Ponders Corner is full of memories for me. I can fix that. Pick us up next Saturday afternoon. We gave a guided tour around town and finished in the parking lot of La Casa Motel in Ponders Corner. Within seconds Rob had his car in reverse and we were out onto the highway. Massage parlors, strip clubs, prostitution and drugs had taken their toll on this tiny business area between Lakewood and I Someone had been shot in the La Casa parking lot just a few weeks earlier. Over the years my father remodeled, and constructed and bought the small motor court next door as well.
When my parents were all done, we had 31 units. Ponders Corner was my turf. I used the only phone booth to call girls for dates. I knew and visited almost every business. When my parents needed to go somewhere, I was left in charge. I would rent out rooms. We were the closest motel to Fort Lewis. A major once threatened to beat the snot out of me.
At La Casa We often needed change for the cash drawer and left to my own devices I would buy something to cook for dinner. There was a small grocery store where I would sometimes buy the latest paperback books popular novels or science fiction. I read them all. The store also had a gourmet section, which is where I learned to love beef stroganoff. I also loved kippered herring. We spent a lot of money there. I faced down several prowlers with that weapon.
When my father died the Ruger became mine. During my junior and senior years at Clover Park High School I had the upstairs apartment with a pool table in the living room, a bedroom and bath. I stayed there until I married at the age of Peggy and I honeymooned in the smallest of the motel units, room Things are looking up. It may no longer be an adventure to visit Ponders. There is a pyramid-shaped monument that marks the Military Road network between Fort Steilacoom and Walla Walla during the early days of settlement in Washington State.
The pyramid represents the land donated by Amos and Belle Ponder. Amos came to the Lakes District in He built a gas and service station in the area that was finally named after Amos and Belle.
