Rescued

I awoke on Saturday July 27th in a strange town in the middle of the Ozark Mountains with a broken bike, spotty cell service not knowing a soul and without an idea as to how I was going to continue. A sign at the Route 76 Hostel stated that Opy's a small store in town used free internet access for cyclist. Well I was now  walker... I walked into Opy's said hi and introduced myself. The owner, Alyssa Hope Smith was exceptional friendly and nice. I explaining my situation to her and saying how I would like to get to Farmington because there is a bike shop there. She asked if I minded if minded if she took my picture to post on Facebook. Within 15 minutes of her initial post someone responded to say they would be going from Ellington later in the day torwards Farmington if I wanted to wait. Later in the day I was contacted by Craig Foster, he was at his families farm in Ellington and was going torwards Farmington later in the day if I wanted a ride. I have a hard time believing that in a small town of less then 1000 people in such a short time you came find a ride from a complete stranger to a town 60 miles away. Small town America at it's finest.

I thanked Alyssa at Opy's later in the day and made a video for her to post on Facebook.

Shortly after 5:00 PM Craig showed up . We put my bike on his trailer, the panniers in the back of truck and off we went for the drive to Farmington. We had a nice chat on the way to his home town. His wife Jessica and 2 kids wanted to take a ride to Farmington with us. We stopped and all 5 of us climbed in and headed off. Jessica had made Craig and I dinner in a Tupperware. It was a short drive to Farmington. Craig and Jessica Foster have a beautiful family. I can  not thank them enough for my ride to Farmington.








A very stressful situation for me became a great learning lesson. The goodness and generosity of people torwards complete strangers is something to be cherished. The kindness and friendship shown to me by Alyssa Hope Smith and Craig and Jessica Foster and their family was beyond compare. Thank you all.

Comments

Anonymous said…
As I already said, thank you to Alyssa and to Craig and his family for taking care of my stranded husband. There are so many kind people in this world and we all need to hear more stories like this one. Kathy Pelletier (Bob's girl Fred)
July 31, 2019 at 6:46 AM
Anonymous said…
love, love, love this. People are so good.
Glad the ride continues and that you are getting closer to home.
Love Sandy..big sister
July 31, 2019 at 2:04 PM
Terry said…
Robert, I'm glad you met these great people, things could have gone from bad to worse but not for the kindness of strangers! Hope you're on the road again soon. Keep on truckin'!
Love, your favorite little sister Terry
July 31, 2019 at 6:11 PM
Anonymous said…
Just now seeing this post....but SO very happy that we met. I love our small town of Ellington! It was our pleasure to help you that day!
August 23, 2019 at 11:55 PM
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