I was replaying in my head some of the people I’ve encountered. We have to get over this Deliverance thing. This faulty perception that some have about the rural deep south is just bull_ _ _ _ movie stuff.
I’m a Yankee. I talk like a Yankee. I drive a foreign made truck. And no where on it does it say BAMA or Roll Tide. But the people I have encountered and engaged in conversation from Alabama can’t have been more friendly, accommodating, and helpful.
The other day in a small rural town I asked a man if he knew of anyone selling firewood. Now I hate to say it, but this guy looked like he was from the movie. Bib overalls, white sidewall haircut, missing front teeth. I kid you not. He’s scratchin’ his head trying to think of someone, and then pulls out his phone and calls his friend. While he’s talking to his friend he says, “write this down” and recites a phone number to me.
He hangs up and calls the number. He confirms that the guy has wood and hands me the phone. Here’s the conversation;
“How much y’all want? I deliver for $5.”
“I don’t need a truck load, I just need a little for some camping.”
“Son, (he turned out to be younger than me) for $5 I’ll deliver a stick a wood.” I don’t know if he was serious or not.
“Thanks, why don’t you just tell me where you are and I’ll come and pick some up.”
“Y’all headin’ up toward Opp anyway?”
“No, I’m heading up 55 to the Conecuh National Forest.”
“Meet me at the Tom Thumb goin’ north on 331 out of Florala.”
This guy, Earl, (yup) was a biker driving an old Dodge Pickup full of wood. Full leathers, do rag, big Confederate flag on the back of his jacket. (you can’t make this stuff up)
“How ‘bout I take a couple dozen pieces and give you 20 bucks?”
“Nah, that’s too much. How about 10 for the wood and $5 to come meet ya. All the way from Minnysota huh? Damn sure gits cold up there.” Earl struck me as a man who doesn’t do anything halfway.
The wood isn’t very dry and doesn’t burn all that well, but I don’t care.
Roll Tide!
Glad to hear you’re working through the shingles and staying on task. (You really ARE a charter member of the “TBs,” aren’t you?)
Your comment about the purchased wood not being the best at burning brings back many a fond memory of campfires that smoked rather than burned! Well, that smoke may not keep the alligators away, but as for those coastal mosquitoes, I reckon there ought not to be many…..
Great story about the firewood Eric. I had to laugh thinking of you looking for the Tom Thumb. That is the beauty of camping, the experiences of meeting all kinds of people. There are a lot of good people out there and we can thank God for that.
Happy camping and stay away from the gators!
That sign scares me.
I love the firewood story also! I have spent some time in Alabama and they were very nice. In fact, my brother was taught a couple lessons by them. I was in 7th grade and he was in 10th. We went to visit my Mom in Mobile when she was there for hurricane Fredrick clean up. He got a very stern talking to, for not opening doors for me and for letting me walk on the outside of the sidewalk, from the locals. I loved it! Him, not so much.