Those People

Canaan Valley is a recreation destination, as such people come here on vacation.  There is something about being on vacation that causes us to act differently.  We all do it.  When we're on vacation we tend to check-out a bit mentally.  Some of us become less aware.  Distracted.

This past holiday season was our first where we were residents and experienced the effects of the grand influx of vacationers; or one friend refers to them, "Those People."   

Those People don't know how to drive in snow.  Those People don't know how to control their dogs.  Those People don't seem to know where they are going.

As I reminded my friend, it is because of Those People we enjoy living here.  Those People make the ski areas and local state parks possible.  Those People cause the restaurants and quaint small shops to exist.  Those People even make it possible for us to live in the residential area we enjoy because so many of them own vacation homes.

I met one of Those People on the day after New Years at a local gas station.  I pulled in behind them while they were pumping their gas.  After the pump clicked off one of the passengers hopped out to return the nozzle and put on the gas cap.  A couple minutes later the driver climbed out and wandered into the store returning a good 5 minutes later.  By now there were 3 cars behind me, all waiting.  Half-way back to his car the driver spun around and went back to the store returning in another 5 minutes with a cup of coffee.  Now there were a half-dozen cars waiting.  Reaching his car he placed the coffee cup on the roof and then proceeded to retie his boots before getting into his car and eventually driving off.

Ah, Those People make it so nice to live here.  Especially when they leave.