Oh Shenandoah, I long to see thee...

So, I drove through Shenandoah National Park today. "Skyline Drive" - the highway that runs through the park - runs along the tops of the Appalachians, overlooking the Shenandoah River Valley. There are 75 scenic overlooks and I think we probably stopped at 68 of them., soaking up the vistas.

Well, all the stop-and-go took its toll. I refused, out of principle, to pay $4.09 (!) a gallon at the monopolistic National Park Service gas station , so a side trip to Luray, Virginia (population 4,865) was in order. We filled up and then stopped in at a little place called the Farmboys Diner for some lunch.

While Debbie and I were checking out the menus and admiring the murals of smiling cows and pigs, it became apparent that there was a dangerous situation brewing in Farmboys. Apparently the older, more experienced waitress was expecting a massive influx of customers eager to take advantage of their Memorial Day special (BBQ pork mixed with coleslaw and chocolate cake) and she was worried about where the newer, inexperienced waitress was seating people. She went so far as to walk over and warn the couple at the table next to us, saying "if it gets busy in here, I'm gonna have to put you to move..."

The situation almost boiled over when younger waitress came running over:

"Clarence is coming down the street!" younger waitress exclaimed. "He's early - where are we going to put him??"

"Clarence?!" said the older waitress, looking around the nearly empty room in a panic. "Hold on, what day is it honey?"

"Monday!" said the younger waitress.

"Oh, you had me scared. It's alright baby, he's always early on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays - we've got his table ready right here."

We didn't stick around to see the hordes descend. I am happy to report, however, that when we left, Clarence was enjoying his blackberry cobbler.