Don't I Look Like a Tourist

Lottie's Soda Shoppe, Avilla MO

Yesterday we headed east of Carthage MO on old Route 66. Avilla was on our list of places to visit because it has an old building and it was touted as a living ghost town. A place lost to the past.

We like stopping at local places. It was past lunch time when we spotted Lottie's Soda Shop. Normally, we would not have cared about that, but it also said General Store. Laurie said "Let's take a look." I thought I might be able to get a honey bun.

We walked in and immediately, I felt out of place. There were 6 to 7 people and every one wore a cowboy hat, boots and jeans. I walked in wearing black polyester gym shorts, my brown "grumpy" Disney t-shirt and tennis shoes. I looked around for a grill and did not see one. There was a cooler with soft drinks. Then, I noticed a crock pot near the refrigerator.

After the waitress served the locals, she asked if she could help us. I had to do it. I walked up to the counter and said "Don't I look like a tourist?" And she said "You mean you ain't from around here?" I saw the locals getting chili from the crockpot. So with a grin, I asked if I could have some chili. She dished out a bowl of chili and gave me a zip lock bag of crackers. By this time the locals were looking at us and Laurie just grinned.

The chili was really good and we listened in on the local talk. Some lady had bailed three round bales of hay without noticing the right front tractor tire had come off the rim. Another person had run over a round bale of hay and claimed they did not see it. Then the local veterinarian came in and joined the conversation.

I noticed a paper on the fridge that said in the mornings they served biscuits and gravy. I asked the waitress if I came back in the morning could I really get biscuits and gravy? She grinned and said she would be open about 6:30. I said "I think that will work" and we left. We enjoyed our visit and continued our day.

We went back today around 8:00 AM. The same person was working the counter. I said "Don't I still look like a tourist?" She said "Yep" and served me some biscuits and gravy. It was pretty good. Laurie had a biscuit with honey.

I swear, we saw the same people that were there yesterday. Even the veterinarian made an appearance. We continued talking with the waitress. She let us know that she is retiring for good next Tuesday. Then talk led to grandchildren and great grandchildren. She pulled out her phone to share photos and Laurie did the same.

That conversation led to where we were from and where we were going. We said we were staying in the campground in Carthage. The locals picked up on our conversation (maybe our truck outside broke the ice) and talked about the current and past history of the RV park.

As we were getting this local history lesson, a young fellow walked in and grabbed a fountain drink. The waitress asked if he wanted to pay for it or put it on the fridge list. Apparently, some of the locals can carry a "tab" for a few days because there is a charge to use a credit card. She added his drink to a list on the side of the fridge and he walked out. She told us he usually came in on Saturday and paid up.

We love local places because people seem to open up to us. We enjoy these conversations.

Normally, this is a place many would have bypassed, but I am glad we didn't. It was a hoot and an example of what makes Route 66 so special.