How Small Town Is Small Town?

I grew up in the suburbs.  From the house I lived in, you never had to travel more than a mile to get to  shopping malls, restaurants, drug stores or gas stations.  We had multiple movie theaters, bowling alleys, golf courses and a water park.

After Mr. Willoughby and I got married, we lived in an apartment in that same suburb for a few years. From there we moved to another suburban area, and then the city.  It was while we were living in the city that we started spending our weekends on country drives and shopping at flea markets and farm stands.   We found ourselves charmed by the small towns with their farmhouses and quaint shops. When it was time to get out of our house in the city, we decided that we wanted to live in the country.

It was an adjustment at first.  The closest place to shop (other than Kmart or the supermarket) is 20 miles away.  We have no movie theaters and only a handful of restaurants.  If you're in a hurry to get someplace, you better hope you don't get stuck at the railroad crossing when a train is coming through.  On the plus side, there are only five traffic lights in the whole town.

So how small town is small town?  Have a look and judge for yourself.  All of these pictures were taken between my house and the supermarket.

This is the view across the street behind the supermarket.

The Lutheran Church.

A local convenience store.

Local chicken farmers.

Up the road about a mile.

The weathered sign on top of a building in town.

Silos next to the railroad tracks in the middle of town.

The tractor dealership.

More silos.

The local produce store, all decked out for the holidays.

Abandoned railroad tracks.

You know you're in a small town when the local dealership advertises "Hit a deer, fix it here".

A local restaurant.  I haven't been there since it changed ownership (forgive the quality of this picture, I leaned out the window at an intersection to take it).  It used to be painted hot pink.

Looking down Main Street.

This mural is painted on the side of the fire station.

Some of the businesses on Main Street.

The Wednesday Farmer's Market is a local tradition. 

An antique shop (which is currently for sale).

Outside the local tack and saddlery shop.

Part of the walking/biking trail that runs for miles through the county.  This used to be more railroad tracks.

Where do you live?  Small town, suburbs, big city?

~I'd like to thank everyone for the get well wishes.  After taking a week to relax and recover, I'm feeling much better!~

Willoughby