Insight’s into Hillsville

Here are just a few observations while looking around Hillsville…. for good, bad, or how ever you like it! … I’ll say 95% to the good… with the emphasis on friendly!

• It is rightfully named “Hillsville” there are no flat areas here… anywhere… unless they are man made… and of course… why would anyone want to do that?
• The predominate form of transportation here is the pickup truck… most are red!
• The family vehicles that are here… 90% are either gray, silver or white.
• There are a great number of 15 year old plus… jacked up pickups… primer painted… engine roaring… with Confederate flags attached to the cabs.
• There also seem to be a high percentage of …. again 15 year old plus… rice rockets that want to be muscle cars. (they haven’t got a clue)… the younger kids.
• There are also a great number of motorcycles, mostly Harleys… that cruise around.
• The prime cursing spot for the for the aforementioned rebel trucks, rice rockets, and motorcycles is the local Wal-Mart parking lot… mid afternoon. They like the way the engine roars (Rebel Trucks & Harley’s) or wines (rice rockets) as it reverbs off the building fronts.
• The predominate dress code is blue jeans… almost everyone. Flannel shirts also seem to be a hit with the guys. Gals where the jeans with casual or dress tops, and even “dresses with the jeans” seems popular.
• Ranch hats and boots are popular. No one wears “Croc’s” … except for those visiting from Florida.
• Croc’s, Disney T’s, and something other than denim pants… well… it’s a quick give a way… your not local… but no one hold’s that against you! Actually… I didn’t see anyone wearing shorts… except for some small kids… they no doubt didn’t have a choice... grandparents in Florida sent the shorts to them.
• 90% of the folks are real friendly… give you a nod, a hello, how ya do, or comment on the weather. Very refreshing from city people that would just as soon run you down for walking in the “their” street.
• Most will direct you to the local McDonalds or Shoney’s if you ask about where to eat. McDonald’s is better.
• Most buildings look like they have been well used as several previous business over the past century… except for the Wal-mart & Lowes… they were definitely built for new for them. Just a quick note… thank god for Wal-mart & Lowes.
• There is a laid back friendly feeling everywhere… truly nice and refreshing. Very welcome change.
• It’s also a great pleasure to see everything “green”. Spring has sprung… everything is green! … or at least everything that hasn’t been washed away by 12 of 14 days of rain.
• The air is clean and fresh (all the rain!!!), the local folks are friendly, and the charm of a small old town is found everywhere.
• Old buildings, old homes, and especially old barns… hold a special charm… except for those that are no longer being used… well… they are just left for nature to slowly reclaim. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in another 100 years, they might be gone… or maybe not…. just leaning a little more.

Well… that’s my short little bits of insight for today… and to just let you know that I’m still here and haven’t washed away to the bottom of the mountain …. yet.

• One final interesting fact: Did you know that at 3000 feet elevation that you weigh more. It’s true… 3000 feet adds about 20 pounds… (it’s actually 3.721 pounds per every 500 feet) … and breathing thinner air makes it seem like 50 pounds… walking up all these hills also adds another 20 or so. Something to think about!