Thursday, August 27, 2009

Reid Completes His 1-100 Delaware Run!

My friend Reid Williamson has been doing what I do - for almost forty years! Throughout the years, he sought to photograph every place from 1 to 100 in Delaware. I met Reid in 2008, at which point he was missing two numbers - 75 & 82. I helped him find 82 in the spring of 2009 and I helped him find 75 today.

About a week ago, I was driving around Greenville, doing my usual route, while I noticed #80 pulled over near the curb. An elderly woman was getting out of the passenger seat, heading into a building on the strip. I noticed she was having some mobility trouble so I helped her a bit. Once I got her safely inside, I rushed back to the car to talk to the driver. I confirmed he owned 80 and 75 and got his phone number so I could set an appointment for me (and Reid) to go photograph it and talk with him. Unfortunately, Reid was in Maine at the time, with no service to be had, so I had to wait a few days before I could tell him the news!

Reid and Richard, his friend since grade school, traveled to Delaware today and, after some lunch, we headed right over to 75's house in Alapocas. It turns out that Reid spoke to Mr. 75 about 35 years ago and they remembered each other. What a pleasant surprise! It was a great moment for me and surely a great one for Reid. Good material for the book...