Little Chapel on the River

It's always nice to see that the small-town lifestyle and values are alive and kicking, especially within the unique community of the Hudson River. Bounds' book highlights a way of life that most city people rarely get to experience (no, Clinton doesn't count), set on the Hudson River in the town of Garrison, NY.

While I found Bounds' account of 9/11 and her subsequent displacement from her apartment moving, it reaffirms my belief that sometimes it takes a significant life disruption to be able to step back and try something new. In Bounds' case, this meant leaving the busy city life and deadlines at the Wall Street Journal. I had a similar experience last semester after taking the semester off to travel the high seas with the SEA Semester program. Being able to stop and appreciate a sunset while slowly sailing up the eastern seaboard was a huge change compared to the busy college campus "daily grind" I had become so accustomed to.

What makes this such a captivating story is the fact that many people don't realize that this classic old-time American lifestyle still flourishes in the world of hybrid cars, Blackberrys, and Starbucks. While Garrison gets all the glory in this story, I would bet that every major US city has it's own small-town equivalent. Take my local big city, Washington, D.C.. Drive an hour or so in any direction and there is a wealth of small-towns just like Garrison. The Appalachian Mountains hide many such towns, complete with little general stores, family farms, and the local rendition of Guinan's little chapel on the river.

As I considered what makes Garrison and other small towns like it unique, I came to the realization that most of the places we consider to be quintessential examples of American life have a distinct natural landscape "feature" that acts as the basis of the town's culture. For Garrison it is the majestic Hudson River, while in my example it is the Appalachians, or maybe the Shenandoah River. These natural features seem to be a cultural anchors for communities- something that stays relatively constant through the progression of generations.

While I initially worried that Bounds' book would turn Garrison into another cheap tourist attraction, I was pleased to find updates on the town, pub, and its charismatic regulars on Bounds' website (http://www.gwendolynbounds.com/newsletter.htm). I found the updates on John to be particularly inspiring, and a testament to the healing power of a tight-knit community.