Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
only in america 2
Just off Highway 76, in South Carolina, I came across the
91-year-old Nostalgic Station, which, according to the proprietors,
Rich Kuhnel and his wife, Cindy, is the town's only restored gas
station, and of course I went right in. Outside, where cars pull up
for fuel, there are vintage Texaco and Sky Chief petrol pumps. It's
like walking into a 1950s time warp. There's also a beautiful old
juke box, which Rich showed me is in prime working condition by
selecting an Elvis Presley record and dancing the twist. He was
pretty good, too! On sale are collectables and memorabilia such as
old soft-drink bottles, some dating back to 1910, vintage postcards
andBettyBoop,SnoopyandLooneyTunesshirts,igurines,biscuit
jars,framesandstatues.Dillon'sabitold,butIwastemptedtobuy
him one of the Kuhnels' kids' pedal cars as a memento. The site is
used for fun photo shoots, class reunions and weddings, and as a
meeting point for vintage car rallies.
We sat in prime seats in the grandstand to see the Braves beat
the Colorado Rockies and increase their chances as contenders for the
World Series. I perched up there above the brightly lit diamond and
consumed two milkshakes, two ice-creams, a piece of cheesecake and
two hot dogs. It was worth missing my sleep for.
Earlier today, when I ran into Atlanta, I was corralled for TV, radio
and newspaper interviews and also visited the Red Cross. I recorded
another interview for the
Today
show. I tried to perk up for the cam-
eras and do my best to project high spirits and optimism, but inside
I'm feeling wrecked. There are definitely two sides to Pat Farmer.
I have to say that, from what little I've seen of Atlanta, it seems a
place where I could happily live. It's not as built-up or busy as other
major US cities. It's quite laid-back, with lovely homes, parks and
bicycle trails. The people have been so welcoming. It's come a long
way since it was burned to the ground in the Civil War.
