Rain dampens enthusiasm for Highway 95 Yard Sale

photo Clint Harrison, of LaFayette, Ga., looks at items for sale at a yard sale along state Highway 95 in Walker County, Ga., on Friday afternoon.

In the screened-in back porch of their Rock Spring, Ga., home, Janie Smith; her husband, Ken; and two of her sisters sat and talked about the day.

It was about 3:45 p.m. Friday, and they should have been standing by their gravel driveway, selling whatever possessions they could stand to shed. But about an hour earlier, dark gray clouds littered the sky.

Rain dropped. Lightning flashed.

So instead the family sat and kept dry. Like that of most houses dotted along Georgia Highway 95 on Friday, the entrance to the Smiths' abode was filled with signs indicating their place was a fine spot to stop and shop.

The Smiths were prepared for the annual Highway 95 Yard Sale, which ran from Rock Spring to Georgia Highway 151 on Friday. The sale resumes today at 7 a.m. and will end at 4 p.m.

Ken and Janie Smith used to own a trucking company. Their travels rarely strayed from the Bible Belt, though they did make a trip to New York City.

They still own a 53-foot trailer, so on Friday they placed some stairs next to it. Inside, customers found racks and racks of clothes, just a dollar apiece. Whatever they wanted.

And shoes, too. On Thursday, Janie Smith showed her sisters a whole Volkswagen trunk full of flip flops. All of them were for sale.

Janie and Ken said they are donating their proceeds to Center Grove Baptist Church, which is promoting the yard sale with a 7 a.m. breakfast today.

The Smiths said they will swing by there for a bite before returning home to welcome any customers.

On Friday, Ken said he felt pretty good. They made a little more than $300.

"It'll be busier tomorrow," he said.

Contact Tyler Jett at 423-757-6476 or tjett@timesfreepress.com.

Upcoming Events