I stepped off the plane at Saint Louis international airport, I was surrounded by cell phones, blue tooths and I pads. Every modern convieance in life we have learned not to live with out was engulfing me like some digital age army. I have become use to technology and all it helps out with. I was greeted by my aunt Cyndi (hope I spelled that right, she will be reading this) and my aunt Lori with a crudely written sign that reads “Reverend Darren”. It made me laugh and let me know how goofy my family is and where I get it from. Well we went through the airport and out to the garage to get in the car. As we drove out I caught a glimpse of all the big named chain stores such as star bucks great clips and every cell phone company known to man. Well we drove away from all this talking and catching up and then we came upon the new Louis and Clark bridge (nova did a documentary on this bridge). Pretty much a good majority of my family and I think the town of Alton worked on this bridge. It is an amazing bridge the way it is designed. With that being said this is the most modern looking thing in this whole town. We crossed the mighty Mississippi and we are in Alton. At fist glance, you see the town and wonder, where is sheriff Taylor? Yes ladies and gents it is exactly like this. I don’t think I saw one single chain store that the rest of America cant seem to live without. The grain towers have a huge “Welcome to Alton” logo painted on it with an American flag. City hall looks like something strait out of the 40’s.
I spent the second day of my trip just wondering around this little Mid-America town. We drove over to old side of town and checked out all the turn of the century mansions. One of these my brother and sister in law were actually staying in. They did not tare these house down to make way for strip malls with star bucks or over priced “what is in style” clothe boutiques. No they kept them in the family or other people bought them fixed them up and ether lived in them or turned them into hotels. From there we drove down through the neighborhood that my aunt lives in and all these houses look like they were straight out of leave is to beaver land. I was waiting on the beave to ride by on his bike and toss out the daily news paper. Then we saw the old steal mill that was shut down due to reasons that are un known to me.
All in all I was in awe by how this town seemed like it was frozen in time. Everyone knows everyone, they still mostly go to St. Mary’s or the First Presbyterian church on Sunday. They still wave when you drive past and they say hello to you even if they don’t know you. None of the bars are over priced with the velvet rope V.I.P affliction shirt wearin crowd. No it is just your neighbor hood bar that is just a fun place to drop money in the juke box and hang out with your friends. It seems that in these day and times everyone is scared of everyone. Its all about yourself and not helping anyone around you. I cant blame people for being like this in some of the towns they live in. But I wish sometimes that America was like this little town that most people don’t know about but with of course the digital era twist. If you get a chance and you are up that way stop in and visit lil ol Alton and have bite over at Fast Eddy’s . it’s a great place to be.
