Hillbilly Willy in the Mt Ida Arkansas Cafe

Willy had a different experience last weekend. Willy was doing something that most rednecks would have more sense than to do. That something was learning to Scuba Dive. Willy believes maybe when you are old and overweight and out of shape and not a good swimmer that maybe you should stay on land. Most rednecks are smart enough to know their limitations, but not Willy. But all of that is another story.



Willy spent the weekend in Lake Ouachita Arkansas near Mt Ida and Willy is glad he did cause it gave Willy another experience in life to write about.



Willy finished up at the lake and went to the Mt Ida Hilton for the evening. After cleaning up Willy went cruising into the small town of Mt Ida Pop 934. Willy was looking for the eating joint with the most cars. The choice was not hard.



The Tasty delight or something like that had about 8 cars around it but it appeared to be outside dining on picnic tables. Willy had been outside all day and he wanted a cool place and sweet tea.



Well, Willy drove on through town - about 1/4 mile and found only one other place the Mt Ida Cafe. There were several cars and motorcycles and Willy chose this one.



Willy walked inside and was greeted by a very pleasant friendly young lady waitress. She struck up a conversation and Willy reciprocated (big word for Willy). Willy asked for the special of the evening and she commenced to tell Willy that it was a big ole ribeye steak that was as good as you get anywhere and it was only $15.99. Willy cant believe it will be that good but immediately says he will take it.



Willy sets down and begins to admire the local clientele. It was obvious that they were all friends or family and that I was the outsider. Willy set for about 5 minutes and admired the local deer heads and possums on the wall. Boy they must be good folks here.



Willy then notices a sign in big letters on the back of the door. NO CHECK CARDS OR CREDIT CARDS - CHECKS AND CASH ONLY. Further inspection showed four other signs of similar nature. How did Willy miss this?



Oh No! Willy began to dig in his pocket because all Willy ever uses is a check card and only carries a small amount of cash. Willy gulps down his second glass of what could be expensive tea as he realizes he has $17 in his pocket. Willy panics.



Uh! Waitress - can you come here. You know you look like a basketball player. What grade are you in. Oh your a 10th grader and you love basketball. Wow wonder if Willy can pay for a $15.99 steak and tea for $17.



Sounds like Willy bit off more than he can chew!



Willy thinks for a minute. In the console of the truck may be another dollar. Willy will dig for it if he has to.





The waitress named Savannah was very nice and friendly (has Willy said that before.) She assured Willy that it might be close but she would let him go to the local atm if he needed to. Oh! she said I forgot this is Mt Ida Arkansas and we dont have an ATM.



Willy ate the steak. It was truly as good a steak as Willy has had in a long time.



Willy drank more tea. The bill came and Savannah smiled when she delivered it as if she liked to see an out of town redneck sweat.



Will picked it up and went to the counter to check out. Savannah rings up $15.99 she hits tax button or something and the register rings up $17.



Savannah smiles and says - the tea was free tonight. How much do you have. $17 Willy says. What about that she says. The cost is $17. I guess you can give me a tip the next time through.



She stated that it was a pleasure meeting me and hoped I had a good time in Mt Ida Arkansas. She then suggested that I step across the road to the courhouse square where Saturday night Bluegrass gospel was being performed.



I did and it was very good and I thanked the Good Lord and Savannah for helping me out of a jam.



10-4 Willy