Ice pics
One thing I noticed while driving Gulf Coast backroads is that, since hurricane Rita, the ‘general store’ has not risen again from the wreckage. I miss those dingy, run down shops where you could buy fishing tackle, fireworks, and weird sodas all from the same cooler. Usually the proprietor had only one leg, an ancient dog of indeterminate breed behind the counter, and several prominently displayed firearms.
Out front of a store such as this was the iconic ice machine.
Just like this one – but upright. And plugged in.
Since general stores have not been replaced, and a reasonable demand for ice remains, free-standing ice vending machines have appeared…
I was cruising up the road, blasting the radio when this classic number came on:
- a song that could almost be the current anthem of the southern part of the state; all about getting out of Louisiana.
Alas, my all-American cup holder will not be graced by some bizarre creme soda from Houma or a ginger ale from Metairie but, rather, a plain cup of ice. All those grimy little stores full of special drinks were just blown away.
[as usual, photos by me - taken yesterday]
