We are hoping to maintain the more rural routes to see the culture of the country, not the concrete jungles.

[docj]

Originally Posted by W6ZKH

In about 10 days, we'll be starting our largest trip ever; 5 months throughout the US, and once we get up around Seattle, we will start east of US Hiway 2 and go for the mostpart all the way to upper Michigan. Not many WalMarts along that route, as it is off the Interstate routes. We are hoping to maintain the more rural routes to see the culture of the country, not the concrete jungles.

We spent a very pleasant 10 days in and around Bemedji MN which is on US2. When you pass through that area we highly recommend the Corps of Engineers campground at Leech Lake near Federal Dam MN. Very large sites, some with FHU.

[Lindsay Richards]

DOn't miss the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi right near there.

[Roam America]

We always look for local eateries, especially those that serve local or regional fare. i can go to Olive Garden, Cracker Barrel, or any of the other chains any time I want. But when I am in a place for a short period of time, I want to visit local businesses.

I am starting to get back to that with all shopping. Unless i am absolutely forced into it, I steer clear of WalMart, Lowes, Home Depot or the other big box stores. I prefer going to the local hardware store where the workers know what they are talking about and know where things are than going Lowes where some kid is gonna search the aisles just like I was doing before asking. And i honestly do not trust the quality of the products at WalMart. there is a reason why they sell it cheaper; lower profits are not it.

[Mike2007]

My wife and I enjoy long established hardware stores. Much better shopping than the big box stores.

Mike 2007
2001 Newmar KADP 4086

[MarkofSJC]

Love this thread! But I'll go one challenge better. After you find that off-the-beaten-path restaurant, instead of choosing just from the menu ask your waiter/waitress what he/she really thinks is the most memorable items on the menu. We've had some of the most fantastic, yet unusual things ever!

[Lindsay Richards]

You would love Mitchel's Hardware in New Bern, NC and Leman's Hardware in Amish Country Ohio.

[rocknrun]

I avearge about 800 miles every week in business travel in the Carolinas and by far my favorites places to eat are the locally owned diners. Had a great pork chop sandwich yesterday at The Snappy Lunch in Mount Airy, NC!

[ottffss]

Originally Posted by MarkofSJC

...instead of choosing just from the menu ask your waiter/waitress what he/she really thinks is the most memorable items on the menu. We've had some of the most fantastic, yet unusual things ever!

I always do that (with emphasis on "chef's choice") and most times get a visit from the chef thanking me for a chance to have fun with my meal and to make what they like to make/eat and do best. The personal stories of what and why the chef made what they did are always fascinating. It's really opened my culinary experiences!

Sometime the request for "chef's choice" is usurped by "waiter's choice," not quite the same but can be equally entertaining.

[Half Dimes]

Originally Posted by rocknrun

I avearge about 800 miles every week in business travel in the Carolinas and by far my favorites places to eat are the locally owned diners. Had a great pork chop sandwich yesterday at The Snappy Lunch in Mount Airy, NC!

And don't forget Little Richard's BBQ on the west side of town. Never been disappointed in the many times we've been there!