Mini Maybell

I grew up in the Los Angeles County, which is the most populated county in the United States. In fact, with over nine million residents, Los Angeles County's population is greater than that of forty individual U.S. states, including Colorado. 

It's the polar opposite of a small town.

Because of this, I've always been curious about small towns. When I drive past them on the highway, I find myself wondering what it would be like to grow up somewhere this small, somewhere everyone knows everyone else.

Somewhere like Maybell.

With a population of less than one hundred people, I'm pretty sure Maybell is the smallest town I've ever stayed in. Seth and I parked our trailer at Maybell Park, which is a campground right in the center of town.

It's also a public park. I think most things in Maybell do double duty.

Saturday afternoon, we decided to walk the entire length of the town from one end to the other. We went east first, past both hotels (only one still in business)...

and the church.

It didn't take us long to get to the sign.

And then the other sign.

Then we walked a little further because I saw horses.

Even better, I saw a mule.

This was an awesome mule. He walked right over to us and demanded to be petted.

Don't mind if we do.

We took a lot of pictures.

Anniversary selfie!

Then we said goodbye...

and crossed the street to look at a herd of cows.

Does anyone know what they're wearing around their necks? We came up with a lot of theories, but really, I have no idea.

After we were done with the cows, we turned around and walked back through town. We passed the post office, volunteer fire department, volunteer ambulance, school, an out of business restaurant and a garage.

There were a lot of boarded up, falling down buildings, 

most of which were decorated with a "For Sale" sign.

We crossed paths with several deer and no people.

It took us less than an hour to reach the General Store on the far west side of town.

Pay phones!

No surprise, the General Store is attached to the town's only gas station.

Thinking of you, Teresa Fedak!

There were horses on this side of town, too.

The chestnut came up to the fence to see us.

We stopped to pet her, then continued on our way.

We took a picture with the sign.

And then the other sign.

Part of me thinks it would be fun to live in a small town, but not one this small. As much as I enjoyed visiting Maybell, I am happy where I am.