Taking A Walk

by Dwayne Phillips

I was just inside Georgia heading into Alabama. The name of the town was Rising Fawn, Georgia. A wonderful name. I had parked at a large church building and started walking my bicycle south through the town towards Alabama. On the far side of the road was what looked like a small restaurant named “The Depot Diner.” I didn’t see any railroad tracks, so I hadn’t a clue as to why it was called a depot, but whatever.

Two hours later I returned to the church parking lot. I had walked five miles and ridden my bicycle five miles back. Into and out of Alabama. It was sunny; it was hot, and I was famished. I had not yet learned how to judge distance, time, and the nourishment required to cover the two. I went to the Depot Diner.

The Depot Diner is one of those places that looks much bigger on the inside than on the outside. I think it was about 11:15 when I entered and sat. There were maybe five people present ahead of me eating. I ordered one of the daily specials: fried chicken, three vegetables, a roll, and a desert. $12 and well worth it.

I loved the food. I loved the “sweet” iced tea. I loved the chance to sit for half an hour and refresh myself in the coolness of the place.

I wasn’t the only one who liked the food at the Depot Diner. Thirty or forty people came in while I was eating. I had to look about to find where they were all sitting. It was much bigger on the inside than it appeared on the outside.

According to the photos on the wall, a railroad once ran alongside this place. This building was the train depot for this town. I couldn’t learn how long ago that was.

The Depot Diner was one of the memorable stops on the walk. It refreshed me, body and soul.