The Moon Over US-17
“The Moon Over US-17” is based on some of our travels south when I was a kid. US-17 ran from Jacksonville to Punta Gorda Florida. It was one of the original routes of the U.S. Highway system, which was established in 1926. It initially terminated in Jacksonville, but was extended south through Orlando to Punta Gorda in 1932. Punta Gorda is at the end of US-17 on Charlotte Harbor, a large bay at the mouth of the Peace River. There are so many towns that you would have traveled through; Yulee, Jacksonville, Orange Park, Green Cove Springs, Palatka, Crescent City, Seville, Pierson, Barberville, DeLeon Springs, Deland, Sanford, Longwood, Maitland, Orlando, Kissimmee, Davenport, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Winter Haven, Fort Meade, Bowling Green, Wauchula, Zolfo Springs, Arcadia, Fort Ogden, and Punta Gorda.
Once upon a time, stopping at a full-service station for fuel was such a pleasure. The locals would gather out front and trade gossip. There was nothing like a Moon pie and a cola by RC to wet your whistle. Did you know Orange Nehi is by RC Cola? I always use something orange in the foreground of my "Vintage Florida Series". Did you notice? As the interstate system grew, the smaller throughways were less traveled, leaving small towns and tourist attractions lonely for visitors. I posted this painting on the Facebook page, "Florida, See it like a Native".
Here are a couple of my favorite shares:
"In the 1950s us kids would go to a station like this. The cokes were so cold that came out of the Coke box that ice would appear after popping the lid. Dad would talk for what seemed like hours as we sat on a greasy bus seat acting as a chair. It's cray but I loved the smell of the new tires, oil, gas, permatex and exhaust. My brother and I would giggle over the girly calendars. My Dads buds would buy us peanuts or a moonpie and sometimes just give us some coins because we were good kids. Very nice memories"... Courtesy of Jody S
"We had a Gulf gas station in the fifties next to our little country store and auto parts business. Four of us kids and my parents living in about a 26' trailer. My parents bought the land and knew it was important to have the businesses running first before the house was built. My older brother of 9 pumped gas for Bob Hope who had come from Miami Beach Florida"... Courtesy of Nancy S
Remember to enjoy the journey everybody and the moon isn't always in the sky.
Details
Signed Print
16 X 20 Matted
Framed