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This is a true story, and the names haven't been changed to protect the innocent. Picture this: You're staying at the Bun Boy Motel in Baker, California, it's 11:30 P.M. on Tuesday, March 17, 2009, and you've just awakened from a nap, and you're hungry, and really thirsty. OK, I'll start with the hunger, as you have many options. You could take a short walk to several restaurants, including Big Boy, Del Taco, and several others, or just walk across the street to Mad Greek, and enjoy something very cheesy. But you're too lazy. OK, now for the thirst part... You're thirsty, very, very thirsty, and a Coke or a milkshake just won't cut it, as you want something that will lift your kilt. But you're in luck, as all you have to do is stumble across the parking lot, just past the 76 station, and you're in luck, as Country Store stands like an oasis, in the middle of the desert, no pun intended, ready to satisfy your hunger and quench your thirst.
Photo: Baker Country Store, along with the 76 gas station, owned by the same folks, and the neon wonder of the World's Tallest Thermometer, lit-up-like-a-Christmas-tree in the background. Yes, that was me, the author of this article. After taking a short nap, I woke up, quite hungry and thirsty. Sure, I had plenty of cold beer, orange juice and a Pepsi or two, but I had the kind of thirst that beer or soda pop couldn't quench. I reached over to the night stand, and the bottle was empty! Yikes!!! Not only was I thirsty, but I was hungry as well, despite enjoying a foot long Subway Sandwich earlier in the evening. However, since I was staying at the Bun Boy Motel, it was just a short walk across the parking lot to Country Store, my oasis in the middle of the Mojave Desert.
Photo: Inside the Country Store. You can see the liquor selection in the rear of the photo, under the map. It's behind the counter, along with cigarettes and other tobacco products. No, Country Store isn't a restaurant, as its more of a convenience store, but in addition to groceries, snacks, beverages, general merchandise, souvenirs, fishing licenses and a whole lot more, they have a cooler well-stocked with cold cuts, eggs, and lots of pre-made sandwiches, which was exactly what I was looking for to satisfy my hunger. As far as my thirst was concerned, the liquor is kept behind the counter, within reach of the clerk. However, I was in hog-heaven, because Country Store had a ham hoagie sandwich in the cooler with my name on it, and a bottle of Jack Daniels behind the counter that was waiting for me. So it was only a matter of reaching into the cooler, plucking out my sandwich, taking it up to the counter, and making the request to the friendly clerk to re-introduce me to my good friend Jack. Eureka! After paying for my little slice of heaven, it was only a matter of walking across the parking lot to my warm, inviting room. On the way out, the clerk asked my if I'd purchased a lottery ticket, and I told her that my wife had that covered for me. Considering that the sandwich was pre-made, it was actually quite good, and the bun, cheese, meat and condiments were quite fresh. The sandwich wasn't huge, but it was enough to satisfy my hunger, and each bit tasted smooth as silk, especially with the help of my good friend Jack.
Photo: Out of the package, my ham hoagie sandwich is ready to satisfy my hunger. No, you're not dining at The Ritz, but the sandwiches sold at Country Store are fresh, satisfying, and the store is close and competent, and it's open 24/7, for your dining pleasure. Like the "Lucky Lotto" slogan painted on the facade of the store, it makes for a winning combination. Country
Store Copyright(c) 2009 eRench Productions. All rights reserved. This site has been on the web since December 22, 2002.
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