DISCOVER THE JOY OF EXPLORING COUNTRY ROADS

By Mary Emma Allen

On the 600-mile trip from New Hampshire to Ohio circumstances necessitated that my husband and I travel the last 200 miles at no more than 50 mph. We soon found we didn't want to drive that slowly along the New York Thruway on a Friday afternoon. So we exited at Rochester and cut cross-country over lesser traveled roads. Frustrated at first, because we wouldn't reach our destination as planned, we soon began to enjoy the scenery as we wound through small towns, up hill and down across miles of farm land with little traffic.

The day was sunny, the countryside amazingly green. Jim and I felt ourselves relaxing without the constant tense vigilance required when traveling along a superhighway when the weekend exodus is taking place. After leaving the dairy country, we traveled through vineyards along the shores of Lake Erie. Glimpses of the lake with the sun setting below the horizon was an additional bonus in this day vexed with many frustrations, including two flat tires. Although we were tired (we'd even left home an hour early that morning...at 5 AM) when we reached our daughter and son-in-law's home near Cleveland, we felt enriched because we'd had the pleasure of a more leisurely trip midst splendid scenery.

Too Often Bypass Country Roads

In these days of superhighways, we so often bypass the country roads in our hurry to reach our destinations. Highways are straightened, hills cut through, stream beds changed, and trees sawed down so the roadsides can be maintained easily with modern machinery. This all seems necessary as more people desire to get to more places more quickly. However, if we are not in a hurry and want to do some exploring, we still can find country roads to travel.

Magic of Country Roads

There is something about a country road that is friendly and welcoming. Unless it's a dirt road in mud season! You can meander along these roads at less than superhighway speed. In fact, you have to. You take time to notice the beauties along the way...the towering, gnarled tree that has stood for decades, the rippling brook wandering across the meadow, the cow and calf grazing near the thicket, and the multitudes of wild flowers blooming brilliantly in the wild.

Everyone will discover their favorite country roads if they take time to explore. Here are a few you might want to travel throughout the country.

Suggested Country Roads

*Route 5 from Buffalo, NY to , Ohio follows the shore of Lake Erie, providing glimpses of the water. It goes through small towns and the larger city of Dunkirk, as well as past numerous vineyards. (If you're traveling here in the fall when the grapes are ripe, the aroma is enticing.) Dunkirk, with its lighthouse and War of 1812 historic sites might be a place where you'd like to linger.

*Route 28 in Idaho offers you much diverse country to see from Mud Lake to Salmon. One stretch is so straight you seem to see the road for miles ahead before it reaches the mountains.

*The Skyline Drive of Virginia is a country type road, although one of the more publicized ones. However, it's well worth traveling.

*Route 2 across the Lake Champlain Islands in Vermont is another we've enjoyed.

*Route 4, from Quechee to Rutland, Vermont leads the traveler through lovely countryside and picturesque villages.

*Route 26 from Ogallala, Nebraska to Fort Laramie, Wyoming follows many portions of the Oregon and Mormon Trails, with their views of historic sites.

*The Kancamagus Highway, Route 112, across the White Mountains of New Hampshire provides you with scenic views and pull-offs where you can get out and explore the countryside. Many hiking trails lead off the Kanc.

*In Florida, Route 11 from Bunnell to De Land enables you to miss heavy superhighway traffic during peak times and gives you a glimpse of agricultural countryside.

The list could go on endlessly; you must have your favorites, too. Begin exploring some of these country roads where the maximum speed is lower than the superhighways, where small towns beckon, and you take the time to explore. You may find, as others have, that often the winding byways of life can prove more interesting than always taking the straight and quickest path.

(Write to the Dept. of Tourism in individual states or the Chambers of Commerce of larger towns along the route to find out more about any of the country roads I've mentioned. Most of these also have web sites where you can find information about that state or area.)

(c)2003 Mary Emma Allen (Mary Emma Allen travels extensively for business, writing research, and pure pleasure. She relates her experiences in Vagabond Traveler. She has been editor of two travel publications and often writes about dining on the road for her cooking column. An author, illustrator, and speaker, she writes and gives programs for children and adults.

Visit her web site: http://homepage.fcgnetworks.net/jetent/mea E-mail: me.allen@juno.com