Shopping and junking in the coulee

Oh My Gosh! Were you out and about in the Coulee, driving up and down the streets of coulee towns on Friday and Saturday? Well, Detective Frankie D. took time out from other terribly important grunt work, like cleaning up debris left outdoors after our latest t-storm, to stop by a couple of yard sales. So, since some of my change and dollar bills, earmarked for junky purchases, were just about ready to burn a hole in my wallet, I just had to (yes, had to) make a couple of stops and shop around.

On my way into Coulee Dam on Friday, I noticed a whole slew of vehicles parked on both sides of River Drive so I pulled over and got ready to roll. I joined that steady shopping stream including many of my pals and others with familiar faces, all of us stepping quickly up the driveway and the nicely landscaped front yard of a house bearing a for sale sign, to get inside the huge garage and at the tables brimming with great stuff. Well, the grabbing, I mean shopping, was rollin’, with sale helpers, a daughter from Davenport and two sons from the westside (coasties) and others, all very helpful, on hand to make our shopping experience a good one.

The River Drive sale, advertised in The Star as a yard sale, was one of those four-star events and kind of like dining at a fancy restaurant where the dining experience is supposed to be star-struck. Oh well, never mind the four stars; here’s what I saw there: Ladies coats, hats, gloves, purses and shoes including some items a vintage shop would classify as retro (1960s-plus) and men’s coats, jackets and sweaters, all in excellent condition from being stored in wardrobes; upwards of a hundred or more DVDs, CDs and cassettes; like new hardbound books including a couple of vintage titles about movie stars, Elizabeth Taylor and Rita Hayworth; soft-side luggage; wood frames; lots of Xmas decorations and wrap; loads of household stuff; and furniture.

A quick stop again at this sale on Saturday morning was the right move, the “fam” was marking stuff down so the shoppers, many of us rain soaked but not caring about that, got some great deals. And yes, Detective Frankie D., didn’t leave empty handed; those dollars and cents went for a nice Sony cassette player, some “big band” CD’s, a Samsonite carry-on bag and a thumb size rubber ducky keychain light. Just so you know, that ducky was down in the bottom of a small box full of office supplies and goodies, just waiting there for me. I found it, and now it’s my guiding light!

You know what? I’m so sad. I missed out on five or more yard sales in the Coulee, but then again, there’s the Community Yard Sale event at North Dam Park next weekend. So, I’ll get over it. Happy sales.