Stumblin’ Upon Some Backroad Petroliana
In October of 2018, I spent some time bumming around on the Bonneville. My meandering route took me down through Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee
Not having a set route or a plan is my usual road trip vibe. I leave home with a general sense of where I want to go or things I might want to visit. But, other than that I try to leave myself wiggle room to add and subtract along the way. After all, it is a big gorgeous world out there. You never know what wonderful thing is waiting for you around the next corner.
Not long after visiting the husk of the Underwood & Petty Service Station in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, I had to slam on the brakes and pull a quick U-y to get a good look at this building:
![](https://i0.wp.com/photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-XjM4QkT/0/11651344/XL/i-XjM4QkT-XL.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
I can’t say for sure whether this was an actual business or just the trappings of a collector-type. Looking at the details on the building and the “fire door” sign through the window, maybe it did operate as a store of some type. Whatever the case may be, it was nice to stumble across it.
Sadly, I have no stinkin’ idea where it is. I’d be only too glad to share the location. For now, it’ll have to remain a mystery.
![](https://i0.wp.com/photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-CcdZt85/0/7dbc87a5/XL/i-CcdZt85-XL.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-mcgJbJk/0/11dd13c8/XL/i-mcgJbJk-XL.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-WGP7XNf/0/382aa289/XL/i-WGP7XNf-XL.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-wGdkpZF/0/1a9e39e4/XL/i-wGdkpZF-XL.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
Isn’t it wonderful to stumble on something like this? Not knowing every detail is sometimes best – your imagination can wander just as you do on the ride. Thanks for sharing!
That there’s one purdy store. Jethro, grab me a pop!
What a wonderful find. Beautiful pictures. So grateful to be able to experience it through your eyes. Thanks for sharing!
For those of us out west – the East Coast can be an under-appreciated riding area. As a native New Englander, I do not miss the traffic. But, pics like this remind me why I loved riding through the South!