go on a road trip only using old US Highways

Whilst driving east and west this past week, I got to see a good part of the Richmond, VA, portion of this highway. Had I not wanted to drive home in the shortest amount of time possible, I could’ve just headed westward out of Richmond and ultimately wound my way around to about 25 miles south of my house in Ohio, but alas, not this time. Damn . . .

I got to drive up and down about a twenty-mile stretch of US-1 while in South Florida this past week. It really re-kindled my interest in getting to do this for real.

OK, after watching part three of Alton Brown’s Feasting on Asphalt on Food Network, I totally want to do this. Which isn’t to say I didn’t before, but now it just seems so much more real.

And it isn’t just the thrill of old highways and byways and skipping the homogenity of the Interstate, but obviously since I’m watching this on Food Network, the food seems to be playing a major part in this as well. I’d love to stop in at most of the places Alton’s been (I can do without the brain sandwich he encountered in Indiana, though), or places similar to that. Much as I love McDonald’s and Waffle House, obviously there’s more out there just waiting to be found.

I’m not like most people who want to go on Route 66 and all the other roads—I actually have nothing against the Interstate, at least not the stretches I’m accustomed to. When I have to drive to get somewhere, I like getting there quickly. However, sometimes I also think that the journey is the destination itself (yes, how altogether Zen and trite at the same time).

I’ve travelled a stretch of Route 66 through Albuquerque, and I’ve been on stretches of other US Routes (I’m fortunate enough to live near two rather rural stretches of US Route 30, and a rural stretch of US Route 62). I like the idea of seeing towns and cities I’d otherwise sail though just to make a quick trip. I like seeing downtowns and knowing I won’t get lost so long as I continue following the signs. I want to stop at roadside diners and such (check out Alton Brown’s new show on Food Network some time to see what I mean). For once, I want to be a tourist!