Traveling the Backroads - by Magdalena Scott

I recently took a little road trip from my small hometown in Southern Indiana to our state capital, Indianapolis. Now, the quick way to get to Indy from here is to hop onto the interstate. It takes a little less than two hours.

But I don't like to drive on interstates. The scenery is often meh, and I get stressed when I'm behind the wheel, barreling down the road at 70 mph. Interstates, though quick, aren't my kind of fun.

Photo by Alexander Popov on Unsplash

 To me, travel isn't all about the destination. It's also about the journey. 

I agreed to be the driver for this jaunt, but asked my friend if we could avoid interstate. Fortunately, my friend also likes scenery more than speed. In addition, she's a great navigator, armed with her trusty iPad upon which our route was carefully planned.

We meandered to Indianapolis, and attended the conference. We met lots of nice people, and got to play our dulcimers with a group! The next day when our duties were complete, we meandered southward by a different route.

On the interstate we would mostly have seen vehicles, billboards, trees, and in the distance, some homes. At exits, the usual big signs for gas stations and fast food establishments.

Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

But on the backroads, we passed through beautiful farmland and quaint small towns. Scenery included farmsteads, lovely old homes with well-kept lawns, a variety of trees and bushes, local shops and restaurants. In a way it was pity we had eaten so well at the conference, so didn't need to stop and sample.

Although we came home during Friday afternoon rush hour, our route had little traffic compared to what we would have faced on I-465 and I-65. Almost no road construction. Zero snarls.

Photo by Jessica Furtney on Unsplash

In the two hundredish miles total I drove in my home state, much of it was new to me. 

Why? Because enjoying the journey hasn't always been my focus. But now that I'm settling into being a certain age, I'm making some decisions that surprise even myself.

The meandering route took about forty-five minutes longer each way. We chatted the whole time, becoming better friends. We've both told other folks about the lovely drive to Indy and back (not a topic you hear often, as life is so hurried).

And we'll both be looking for backroad routes for future trips -- she with her husband, and me with whoever my travel buddy happens to be. (Sometimes it's Me, Myself, and I. But that's okay too.)

What about you? Do you ever choose the meandering route?

USA Today Bestselling Author Magdalena Scott writes sweet romance and romantic women’s fiction. A lifelong resident of Small Town America, she invites readers into her world to find out what’s hidden just below the surface of those tiny dots barely visible on the map. Romance, mystery, and the journey to be one’s best self are all part of a day in her neighborhood. Readers have commented that they’d like to move to the imaginary towns Magdalena writes about, which she takes as high praise indeed.

Read her two series, Serendipity, Indiana, and The McClains of Legend, Tennessee.

Magdalena is a practicing minimalist, having downsized from a 3,000 square foot house to a studio apartment, where her Giant Closet continues to resist taming. When not writing at home or spending time with family and friends, she loves to travel–carry-on baggage only–and is always pleasantly surprised at the kindness of strangers.

Website: https://magdalenascott.com/

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