A recent stroll through downtown Chapel Hill had me looking for memories- for what has changed and what has stayed the same. There wasn't much remaining of what was there '65-'69. The sky is still Carolina blue and the Carolina Coffee Shop looks the same, although it was never one of my favorites.
 |
| The Carolina Coffee Shop |
Then I went looking for the Ramshead Rathskeller, knowing it was already gone but wondering what took its' place. Boy was I in for a shock!
 |
| Stairs from Franklin Street to Rathskeller |
 |
| entry door to Rathskeller |
 |
| Looking right |
 |
| Looking left |
It has been taken down to the dirt, literally. I can only hope what comes next will be nearly as good as what I experienced during my days there. Looking in, I could almost smell the strip steaks cooking on hot skillets and hear them sizzle; the onions and fries making my mouth water! The little salad was the only nearly healthy thing on the table. And a cold beer of some kind, probably a Pabst Blue Ribbon or Miller High Life. I didn't go there often, as it was usually beyond my meager budget. But for special times or when I had a few extra coins, this was my favorite place.
Now known as Goodfellows, this was the entry to the Tempo Room, famous for Spartan sandwiches and ice cold beer. It was crowded, smokey and my second favorite place to be.
Of course Thomas Wolfe was right when he said you can't go home again, but he didn't say you couldn't try ( or did he? I tried to read that book and have yet to succeed. Tree Climber, aka Wayne Caldwell, would know for sure.)
It is good to be here for a short while, enjoying the autumn leaves and cool breeze. Oh yeah!
