5 Things You'll Only See In Rockwood | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

5 Things You'll Only See In Rockwood

Not just another small town.

1535
5 Things You'll Only See In Rockwood

You might hate this place. You might love it. Maybe you ran screaming for the city the first chance you got. Maybe you couldn't imagine a life where you didn't watch the tiger's at Civitan Field every Friday night. I haven't yet decided where I fall on this spectrum, but I do know that this place holds a certain amount of enchantment for me...that I hope never dies. Every small town across America is uniquely similar. Every dot on the map has its quirks. Here are Rockwood's:

1. The Star

Atop Rockwood mountain sits a very old and rickety fire tower. Throughout the holidays, a star shaped light hangs from the tower and the whole town admires it from below.The rest of the year, it's just a tower with a star on it. From the top of the tower you can admire the utopia that is Rockwood with a breathtaking view. It’s a Rockwood thing to climb that tower when you're bored. It doesn’t matter if its raining or if it’s the middle of the night. As a teenager in this town, it was just what we did and it was stupid and dangerous. However, I still do it now when I come home to visit. Everyone’s done it, probably more than once, and they always will. The people of this town will be climbing that deteriorating tower until it crumbles.

2. Rocky Top

Every town across America probably has a Royal Dutch Shell gas station. However, ours is named Rocky Top and, I can assure you, it is much more luxurious. It’s the single most stinky place in the whole town. Its putrid smell of cigarette smoke and hamburger grease is unmistakable. All grossness aside, no place is more happening in the middle of the night than Rocky Top. You probably stopped here after you climbed the star and got a greasy, nasty, disgustingly delicious Rocky Top burger. To top it all off, not only do we climb dangerous towers at night, eat gross food and loiter around a gas station, but now for the rest of my life I will go around wrongly calling every Royal Dutch Shell gas station I ever encounter Rocky Top. I’m sure I’m not alone in this struggle. We can’t help it.

3. Moonlight Bay

Here is yet another stupid thing we do out of boredom. Moonlight Bay -- its name alone sounds promiscuous and unrestricted. It is just a boat ramp by the lake with a little parking lot. It sounds innocent enough, right? No! Nothing good or wholesome ever happens here. Parents beware of Moonlight Bay.

4. Junior’s Restaurant

That’s right. I said Junior’s because it will never be Annie’s (no matter how hard they try). Junior's is where you go when you want chicken-and-dumplings or mashed potatoes, green beans and gravy. It's comfort food and it's a Rockwood staple. Under recent new ownership, the name of the restaurant has been changed to Annie’s with much resistance.The name might be different, but the food is the same. Junior’s restaurant is the epitome of fine Rockwood cuisine. I think they even have chuck-wagon.

5. The Cage

In a hidden nook down the hallway of Rockwood High School is a door with a large sign attached to it that reads “The Cage.” As a freshman it terrified me, but now it just confuses me. I’ll never understand how a storage closet came to be known as something so ominous.

I reckon it’s just one of those Rockwood things.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Taylor Swift in orange dress playing a moss-covered piano on stage with bright lights.

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

26575
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Students walking on a sunny college campus with trees and buildings.

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

11098
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

8205
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments