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I had a similar, much milder experience somewhere in rural Mississippi. Me and my friends were road-tripping to New Orleans, and pulled off the expressway to change drivers and use the bathroom. We were clearly out in the sticks, far from any cities. Our limbs were cramped from sitting for hours, so we were stretching gym-style by using gas station lampposts for leverage. A few townies sitting on a curb looked at us, and nearly fell over in laughter. We looked at them, and said "hello"; they didn't say anything back, and that was the end of it. They didn't mad-dog us or do anything aggressive; we probably came off as a bunch of crazy city-slickers. The gas station worker was super-friendly, though.
I've been to Ashland several times. A former friend's brother owned a small Italian restaurant there. My hiking club camped at Koebel's Grove in September for a few years. Friday evening dinner for early arrivals was at that restaurant.
Did you see the Whistler's Mother statue?
That statue is actually pretty impressive! The vibe is a little creepy, but I kind of like these burned out PA coal towns. My wife and I love Bloomsburg! I just wish I could find a job around there.
I had a similar, much milder experience somewhere in rural Mississippi. Me and my friends were road-tripping to New Orleans, and pulled off the expressway to change drivers and use the bathroom. We were clearly out in the sticks, far from any cities. Our limbs were cramped from sitting for hours, so we were stretching gym-style by using gas station lampposts for leverage. A few townies sitting on a curb looked at us, and nearly fell over in laughter. We looked at them, and said "hello"; they didn't say anything back, and that was the end of it. They didn't mad-dog us or do anything aggressive; we probably came off as a bunch of crazy city-slickers. The gas station worker was super-friendly, though.
I had a similar, much milder experience somewhere in rural Mississippi. Me and my friends were road-tripping to New Orleans, and pulled off the expressway to change drivers and use the bathroom. We were clearly out in the sticks, far from any cities. Our limbs were cramped from sitting for hours, so we were stretching gym-style by using gas station lampposts for leverage. A few townies sitting on a curb looked at us, and nearly fell over in laughter. We looked at them, and said "hello"; they didn't say anything back, and that was the end of it. They didn't mad-dog us or do anything aggressive; we probably came off as a bunch of crazy city-slickers. The gas station worker was super-friendly, though.
Reminds me of Charlie Daniels' old song, "Uneasy Rider"
I had a similar, much milder experience somewhere in rural Mississippi. Me and my friends were road-tripping to New Orleans, and pulled off the expressway to change drivers and use the bathroom. We were clearly out in the sticks, far from any cities. Our limbs were cramped from sitting for hours, so we were stretching gym-style by using gas station lampposts for leverage. A few townies sitting on a curb looked at us, and nearly fell over in laughter. We looked at them, and said "hello"; they didn't say anything back, and that was the end of it. They didn't mad-dog us or do anything aggressive; we probably came off as a bunch of crazy city-slickers. The gas station worker was super-friendly, though.
Stretching gym style at a gas station in public would get the same reaction in 80% of the rest of the country as well.
Stretching gym style at a gas station in public would get the same reaction in 80% of the rest of the country as well.
Maybe so. But we had a real physical need. Our bodies were cramped up from hours of driving/sitting, and we needed to stretch. Since we weren't hurting anybody, who cares. Plus, it made for a fun story to tell later.
Perhaps people from more urban areas wouldn't have laughed at us not because they're "nicer", but because they've seen worse craziness than city-slickers with Illinois plates using lampposts as stretching poles.
Stretching gym style at a gas station in public would get the same reaction in 80% of the rest of the country as well.
Haha, maybe my story falls more in line with that one. But will never forget when I moved to Georgia (2003). My brother came with me to help move in and we were blazing the entire way from Cleveland to Knoxville (where we were going to stay overnight).
Anyway, it was an ice storm when we left Cleveland and my Accord (not the ride of choice in middle of nowhere northern Tennessee) was still covered in ice by the time we got to this town called Jellico to fill up for gas. On top of the gas, we wanted to get a couple of 40s to drink before we got to Knoxville and find a spot to party at UT. We pulled up and it was your stereotypical southern scene, pickup trucks and good ol' boys hanging out at the gas station. I'm sure as soon as we opened the door a plume of smoke got everybody in the parking lot high, lol. We were gonna go in to take a ****, get a couple of 40s and get back on the road, but the looks from the people hanging around was the "your not from around here" variety, so filled up and GTFO.
FWIW, got to Knoxville and never ended up even getting to the hotel. One of the best party nights of my life, until had to drive like 4 more hours hung over the next day.
I had a similar, much milder experience somewhere in rural Mississippi. Me and my friends were road-tripping to New Orleans, and pulled off the expressway to change drivers and use the bathroom. We were clearly out in the sticks, far from any cities. Our limbs were cramped from sitting for hours, so we were stretching gym-style by using gas station lampposts for leverage. A few townies sitting on a curb looked at us, and nearly fell over in laughter. We looked at them, and said "hello"; they didn't say anything back, and that was the end of it. They didn't mad-dog us or do anything aggressive; we probably came off as a bunch of crazy city-slickers. The gas station worker was super-friendly, though.
That's a weird part of TN. Best not to stop until you get a bit closer to Nashville going east or Jackson going west on I-40. That's not too far from where Holly Bobo was murdered years ago and there are many sex perverts, sketchy characters, and overall weirdos living close to the Tennessee River. The Holly Bobo case was high profile for years on end and the trial was downright spine-chilling to see.
That's a weird part of TN. Best not to stop until you get a bit closer to Nashville going east or Jackson going west on I-40. That's not too far from where Holly Bobo was murdered years ago and there are many sex perverts, sketchy characters, and overall weirdos living close to the Tennessee River. The Holly Bobo case was high profile for years on end and the trial was downright spine-chilling to see.
As a general rule, I only stop in "major" cities or their suburbs when taking road trips.
For example, If I'm traveling between Dallas and Atlanta, I will only stop in:
Shreveport <---> Jackson <---> Birmingham
If I have to use the bathroom or if I feel hungry in the mean time, I grind through it.
Last edited by citidata18; 05-08-2021 at 07:43 AM..
What are some depressed, weird or eerie cities in your opinion? By eerie, I mean creepy, depressed, unpopular, and just has a weird vibe.
I have traveled almost the entire country and have to say that the following places would be my top five:
Utica, NY
Davenport, IA
Norwich, CT
Bristol, VA
Newburgh, NY
What was eerie about Davenport? I have been there several times, always seemed like a fine city to me.
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