I came upon the fading town of Sprague, Washington while zooming toward home on Interstate 90. I needed gas, and drove along the main street after filling up at the nearby mini mart. There I discovered vacant old buildings of brick and wood, as well as old gas pumps and covered sidewalks. Ghosts are starting to move in where people once lived.

On the side streets are several fine examples of painted advertisements on old brick buildings. Cremo Cigars are no longer available, nor are baths at an old-fashioned barber shop. Times change, but a few charming remnants remain.

I think I'll light a cigar and spend a moment reminiscing about the earlier century.

Lee Rentz