 | ||
| Sunset, Rockford, IL copyright MM Sikes |
We just got home from almost two weeks of driving (with five days spent in Alexis Lavine's excellent artist workshop). During that time we drove through 11 states, and I couldn't help but wonder how the first settlers managed as they traveled by covered wagon or horses through the rough Pennsylvania mountains and across vast plains.
As I researched one of my novels, I discovered a series of books, Covered Wagon Women, in which Kenneth L. Holmes compiles letters and diaries written by women making treacherous cross-country journeys. One of the diaries from 1868 describes the journey of a woman who started from Liverpool, England with her family, traveled by boat, train, and then covered wagon. Along the way her young baby died, and she witnessed other tragedies.
Today, it is easy to see why Katharine Bates was inspired to write America the Beautiful following a trip to Pike's Peak in Colorado in 1893. We passed "amber waves of grain" and "purple mountains majesty" all along the way as well as many other majestic sights. In Wisconsin, a giant rock formation caused by a glacier appeared out of nowhere along the edge of the highway. And I discovered why the Wisconsin license plate features a red barn. They were everywhere!
The people of Ohio should be proud of the lovely service plazas located about every 40 miles along I-80. Besides state of the art restrooms, they have attractive food courts with well-landscaped outdoor dining areas featuring attractive round tables. A centrally-located TV monitor provides timely weather information. These plazas make inviting highway rest stops.
And one evening in the middle of our trip, we saw a perfect half-rainbow and then the most glorious sunset followed with the richest colors I have ever viewed. What a wonder to be free to drive across America!
Mary Montague Sikes
7 comments:
So true! One of my favorite trips ever was taking my motorcycle from Toronto to New Mexico. You never know what it feels like until you do it.
Remove all the dumb drivers and it would be even better! Oh, and the road construction, too.
What a great trip, Robin, but you really have to be daring to go by motorcycle!
The worst of the road construction was in PA where we had our longest delays. Indianapolis is probably really awful during the work week. We passed through quickly on Saturday!
Thanks for this and for all your lovely posts! I've awarded you a One Lovely Blogger Award! Come to my site, http://MarianAllen.com and pick it up. :)
Hugs,
Marian
Yet another gorgeous photo!! :)
Sounds like a great trip. Makes me want to drop everything and hit the road!
This is an amazing country for a long drive, that's for sure. We'll be taking another drive in September and plan to stay off the interstates so we can slow down a bit and enjoy many of the small towns we'll pass through. Should be a lovely trip.
Patricia
Post a Comment