I shared last week about my Mom and I taking a road trip from Oklahoma to North Dakota to attend a funeral. We had such a blessed trip. I LOVE LOVE LOVE time with my Mom ~ truly, it doesn't matter what we do, and being able to have her with me one on one is like a sweet gift from the Lord!! We had many laughs, some deep talks and rarely did she get upset with me about my driving ;)~
As we were on our way home the second day, we both needed to take a potty break and we were both in desperate need of some COFFEE!!! We saw a sign on the highway that read Soda Fountain and Stoner's Drug. Immediately Mom and I were like..."Stoner's Drug??? ~ we MUST check this place out!!" So we exited the highway and entered what looked to be a itty bitty town that might have a population of possibly 100!! NO LIE! We went a couple of blocks and turned onto main street and saw the sign we were looking for in all it beauty..... STONER DRUG. I looked at mom and said "maybe we will see Charlie Sheen!!!???" hahaha
We parked and walked in. OK, I must tell you ....THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST PRECIOUS PLACES ON EARTH that "I" have ever been to!!!
You walk through the doors immediately entering the "drug store" and then you see in the rear of the store the SODA FOUNTAIN counter. Stools lined this authentic old fashioned Soda Fountain. The wonderful aroma of strong coffee and laughter filled the air, and most of the bar stools were occupied with many of the towns retirees, spending their afternoon as they do most everyday, there @ Stoner Drug. Of course, everyone knew everyone and the lady who worked this Soda Fountain knew exactly how every single one of her customers like their coffee. So, If you think two strange women can walk into such a place and the people not know we are "Just passing through" .... think again.
We approach the sweet smiling lady behind the counter and Mom asks, "How is your coffee?" One of the gentleman immediately turned around and said "It's great, you want a sip of mine?" We all got a chuckle out of that and we ordered our coffee, and both of us asked for cream. The woman poured our coffee and then proceeded to hand us a half a gallon of milk and a spoon.....This is their cream ya'll.....MILK!! LOLOLOL I just snickered and poured the milk into my coffee. Mom made her way to the back of Stoner Drug to visit the potty and I decided I would sit down and visit a while with all the older gentlemen (seriously, I was in heaven!!) I noticed a gentleman across the way sharing some cute jokes with a bunch of older retired women and wondered to myself if he might be the town pastor. Guess what....HE WAS (recentlry retired but nevertheless)!! I started talking to the man beside me and found out he was the towns Barber. I told him that I did hair as well but knew he must be far better than I ever was!
Here are the men lined at the bar of the Soda Fountain
Talking and having their coffee
Here is Bob the Barber and the towns recently retired Pastor
Mom returned and I introduced her to my new friends and yes, I knew some of their names already!! My mom just laughed at me introducing them to her as if I had known them forever. At this time, out of courtesy the woman who worked there asked us the question..."Are you all just passing through?" We said yes, and shared that we saw their sign on the Highway and just had to check out a place called Stoner Drug. She looked at my Mom and said "Well, will you all sign our Guestbook and then we will give you a souvenir. UH? You have a Guestbook? and Souvenir's???? Why yes, yes we will!
Here is the Guest book signed by all of those who have just "passed through" and found this wonderful place called Stoner Drug
our Souvenir....a pill box to carry with us always reminding us of our stop in Hamburg IA
As Mom opened & signed the Guest Book, we glanced over some of the signatures and comments. Would you believe someone from Yugoslavia found Stoner Drug?? Not only that, but they enjoyed their very FIRST milkshake!!! WOW! Guess what? They loved it too! Doesn't surprise me at all. Sitting on those stools, Mom & I met the heart of this community. It truly was one of my favorite moments on the whole trip. I did not want to leave!! The atmosphere was filled with Joy and a simplicity of days where no one was in a hurry to get anywhere. Fellowship was the only thing on their minds. Technology wasn't evident anywhere, and No TV's blared in the background either. Just Precious People with smiles on their faces and kind words on their lips. They say coffee is always better when shared with a friend, and I met some friends that day. I may not ever see them again this side of Heaven but I know God allowed us to meet these wonderful people, for that ....
I am truly Thankful!
What about you? Do you have any special road trip stories?
