Sunday, October 5, 2008

End of an Era; Sign of the Times




Last Monday (or Saturday or Sunday) we filled our gas tank(s) at the Sunshine Truck Stop in Summit. We returned Thursday late evening to find the station had closed in our absence, shocked to learn we had filled up for the last time in Summit. I have been in mourning all weekend over the loss. I learned from Uncle Alma that the truck stop had been there for 35 years, and that four Summit residents lost their jobs when it closed. I had noticed that since the new truck stop opened on the north side of Cedar City, fewer trucks accumulated at the Sunshine stop. I had also noted that the facility was old and looked run down. But the 87 octane gas for cars was the lowest price in the vicinity, and it had a reputation for being good quality gasoline. I'll get over it, but I feel unaccountably sad to see it all boarded up.

On a brighter note, Barbara came for the weekend. We enjoyed watching General Conference, and last night took a tour of the environs visiting Parowan Gap, Parowan, and Cedar City. She did her weekend shopping in Cedar including buying paint for her downstairs bedroom. We had a great time. We also had a nice little visit with Uncle Alma and his kids--Cleon and his family, Steve and his wife, and RaeLynn and a couple of her children--between sessions. David picked apples which are littering the ground faster than we can get them off the tree. Fall is here and winter can't be too far behind, but we had no rain and a little sunshine today.

5 comments:

Grammyzanne said...

Sounds like a good weekend. I'm still having a hard time imagining it is fall anywhere. At least it isn't hot summer weather here anymore.

MaryAnn said...

The gas station closing has me a little sad - I always gassed up there on my trips home. Oh well. Glad you had an enjoyable weekend.

Shae, Jay, and chillin' said...

Glad to hear your weekend was enjoyable. How was Uncla Alma? That is nice that so many of his kids were there for the weekend.

Laura Stringham said...

I remember harassing you and dad for candy from the Sunshine Station every time we took that road for what must have been at least a decade. It's a drag that it's gone. My children will never get to know the disappointment that I suffered from when you always said no.

Melanie said...

We enjoyed seeing you and Barbara too. We also were saddened by the closing. Cleon just sort of stared in disbelief. He seems to be moving through a mourning for the Summit (including the people) he knew growing up.