Day 69: Sweet dreams on a lonely road…

 

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“Sometimes a girl’s gotta have some chocolate!”

-Carrie Underwood

 

It was a simple indulgence I couldn’t resist.  It was a quest that was sweet, gooey, mouth-watering and  a bit salty.  Have you ever driven past a place that beckoned your name and you resisted with all your might?  Every time you passed this place, you promised yourself that one day you will indulge?  Today was the day.  My will power was weak. My desire was raging and my appetite needed to be satiated with this most sinful delight… work can wait, but my longing for chocolate, of all kinds, was growing out of control by the minute.

I have driven past “The Chocolate Factory” on Old Highway 395 numerous times.  Each time I get near the place, my hands involuntarily move the steering wheel to direct me to the turn lane to explore this chocolate wonder.  But my mind, ever so strong, always finds a way to reposition my car back on course to my destination.  Today, as I sat at my computer to work, that hunger for the delectable treats that are created and sold at “The Chocolate Factory” was calling to me like a long lost friend.  I have to shamelessly admit, that like the tune of the pied piper, I stood and followed the spell as if I were in a chocolate trance.

I quickly rose from my leather chair, grabbed my purse, a water bottle, my iPhone and the anticipation propelled me quickly to my car.  As I drove away, I remember thinking, “This better be oh so good!”  The day was hot and sunny.   I knew that whatever delicious treats I would pick out would have to be kept from the heat of the day so that they would survive the drive home.  Then again, who said they wouldn’t be devoured before making it to their destination?

I had been craving something rich in chocolate, perhaps with a gooey caramel center or even a creamy vanilla middle, not too many, but just enough… and with a hopeful spirit I drove down Old Highway 395 looking to find this exact simple pleasure to satiate my need and release that hormone from the Gods: Serotonin!  Ah yes, Old Highway 395… a once bustling road that runs just south of Reno in the stunning Washoe Valley.  I use the past tense of “once bustling” because a bypass was built not too long ago that is renowned for having the largest land bridge in the U.S. just next to the old highway.  I remember a time when the road was busy and stores and gas stations were never in need of customers.  Today, the road reminds me of Route 66 in the movie, “Cars”.  The cars that use this route are mostly local.

Many businesses have been left vacant and unable to survive with the traffic having been siphoned off to the new highway.

It is bittersweet for me, as I like the new road system but at the same time, I can empathize with the businesses that once depended on the daily traffic.  I wondered how it is that the Chocolate Factory has survived, but then again, here I was traveling miles for what I hoped would be this incredible delight!

I could now see the entrance of the Chocolate Factory, and I couldn’t help but let one of those excited smiles emerge on my face.  Whatever would I indulge in and could I resist from buying everything?

I pulled up to the store and having only caught glimpses of it from the highway, it looked homey and inviting with a wrap-around porch and chairs for sitting.  The warm wood of the building made it feel like walking into an old country candy store.

As I walked in, I was immediately struck by the scent of everything sweet held captive in this store just waiting to be picked up and indulged in.  I then noticed that I was the only customer at the time, but the greeting from the two employees was exceptionally warm and welcoming.  They said, “Good afternoon, would you like to sample some fudge or some peanut brittle?”  I thought, “Now that is music to my ears…I like this place already!”  I responded, “Why of course, and thank you!”  The fudge was called “Divinity”… really?  It was nothing short of divine and as I took a bite, it was if the angels had been cued to sing its praises… Yes, it was nothing short of heaven on earth!  The texture was light and fluffy as if marshmallows had been used in the recipe, but alas, only egg whites had been used.  The taste was a light vanilla flavor but with an overall sweetness that had my tongue dancing and my mouth-watering. I was wishing for more!  I placed my order for five kinds of fudge; I wasn’t planning on holding back, not with such tempting treats calling out my name!  I ordered regular chocolate fudge, vanilla and walnut, vanilla-chocolate swirl, peanut butter /chocolate, and yes, “Divinity”!  As I gave my order, I could sense a bit of happiness on the store clerk’s face as if this purchase meant the world to her.  I was curious about this, but as she prepared my order I began to meander around looking at the varieties of candy and chocolate as if in a dreamlike state led by the overwhelming sweet aroma of chocolate and vanilla that permeated this little country candy store.

There were solid chocolate pieces in a variety of shapes in both milk and dark chocolate, salt-water taffy of any flavor you could imagine from peanut butter and jelly to banana, to caramel to chocolate to… and the list could go on, but you get the picture.  There were boxes of freshly made soft caramel that just happened to make their way in my basket.  And then, out of the corner of my eye I spotted fresh cherry cordials.  Dare I admit those made their way to my basket as well?  There were chocolate covered potato chips, chocolate covered everything and anything!  I felt like Willy Wonka in the Chocolate factory trying to remind myself to resist too much indulgence because it isn’t good for the soul or the waistline!

 

But just as I made the decision to end the search for more, there it was, the grand and most rich sweet treat in its rightful place properly elevated and kept in a closed case for additional freshness… homemade truffles of the ginormous size!!!  My body bee-lined to the display case and the clerk that had prepared my fudge could sense my level of pleasure at the round balls of shear bliss that sat staring at me as if begging for attention and to be eaten.  Yes, all I wanted to do was gently take a careful bite making sure to savor the flavor as it melted in my mouth.  I could feel my heart rate increase as I made my selections,  cappuccino chocolate, raspberry truffle and the milk chocolate truffle had to come along as well.  As the clerk took my items to the cash register I hesitantly looked around as if to want to look some more, but afraid at the gems I may have missed.  Alas, with whatever will-power I had left, I stopped looking and decided to give myself reason to return to this country candy store another day.

While the clerk took care of my order, I asked her how business has been.  She sighed and said in a low and concerned voice, that with the new highway they have lost almost 70% of their business traffic, a significant amount of business, but they are holding on and will continue as long as they can.  She went on to say they were originally told that a feeder ramp would be built right next to their store and at the time they supported the new highway knowing that the ramp could keep traffic driving by, but those plans never came to fruition.  I complimented the store and that now that I have had the pleasure of tasting their most sinful treats, I would for sure be a good customer and patronize their business in the future.  You would have thought that I had given her the biggest gift with my sincere statement.  She smiled and said how much she appreciated it.  I said “Thank you and Have a Good Day” and made sure to smile and wave to the other store attendant and he smiled ever so big and said, “You do the same and enjoy the chocolate!”  I responded, “Make no mistake, I certainly will!”  And with that I left the store and returned to my car.

As I sat in the car, I took a moment to think about what my $55 purchase meant to this little store out in the valley.  I had never intended on spending that much money on these sweet treats but in hindsight, I am glad I did.  The look on both the clerk’s faces as my order was calculated was both one of excitement and also a bit of relief.  I could not imagine the day-to-day struggles of making a business work with a smaller contingent of shoppers and waning hope that business will improve with less traffic driving by.  I  quietly pondered questions, like…“Will they make it?”… “Will they survive as a business?” … “Will they succumb to the lack of customers?  Or, will dedicated customers like me, help them to go on?”  There were so many unanswered questions that I began to feel a bit ill at their dilemma and uncertainty.  Heavy sigh…  I wasn’t sure what I could do to improve their success except to say simply to the powers that be who might have been listening, “Hoping that this business continues for the sake of the people who work there and that their families always have the necessities to live, the business to sustain them and that their worries are few.”  With a feeling of gratefulness that I did not have to face such concern, I started my trek back home.

As I made my way past the vacant store and business fronts, I was reminded that I have more than most (including truffles).  For whatever reason, I have been graciously gifted with … good health, steady finances, friends and family that love me and a life that continues to teach me to be a better person, a better friend, a better spirit.  And just as the chocolate I purchased may be sweet and delicious today, one day it will be eaten and gone.  The goal is to enjoy every last smooth, creamy, rich, soft, mouth-watering bite with that seductive aroma and delicate taste of everything that makes me smile…

Having had the courage to leave my work on a mission of the chocolate kind… taking a drive down a desolate piece of highway, indulging in the sanctity of heavenly fudge, meeting people who enjoy their work and being able to patronize their stores and help them hold onto their business one purchase at a  time.  I walked away with a sense of gratefulness for the fortune I have in my life and lack of worries and troubles… feeling content, fulfilled, hopeful and with more chocolate than I could consume in a month, but all for good reason…. Wondering what tomorrow will bring…