A field trip through rust, relics, and remarkably good spirits
Uncle Dudley decided it was time for an adventure.
Not the kind that required planning.
Not the kind that required packing (which is fortunate—as he doesn’t have anything).
Just… somewhere with character. And the Airplane and Auto Junkyard in Atco, South Jersey, was the perfect place for a fun getaway.
Someplace with Character
He found it almost immediately. A bus with a broken window. “Hello?” Dudley called. No answer. He nodded. “Good. I prefer places where no one asks follow-up questions like ‘Are you okay?’”
Making an Entrance
Getting inside required a bit of maneuvering. “Well,” Dudley said, carefully navigating the jagged glass, “Good thing I travel light.” He paused halfway through. “Also helpful: nothing to snag.”
Out of Service (Allegedly)
Inside, he found another bus. This one had a sign: OUT OF SERVICE. Dudley leaned out the window.
“Out of service?” he said.
“I’ve never been more available.”
Improvisation
Moments later, Dudley appeared out of a rusted barrel.
“Just passing through,” he said, giving a cheerful wave.
It was unclear how long he had been waiting to use that line.
First Class Seating
A stack of barrels offered an upgrade. Dudley climbed up and stretched out.
“Now this,” he said,
“is ergonomic.” He adjusted slightly. “Well… conceptually ergonomic.”
A Different Perspective
Soon, he found himself upside down hanging in the jet cockpit. There was a long pause. “Well,” Dudley said,
“this explains a lot.” Another pause. “I should spend more time looking at things this way.”
A Question of Balance
Naturally, Dudley went higher. Over pipes. Across beams. Into questionable decisions. “Balance,” he said, wobbling slightly,
“has never been my strength.” He steadied himself. “On the bright side, falling apart is more of a rearrangement than a crisis.”
Support Systems
A pile of massive tires provided the next opportunity. Dudley settled in comfortably. “Now this,” he said, “is what I call support.” He sank slightly deeper.
“Finally—something with structure.”
Unexpected Joyride
Dudley considered the horse briefly, then climbed aboard as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “I don’t see why not,” he said. He settled in, or something close to it, and gave a small nod.
“Seems stable,” he added after a pause. “Mostly.”
Expert Opinion
A truck sat nearby with its hood open. Dudley leaned in like a seasoned professional. “Hmmm.” A long pause. “I think I see the problem.” “There’s absolutely nothing inside here.” He nodded. “Relatable.”
Pilot Dudley
Inside the cockpit, Dudley studied the controls. Dials. Switches. Levers. None labeled “obvious.” “…I have no idea what any of these do.” He sat back anyway.
“Pilot Dudley,” he announced. A pause. “We’ll figure it out.”
A Steady Job
Dudley eventually found honest work. He stood beside the garbage truck, studying the controls with quiet confidence. “Well,” he said, “this seems straightforward.” He pressed a button. Nothing happened. “I assume there’s training,” he added. He rested a hand on the metal and nodded. “Still… good benefits, I imagine.” …….“And no dress code.”
Public Service
A fire truck caught his attention. Dudley climbed up and gave a confident wave. “I’ll volunteer,” he said. “I’m excellent under pressure.” A pause. “…structurally optional, but enthusiastic.”
Reflections
In a quieter corner, Uncle Dudley found a typewriter. He tapped thoughtfully at the keys. “Dear diary,” he said aloud,
“today has been productive.” He paused. “No calories burned, but significant mileage.
A New Friend
Uncle Dudley was not expecting company. A face appeared in the window. He raised a hand. “Well,” he said, “this is new.” The creature stared back, unmoved. Dudley nodded. “I like your energy,” he said. “Very direct.”
He was quite happy to make a new friend.
A Proper Ending
At last, Dudley found the perfect place to end the day.
He stretched out and leaned back.
“Now this,” he said,
“is how you unwind.”
A long, contented silence.
“No tension anywhere.”
Nothing But Time
The light softened. The yard grew quiet. Dudley looked around one last time. “Not bad,” he said.
Then he closed his eyes. “I’ve got nothing but time.”
.
We have enjoyed visiting and photographing the Airplane and Auto Graveyard in South Jersey numerous times. And there is a lot more to it than shared here by Uncle Dudley. To see more of the junkyard and all it has to offer, click here.