Feb 05 2009
The Road Less Traveled
On our recent trip east, we traveled many back roads, usually deliberately but sometimes on a whim. We enjoyed these trips off the beaten path, and it intrigued us that the types of roads varied a lot from what we’re used to.
Interstates are pretty standard: two or more lanes in each direction, with exits every so often. U.S. Highways are generally good roads, with wider lanes and shoulders than local roads. (We did find U.S. 20, east of Galena, IL, to be an exception to this generalization, and I’m sure there are others as well.)
State highways, however, are anybody’s guess. On a map, they may look somewhat straight, but in reality they might be little more than a winding, narrow road. In North Dakota, they’re usually straight and flat with 65 mph speed limits. In eastern Ohio, though, they were twisty and turny, and my husband didn’t feel comfortable driving the 45-50 mph posted speeds.
The kids referred to these as “roller coaster roads.” We’d drive up, up, up, up, up, get to the top and then hold our breath as we didn’t know where the road was going on its descent. Then down to the bottom, across a creek, around a bend, and back up again.
On the other hand, in North Dakota it’s rare to find a paved county road, and township and local roads (and sometimes city streets) are sure to be gravel. As one drives east, the percentage of paved roads seems to go up.
In the Midwest, roads are often built on one-mile grids. This makes it easy to calculate distance, as well as find a direct route from here to there. Where hills and mountains change the terrain, however, the roads change as well. The roads come together at interesting angles as they wind their way through the hills and streams. Turning off onto a local road can be a real adventure because you don’t know where it will come out.
We’re so used to having roads that are straight and direct that it was sometimes frustrating to take a long time to go just a few miles. We couldn’t imagine driving the hills and turns in icy winter conditions. On the other hand, we enjoyed the beauty of the countrysides, driving through the tiny towns set at intersections, and seeing something different than the straight-and-flat roads we’re used to.
How about you? What are the country roads like where you live?
We’ve got a lot of roads through farmland once you get out of the city here…we’re real flatlanders
We really noticed the difference in terrain when we were out west and tried some geocaching. What folks think was pretty flat out there qualified as pretty intermediate in difficulty here…and that pretty much translated to some of the roads as well.
We love traveling off the beaten path, too. I love things like finding some cool vintage roadside kitsch or an old, abandoned graveyard along the side of the road. Fascinating stuff.
I moved to California from Washington & Montana. I still look at the steep roads and driveways and think–there is now way that would be built if it snowed here. Even after years of living in the eternal sun.