Sometimes you just have to slow down.

I had to go to Macon, GA yesterday,almost a five hour drive. As usual I hit the interstate, put the hammer down and blasted past the world. For a change I got done earlier than usual, so I set the GPS for shortest route rather than fastest time and came back through the country. What a great drive. It took more than an hour longer than the interstate but it sure was worth it. Even driving a E150 rather than some little sports car it was a fun drive. You see all kinds of neat things when you get out of haul butt mode and just enjoy seeing what's out there. The country side in GA also has the advantage of almost no traffic. From the time I left Macon until I got to Walterboro at I95 150 miles later I bet I didn't see 100 cars on the road. The only one I had to pass was a beat up old truck hauling pine straw at 20 mph.

If you get a chance, slow down and and see what you're missing.

Getting off the I road is a very good thing. Stop and buy lunch in a small town, too. They will appreciate it, although if you sit at the wrong table, there could be some trouble when the regulars show up.

Sometimes its the ride no need to rush it

Streetwiseguy wrote: Getting off the I road is a very good thing. Stop and buy lunch in a small town, too. They will appreciate it, although if you sit at the wrong table, there could be some trouble when the regulars show up.

That's OK. I'm a Southerner, too..and I know just to say, "..aw, man! Did I get y'all's table? I'm just passin' through, I can move." As my grandmother used to say, "Good manners are the grease that allow the gears of society to turn."

EDIT: I wouldn't try it in a small bar, tho..

I had a couple hour drive the other day that could have been almost door to door by freeway. I chose the back roads. It actually took me less time than Google maps (I don't have a GPS) said the freeway would. For even more fun, I took a completely different way back, just guessing when, and where to turn. I ended up going through Mennonite country, seeing some cool stuff, and getting back right on time. I didn't see her either way, though.

My trip to and from school is a boring mess of highway for about 100 miles and I like finding new roads to avoid the main ones. Haven't been disappointed yet.

My trip to and from school is about 130 miles of straight roads. If I take the interstate, I see flat cornfields at 70-80MPH. If I take country roads, I see flat cornfields at 60-80 MPH. I take the interstate home.

sometimes you just have to canoe

Tippicanoe & Tyler too!

In reply to mtn:

But if you take the gravel roads, at least you can pendulum-turn on the corners.

petegossett wrote: In reply to mtn: But if you take the gravel roads, at least you can pendulum-turn on the corners.

I've never tried that in a E150. Wonder how long it would take to pick up the pieces.

Love backroads and exploring..

Toyman, You need to see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feasting_on_Asphalt

They start the 1st season at Jacks Cosmic Dog in MountP. I miss Jacks.

I actually went to school with Jack. He did some great dogs. Unfortunately he put his Mustang into the national forest at a high rate of speed.

I'm not sure who's running it now, but the restaurant is still there and the dogs are still top notch.

Thanks for the link.

I am orphancars and I support this idea............

I always used to drive I-35 down to Austin and San Antonio from the DFW area. Last time I took the side roads and avoided the interstate. Took slightly longer, not much to matter, but the trip was more fun. It's almost a rhythm........slow down in the small towns, pick up speed between.

And yes, stop off in the small places and get a better meal than the chain places on teh innarstate.

Toyman01 wrote: I had to go to Macon, GA yesterday,almost a five hour drive. As usual I hit the interstate, put the hammer down and blasted past the world. For a change I got done earlier than usual, so I set the GPS for shortest route rather than fastest time and came back through the country. What a great drive. It took more than an hour longer than the interstate but it sure was worth it. Even driving a E150 rather than some little sports car it was a fun drive. You see all kinds of neat things when you get out of haul butt mode and just enjoy seeing what's out there. The country side in GA also has the advantage of almost no traffic. From the time I left Macon until I got to Walterboro at I95 150 miles later I bet I didn't see 100 cars on the road. The only one I had to pass was a beat up old truck hauling pine straw at 20 mph. If you get a chance, slow down and and see what you're missing.

Sweet dude. Sure wish you'd take them back roads to NORTH Georgia some time. There's a bunch of good ones up here.

^ Gucci canoe

stone canoe