Mt. Airy, NC: Mayberry Redux

The bronze statue sits in a well-landscaped bower adjacent to the Andy Griffith Playhouse. Sheriff Andy Taylor holds his son Opie's hand, fishing poles slung across their shoulders. I can picture the closing credits of The Andy Griffith Show: Andy & Opie walking down a country road with their poles, the snappy theme song being whistled in harmony. This statue captures that moment, and adds another dimension: Andy looking down amused and lovingly at his son, and Opie looking up at his Dad as if the sun rises and sets in him. Indeed, this evening nature itself cooperates in creating this image, because the evening sun pours through the trees over Andy's shoulder. In this moment, everything is right with the world.Of course everything is right with the world; I'm in Mayberry. Really. The map says I'm in Mt. Airy, NC, (the boyhood home of Andy Griffith) but I'm not fooled. This is Mayberry. Stroll down Main Street and you'll feel right at home. Stop for a trim at Floyds' Barber Shop, or just browse Floyds' "Wall of Fame" photo gallery. You'll see photos of previous visitors like Oprah Winfrey and Lou "The Incredible Hulk" Ferigno. Hungry? Enjoy a messy pork chop sandwich at the Snappy Lunch (in business since 1923). Make sure you don't jaywalk, though; Mayberry Deputy and (excellent) Barney Fife impersonator David Browning may arrest you. The Mayberry Deputy is a local favorite; he offers tours of Mt Airy in his black-and-white 1964 Ford Fairlane police car. You'll be dropped off at the Mayberry jail, just one block off Main Street. Have dinner at Aunts Beas, and then take in a play at the Andy Griffith Playhouse.Is Mt. Airy a town clinging to its' "15 minutes of fame"? Hardly. The Andy Griffith Show was a top 10 show throughout the '60, and spun off two other shows: Mayberry RFD and Gomer Pyle USMC. For 15 years, America invited Mt. Airy into its' homes every week. As long as there are Baby Boomers, Mayberry will live on.What happens when we "boomers" fade away? Will Mayberry fade away as well? Most likely. Younger generations know Ron Howard as a major Hollywood producer, not as Opie Taylor. But when Maybe rry fades, Mt. Airy will still be around. The people and values that inspired the Andy Griffith show will still be there: you'll find them right at the end of Andy Griffith Parkway.