Welcome To My Town

Welcome to the thriving metropolis town of Grand Valley.

Although on a technicality we actually live in East Garafraxa, there is no real town there and so we fall under Grand Valley.  And I'm sure that was the most riveting piece of information you've received today. 

This is our Main Street.  To be honest, the first time we drove down it I thought we surely were in the wrong place.  It was slightly frightening to me that this was where we had really chosen to live.  There are so many shops along here that are closed and the town really needs some life injected into it.  So much potential, so little interest.  In 1985 an F4 tornado came through and destroyed most of the town...not a comforting thought. I keep telling my Country Boy that I would really feel much better with an underground shelter.  He told me to not be paranoid and that we would be fine in the basement.  Sure, until the house falls in on top of me.  Anyhow.

Here is Marie's Valley Inn Restaurant.  I had to be dragged in kicking and screaming originally but we've since been back several times for the good 'homestyle' cooking and friendly staff. I'm beginning to believe that people use the word 'homestyle' when the food is really exactly what you could make at home (or worse) but they would rather go pay $5.99 for it at one of these 'cozy' restaurants.  And 'cozy' is really code for small and wornout...but you get the picture.  Anyways, turns out I'm one of those who would rather go pay for it than make it myself.  I get a little OCD about my kitchen getting messed up!

This is Wyn's Mercantile where you can buy...ummm...well, any of this:

I found this lovely lady sitting in a corner covered with dust.  Must get back there and snatch it up.  Country Lovin' Boy will be so thrilled to have another item in the house that doesn't actually do anything but that I had to have.  On another note...doesn't this remind you of exactly the type of store the people from that show "Hoarders" would shop at?  Makes me glad to be a thrower-awayer myself.  That is totally a word.

Ice cream cones in hand (from Marie's of course), my sister and I set off to explore some of the natural beauty in Grand Valley.  Apparently it is called "Nature's Playground" (according to a sign we passed just before entering the town).  While I wouldn't call it a playground exactly, we did find a really beautiful spot by the Grand  River that I will definately be coming back to picnic at.

Tomorrow?  I say goodbye to being a dreaded 'mini-van mom'.