On Our Travels

It has been over a year since Merril and I did our Western trip.  I was reminded of it this morning as someone told me they were moving to Winton.  Winton to me is like the ends of the earth.  Merril and I went there as we wanted to take in the dinosaur trails.  I had been to Winton before and really had felt it was a long drive for not much at all.  It was like a one street town. 
This time it felt different.  It really felt loved.  It felt like the people took pride in the place.  And I loved the sense of humour on display.  Winton was the last place we expected to see a sign saying, “Winton Surf Lifesaving Club”  (but I am just weird.  The place is probably long gone but I remember a chicken joint called “Captain Chook.”  I loved that name.)
Atmospheres to me are interesting.  We had visited another outback town, and I really felt like I could have been lining up for a ride on the Gold Coast.  Although promoting the outback history it felt very commercial.  In fact, the town itself felt like it was in it for the dollar.  The place we had stayed was a real let down and was really a case of misleading advertising.
But other places felt genuine.  I will never forget going through one place where nothing was open.  Someone had set up a bbq and was making hamburgers and coffees.  So many weary travellers stopped, had a rest and availed themselves of what was on offer.
Fair dinkum it saddens me that so many forgo the opportunity of working in small towns.  I guess career prospects are not good.  To me small towns are the place to be.  The sense of community is great, and people tend to look out for each other in good times and bad.  Like anywhere on earth there are problems, but I love a sense of “we are in this together.”
It really does seem to me most people feel the same way.  When disaster strikes or difficulties arise it appears there is a sense of putting in to help out.  Many want battlers to succeed.
Anyway it is over a year since we went out west but there were many great people met and places visited.