I've only been in the small community of Hot Springs, S.D., for one week and already I feel connected.
I'm covering the Alabaugh Fire today and found out that a gentleman from here died in the blaze. This man -- if the reports I've heard are correct -- is the same man that I talked to earlier this week while taking photos of the Fourth of July activities.
I was shocked when I found out he died. I didn't know him well, but I did know him. That probably wouldn't have happened in Missoula, Mont., and it sure as hell wouldn't happen in Denver, my new home.
Being in Hot Springs for such a short time has made me think a lot about small towns and how I feel about them.
On one hand, I can't stand small towns. I really can't. I grew up in the very tiny Wells, Nev., and couldn't wait to leave when I turned 18. Ever since, I've been moving to larger and larger communities and I recoil at the thought of moving back "home" to Nevada. I hate that everyone knows everyone. I hate that everyone then talks about everyone else constantly. I hate that most small communities are seriously lacking in culture and diversity.
But on the other hand, there are some things that I really love about small towns. I love the sense of community. I love that everyone, really everyone, waves at me when I drive by. And -- God help me, I'm gonna say it -- I like the traditional male and female roles. I like that men here help me carry heavy things. I covered a demolition derby here on the Fourth (and that's a whole new blog right there) and I couldn't believe it when a man helped me over the fence to get closer to the action. Then more men helped me onto the flatbed trailer where the announcer was stationed. And trust me, it wasn't my appearnance that made them help me. I was sweatier and muddier than I've ever been. I wasn't a pretty picture. They helped me because that's the right thing to do. One more thing that probably wouldn't happen in Denver.
I'd really love to find a good mix of the two things -- a community that's big enough to have a city feel while maintaining a sense of community. I feel like I found that in Missoula and I'm sad that I'm leaving it.
Maybe in time I'll find my own little community in Denver.