What a Country

[Tom Givens]

One of the benefits of being a traveling trainer is that I get to see a lot of interesting things around the country. Today I stopped in a little town in Wisconsin, right on the shore of a huge lake. This store sells guns and ammunition, fishing tackle, food, fine wine, hard liquor and home made ice cream. The booze selection was like that of a liquor store in a big city, and I picked up some nice 12 year old whiskey. We see so much of the big city cesspools in the media that we often forget that much of the USA is downright beautiful.

In this store, alcohol, tobacco, and firearms, plus ice cream.

[Guinnessman]

One of the benefits of being a traveling trainer is that I get to see a lot of interesting things around the country. Today I stopped in a little town in Wisconsin, right on the shore of a huge lake. This store sells guns and ammunition, fishing tackle, food, fine wine, hard liquor and home made ice cream. The booze selection was like that of a liquor store in a big city, and I picked up some nice 12 year old whiskey. We see so much of the big city cesspools in the media that we often forget that much of the USA is downright beautiful.

In this store, alcohol, tobacco, and firearms, plus ice cream.

I hope you bought one of each category. ‘Merica!:cool:

[11B10]

With all due respect to Mr. Givens.....****WARNING....THREAD DRIFT AHEAD*****


Years ago, I took some trips to Florida and Arizona, but apparently forgot what I saw. Too young and foolish to be impressed, I guess. Then, a couple years ago, I began driving for a major rental company and although my experience has been limited to my home state (Pa.) and the fringes of a few neighboring ones, I'm embarrassed to admit that I had forgotten just how beautiful America is. Was it always so? This experience has only served to strengthen my theory that human life is exactly 180° out. IOW, when we're young and have the energy (and health)....we haven't the resources to fully appreciate the world around us. Later, if we've planned properly for our retirement, the funds should be available, but I would wager, the majority of us don't have the requisite energy/health. Anyone else feel this way?

[SeriousStudent]

I am appropriately envious. If I may be so bold, what flavor of whiskey did you purchase?

I am seriously thinking of driving through Oklahoma this fall, and stopping by small liquor stores on a similar errand myself. Perhaps before your Master's class. :)

[mmc45414]

Today I stopped in a little town in Wisconsin.... In this store, alcohol, tobacco, and firearms, plus ice cream.
Most every small store like that in the north I have been in typically also has a large selection of porno... :rolleyes:

ETA: We may have passed each other on the highway this week.

[Trooper224]

Get out of the metro cesspools and you quickly realize how beautiful and varied our country is.

[Yung]

Those kinds of places remind me of the German community center when I was stationed at Fort Bliss. I loved doing lunch there because was it just about the only place you could eat a homestyle meal indoors while smoking at the table AND in uniform, surrounded by senior NCOs and officers who wouldn't bat an eye because they were doing the same. Some of them even had a pint of beer with their food too but I was never that brave.

[NEPAKevin]

IOW, when we're young and have the energy (and health)....we haven't the resources to fully appreciate the world around us. Later, if we've planned properly for our retirement, the funds should be available, but I would wager, the majority of us don't have the requisite energy/health. Anyone else feel this way?

i believe George Bernard Shaw is credited with the saying "Youth is wasted on the young."

[11B10]

i believe George Bernard Shaw is credited with the saying "Youth is wasted on the young."

You are correct, Sir!

[Tom Givens]

I am appropriately envious. If I may be so bold, what flavor of whiskey did you purchase?

I am seriously thinking of driving through Oklahoma this fall, and stopping by small liquor stores on a similar errand myself. Perhaps before your Master's class. :)

It's probably not up to your standards, Bill. "Gibson's Finest", 12 year old Canadian whisky. I'm a redneck, after all.

[Joe in PNG]

I found Alaska to be amazingly beautiful, but too cold for my little tropical bod.

[Malamute]

I recall many people commenting about the liquor and sporting goods stores in Flagstaff years ago. I didnt drink or buy booze, but I didnt see what the problem was.

Yes, theres much of the country that doesnt get the appreciation it deserves. Some of that is the Interstates. Charles Kuralt once said that the Interstates allowed one to drive completely across the country and not see a thing. Im not sure id go quite that far, but the older two lanes are worth driving to see things and appreciate the small towns. It came up on a motorcycle forum about old Route 66. Id been on some parts of it in the Flag area, but seeing all the pictures and stories, it made me want to drive it, touristy kitsch and all.

[Tom Givens]

I agree. I hate traveling the interstates, and avoid them whenever I have the spare time for state highways. Often, that route adds an hour or two to my trip, but is much more enjoyable.

[Lester Polfus]

I agree. I hate traveling the interstates, and avoid them whenever I have the spare time for state highways. Often, that route adds an hour or two to my trip, but is much more enjoyable.

If you spend a dollar at a locally owned business on one of those routes, more of it will stay right there too.

[0ddl0t]

I briefly looked at buying this place a couple of years ago: https://www.landandfarm.com/property/1_98_Acres_in_Trinity_County-4386446/

Rural gas station, convenience store, restaurant, bar, post office, and living quarters. The convenience store had a section of hunting & fishing supplies (including a handful of guns) and, aside from beer/wine/liquor, a couple rows over there was a gardening, irrigation, & plumbing section with all those last minute supplies for your budding marijuana grow.

[RoyGBiv]

I recall many people commenting about the liquor and sporting goods stores in Flagstaff years ago. I didnt drink or buy booze, but I didnt see what the problem was.

Yes, theres much of the country that doesnt get the appreciation it deserves. Some of that is the Interstates. Charles Kuralt once said that the Interstates allowed one to drive completely across the country and not see a thing. Im not sure id go quite that far, but the older two lanes are worth driving to see things and appreciate the small towns. It came up on a motorcycle forum about old Route 66. Id been on some parts of it in the Flag area, but seeing all the pictures and stories, it made me want to drive it, touristy kitsch and all.

Probably been 30 years since I read this.

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Highways-Journey-into-America-ebook/dp/B006BAW16O

I've had a serious case of wanderlust since I was too young to drive.

[beenalongtime]

I must be the only one who read the thread in Yakov Smirnoff's voice.

[Snapshot]

I have been to Wisconsin but don't recall the A/T/F/+ type of store, hopefully I will find one in the future.

Visiting the U.S. from Canada I am always happy to see that in most places things are not nearly as terrible as it might seem from a broad range of sources. I usually manage to avoid urban ghettos in favor of either resorts or shooting ranges, which are usually in the country or at least the suburbs.

As I drive around I see mostly civilized people with nice houses, vehicles, restaurants, stores, farms, recreational facilities, power, water, food, entertainment...

I realize not everyone has a safe and comfortable situation, some are struggling to survive and support their families, and my heart goes out to them.

But it really is a good country full of (mostly) good people despite the inordinate amount of attention that the bad/stupid/crazy people get.

[blues]

I have been to Wisconsin but don't recall the A/T/F/+ type of store, hopefully I will find one in the future.

Visiting the U.S. from Canada I am always happy to see that in most places things are not nearly as terrible as it might seem from a broad range of sources. I usually manage to avoid urban ghettos in favor of either resorts or shooting ranges, which are usually in the country or at least the suburbs.

As I drive around I see mostly civilized people with nice houses, vehicles, restaurants, stores, farms, recreational facilities, power, water, food, entertainment...

I realize not everyone has a safe and comfortable situation, some are struggling to survive and support their families, and my heart goes out to them.

But it really is a good country full of (mostly) good people despite the inordinate amount of attention that the bad/stupid/crazy people get.

We even have your Cup! (Okay, that wasn't nice. I'd buy you a Canadian brew to make up for it but for some reason many of your countrymen seem to like our mass produced swill, which I can't be bothered to drink. So when you get to my neck o' the woods let me know and I'll buy you a good local brew.)

[SeriousStudent]

It's probably not up to your standards, Bill. "Gibson's Finest", 12 year old Canadian whisky. I'm a redneck, after all.

As I always say - If you like it, it's good whiskey. :cool:

I do enjoy a glass of Canadian whiskey over ice on the back patio when it cools off.

[John Hearne]

I recall many people commenting about the liquor and sporting goods stores in Flagstaff years ago. I didnt drink or buy booze, but I didnt see what the problem was.


Never bought a gun there but I bought ammo and booze there - because I could.....

[Stephanie B]

Arcadia Sporting Goods, Ironton, MO. About two thousand guns, give or take, liquor, wine, ice cream, pizza, tobacco, convenience store stuff and fuel.

[Greg]

Wyoming - Where the combination Liquor\Gun Stores have drive up windows.

Aww Yeah!

[Arbninftry]

Those kinds of places remind me of the German community center when I was stationed at Fort Bliss. I loved doing lunch there because was it just about the only place you could eat a homestyle meal indoors while smoking at the table AND in uniform, surrounded by senior NCOs and officers who wouldn't bat an eye because they were doing the same. Some of them even had a pint of beer with their food too but I was never that brave.

They had great Schnitzel. I cant believe they kicked them out to Alamogordo when 1AD moved in.

[John Hearne]

Wyoming - Where the combination Liquor\Gun Stores have drive up windows.

Aww Yeah!

The one in Flagstaff had a drive-thru window. I check Google Street View and the store is now gone, sadly....

[revchuck38]

They had great Schnitzel. I cant believe they kicked them out to Alamogordo when 1AD moved in.

I had a six-week TDY at Bliss in ‘05. I loved eating there but hated having to go back to work afterwards. :)

[Drang]

I must be the only one who read the thread in Yakov Smirnoff's voice.

Nope.

[Malamute]

The one in Flagstaff had a drive-thru window. I check Google Street View and the store is now gone, sadly....

Was that Ruffs, right by the underpass under the train tracks by old downtown?

Bought several guns there over the years I lived in Flag.

[Hambo]

There's a place here where you can buy a cooked lunch, gasoline, beer, a pistol, and a bucket of Tramontina machetes. I should point out, it's all legal. The patrons are mostly cowboys and Hispanic field hands.

[blues]

There's a place here where you can buy a cooked lunch, gasoline, beer, a pistol, and a bucket of Tramontina machetes. I should point out, it's all legal. The patrons are mostly cowboys and Hispanic field hands.

I used to ride our motorcycle with the missus on pillion through much of that part of the state. Fond memories.

[John Hearne]

Was that Ruffs, right by the underpass under the train tracks by old downtown?

I honestly don't recall the name, that was back in 2000 but that's the location. If you look at Google Streets, the business is still there but I don't see the drive-thru.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.1974319,-111.6541628,3a,75y,90h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sF9-OGs31G1cEVaYu4v0QNA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[Malamute]

There's a place here where you can buy a cooked lunch, gasoline, beer, a pistol, and a bucket of Tramontina machetes. I should point out, it's all legal. The patrons are mostly cowboys and Hispanic field hands.


In days past, the local IGA grocery store had a small section that had guns, ammo, reloading stuff and basic useful related odds and ends. I bought a Smith model 29 Mountain Gun there when they came out. Asked a checker to find manager, he did the paperwork, he took the gun to a checker aisle, laid it on the grocery conveyor, she ran the conveyor and rang it up, I paid. The receipt was the small, old school paper register receipt, IGA header, and for items it just said "Gun......$330.00" plus the tax etc below. I saved it, its fun to look at now and then.


Edit: This reminds me of the line of a Charlie Russell story, "Like all things that happen thats worth while, it happened a long time ago....."