The small town of Los Alamos, NM (population 12,019) was the ultimate travel secret for many years. If you worked and lived there, it was a “zip your lips” place. “Imagine you work in a city that isn’t on any map, in a house that has no postal address. You go to work each day not really knowing the purpose of what you are doing or how it fits into the jobs of the thousands of other people going to work each day around you. You don’t talk about where you live or what you do with anyone on the outside—and even on the inside the work conversations are kept within your own department. You always erase the blackboard after a meeting.” That was the Secret City of Los Alamos during the early 1940s. (http://bit.ly/2vabtRx)
The Tour has traveled tens of thousands of off-the-beaten-path road miles. Our favorite experiences are discovering secret little “hideaway” places that most people have never been to or seen…like Secret City. Here’s a quick roundup of several. Can you name them? We’ll give you a few hints.
This is the scene inside Russell’s Travel Center (NO, we don’t own it)
Actually, this is NOT a tiny town. But it's proud to "wear" that label.
All we’ll tell you is that this gentleman owns an establishment named in honor of his mother. His restaurant is located in an area known for citrus farming.
Mermaids, apparently, need suds to quench their thirst in Longbeach Village.
Sgt. Pepper is featured at this iconic gallery.
Wine and classic cars featured in the bucolic Northwest Connecticut town.
And when those cotton balls get rotten…Located in the small town that hosts The Big Pig Jig (think BBQ).
Sam’s tree house has a connection to President Jimmy Carter.
The Tour found harmony in Harmony…and some wonderful wine.
Bart made a new friend in a place called Old Town. Frank Lloyd Wright would have approved.
Rorie was always fascinated with super hero movies. Can you say rusty “Transformer”? Only a short drive from Music City to this small town.
Shy pie? No. Shy server? Yes. Wonderful establishment just outside the city limits of Ft. Smith, AR.
Chile capital of the world.
The abbreviation for this small town is HdG. This is a water’s edge view of the Chesapeake Bay.
Bart, meet Bert, Bert, meet Bart. Iconic local waterside grill.
Sidewalk art from the grounds of the Gibsonton Showmen’s Club.
Discovering small towns makes you work up an appetite – or makes you vulnerable to snack attacks. Salty, crunchy goodness found here, down the road apiece just over the railroad tracks.
Stay tuned for road reports about lots more “secret towns” in small town America.