A columnist recalls his childhood road trips with his family, including a trip to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. He remembers the state police and park rangers being nice to him and his sister, and the excitement of riding in a period stagecoach in Dodge City, Kansas.
Traveling Before the Interstates
The columnist notes that traveling before the interstates were built was a different experience. He remembers his family’s 1960 Buick with no air conditioning and how they would often get lost on the backroads. Despite the challenges, he cherishes the memories of those trips and the people they met along the way.
The columnist also recalls how his dad would stop at roadside parks and buy fresh peaches and peanuts from vendors. He remembers the kindness of the people they met and the sense of community that existed in those small towns.
A Lost Era of Travel
The columnist laments the loss of that era of travel, where getting to a destination was part of the journey. He notes that with the advent of interstates and GPS, traveling has become more efficient but less enjoyable. He hopes to recapture some of that magic by driving what’s left of Route 66 with his wife.
Original reporting: Wylie News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
