Kernel

It's not often a Traverse guide will recommend visiting an entire town but Kernel is one such place. The central attraction? Well, Kernel is a nineteenth century morality play writ large.

To explain: Kernel's population only numbers 57. And like most small rural communities they often involved themselves in traditional communal activities such as hay-making, fire-fighting and ostracisation of newcomers.

One of the more popular activities was a village entry in the state lottery. In one particular week, during the summer of 1982, when half of the town was away supporting the local football team's efforts in the state finals, the town's "lotto" entry was entered by those who stayed behind.

And of course they won with the stay-at-homes refusing to share the million dollar spoils with the rest of the town. Within days the town was divided; with the winners booking long indulgent holidays in Europe and the rest of the town drinking themselves into a stupor. The newly wealthy townies soon left for the exotic northern hemisphere and while away, all their houses mysteriously burnt to the ground - but not before many of their possessions were "rescued" by the less lucky Kernelians.

Upon return, the well-travelled nouveau cosmopolitans set about creating a secure outpost in the now hostile town.

Traverse Tip: Do not walk the streets at night; nocturnal visitors to "the top of end of town" are frequently greeted by bullets from the security guards, while a moon-lit walk on the other side of the tracks will have you dodging a hail of stones, cans and sticks.

© Copyright Simon Kirby 1996-2005