Are you intrigued by roads? Highways that seem to go off into the distance? Are you compelled to see what is down this road or that one?
I was talking with a friend about differences in roads. He lives in Montenegro, Europe. I’m here in the Cincinnati, Ohio area of the USA. It was my first Facebook video chat, and it was wonderful to finally see his face and hear his voice.
Goran says travel in Europe is quite different than the USA. The roads there are not like the United States where highways can be straight as an arrow, like out west, and you can see for miles. European roads are through mountains and valleys. The curves can reduce speed and require more time to travel. Our conversation gave me pause for thought about highways and roads, and their intrigue.
I have been known to turn down a road because it looks interesting. Where does it go? Where does it connect or come out? What will I see along its path?
Does it have lines? Lines? Yes, lines. Major highways and most roads have lane markings. But those rural country roads like Halls Creek Road (top photo) have no lines. To my knowledge and according to the Warren County map, it is such a minor road to serve the locals, that the county has not given it a County Route number. It is only known by its name. And of course, it meanders along Halls Creek, from whence its name comes.
What about gravel roads? Well, I’ve never seen anybody attempt lane markings on a gravel road. Would be kind of silly, wouldn’t it. But, that gravel road goes somewhere. A friend in Nevada, J. Brandon, says, “We have state routes that are gravel!”
That’s the intrigue of roads. There is a history and a purpose. And, they carry us forward to sights and sounds we might never have seen before. Roads are much more than a convenience for travel, they connect people to places and other people. They connect history and stories. And of course, they take us on our adventure.
If you want to get somewhere as fast as possible, take the interstate highway. But if you want to see anything, take a road less traveled. See where it leads.
See you on the highway.
Brent
Very pleasant reading! Roads, are arteries that lead to….Trails, that are capillaries that lead to….Paths, that are fabric that leads to the heart….That leads us back to the road of growth. Traveling can immerse all the senses into the now, teach patience and tolerance, and gives one the perspective that there is no center of the universe. We are only part way between here and there, even when at home. Best regards.
When I go out for a ride, I always look for these roads. I carry a state map with me but only pull it out to find my way back home. It’s a lot of fun getting “lost” down these roads, both metaphorically and literally.
In Michigan, just because a road is called a “Highway” on the sign, it does not mean that it’s paved or will remain paved for very long.
Yes, Micah, and all over the country. Roads originally were named, not numbered. Like the Sauk Trail in Michigan, which is now US 12. It was an Indian trail from Detroit to Chicago. How about the Red Arrow Highway along the Lake Michigan shore in SW Michigan. And, many roads like Edwardsburg Road north out of Elkhart, Indiana, is the road to …. Edwardsburg, Michigan. Lots of history in roads.
Nice read, Brent. And thanks for the mention. C’mon out west and I’ll show you some of my favorite roads.
J., thanks. I’ll be out that way again. I’m just trying to figure out how I can do the Tahoe ride, attend the AMA conference in Carson City, and make up for my lost rides while still doing the ones I planned for this year. Whew! That’s a lot of seat time. 🙂 –Brent
In this case curiosity doesn’t kill the cat it feeds its soul. Thanks for another great read.
I thought about your roads less traveled and at the end of the day I think you might be right highways are for travel…roads are for ……well everything else
One thing is for sure, Goran, Halls Creek Road is not the autobahn! 🙂 –Brent