Exploring with Google

Sometimes I type in five numbers to see if a Zip Code pops up. I prefer smaller towns, unincorporated communities or census designated places. Most of the time Google has visited the area, so photographs are available. Some towns are still very much alive; others have more empty buildings than occupied ones downtown. Many small towns have the same chain restaurants you’ll find at any interstate highway exit or intersection.

Ranch House Restaurant in Harrison, Arkansas, is a chain, but has local knowledge, advertising “Ribs, Brisket, Fried Bologna and More.” As Priscilla said, “They know their clientele.”

Harrison’s population is around 14,000. Alpena, population 392, is the town I was searching for.

Zip Code search works for towns outside the U.S. I have driven roads from towns in Poland, Lithuania, Hungary and Ukraine, courtesy of Google.