Tuesday, May 28, 2019

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.



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/


Please join the authors of Sweet Romance Reads at our Cafe on Facebook!


16 comments:

  1. Sounds like you had a lovely trip. (By the way, I'm settling into that "certain age" myself. :::grin:::) Nice blog post. Thank you, Magdalena!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes we did, Donna. I hope you're enjoying our certain age. ;) Thank you for reading!

      Delete
  2. I avoid interstates like the plague, Magdalena, but mostly because I don't like the high speeds. Great post about enjoying the journey. So true!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Josie, I'm right there wish you on the high speeds. Thank you for reading and commenting!

      Delete
  3. Sounds like a lovely trip. I personally love taking some back roads, but I also enjoy going fast (especially when the kids are cranky and we just want to be home already).
    The Northeast has some great roads to explore.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tabitha, thank you for reading. My husband and I enjoyed some of your back roads in the northeast when we traveled there early in our marriage. We stayed in some beautiful campgrounds too! I hear you on getting home when the kids are cranky, though. ;)

      Delete
  4. Living near Atlanta back roads are the better option. Lol. I prefer those to speed for sure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Calliegh, thank you for reading and commenting. I haven't been to Atlanta many times, but -- yikes! Thank goodness you have alternatives to the interstate. :D

      Delete
  5. I love going off the beaten track.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cool, Margaret! It can be quite an adventure, can't it?

      Delete
  6. I love to take the road less traveled as long as I don't have to be in a hurry to get somewhere.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're right, Merrillee - backroads travel isn't usually conducive to speed.
      ;)

      Delete
  7. I do much of our driving on road trips, and I usually prefer the Interstate and getting there. Now and then, I take the byways and surprise myself by enjoying the journey. Fun blog!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading, Susan. So true that the byways, though often picturesque, usually are not speedy. ;)

      Delete
  8. Wonderful telling of your trip experience! Felt like I was there with you and your friend. AND I confess, my first thought was, "Yes, I dislike heavy traffic on the interstate, too," and that was quickly followed by, "How much longer did it take? How much time did she lose traveling the back roads," and then I realized how much more you gained in enjoyment than lost in travel time. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Grace, thank you so much for reading my blog. I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I appreciate your kind comments!

      Delete