Weekends spent traveling the back roads
A top-rated episode of The Andy Griffith Show is “Barney’s First Car.” In this episode, Barney buys a 1954 Ford from Mrs. Lesch. Unbeknownst to Barney, the car is a complete lemon, and Mrs. Lesch is a first-class hustler. Barney only discovers this after the car breaks down during a leisurely drive in the countryside on a Sunday afternoon.
When I was growing up, Sunday drives in the country were a trendy pastime. My family did it quite often. Sometimes we went to my grandfather’s farm, or occasionally we would visit my aunt and uncle. But whatever the destination, it was always an enjoyable afternoon.
About twenty years ago, I had to adjust my driving habits radically. Due to severe vision issues, I can no longer drive on any freeways or at night. So, I must plan my routes using two-lane highways and county roads. It was a difficult adjustment, but I soon realized I enjoy traveling the back roads of Wisconsin. With reduced speed and less traffic, I now enjoy the country scenery. Seeing cattle grazing and farmers busy in their fields was something I missed when driving freeways. I also go through small towns that I had previously bypassed without thinking about their presence. I had forgotten all the quaint homes and streets small towns can have. It may take longer to reach my destination, but the extra time is worth the slower pace.
Whenever we travel to Dorchester, we pass through several large Amish and Mennonite settlements in Clark County. It isn’t uncommon to encounter a convoy of Amish buggies as they travel to and from church services. And we never make the trip without experiencing several large groups of Mennonite teens riding their bicycles on County Trunk X. We must drive even slower through this area.
Over the past twelve years, we have spent many Saturday and Sunday afternoons traveling the back roads in my Mayberry squad car. And like Barney, I have experienced car problems where I had to call a tow truck. Fortunately, the issues were never as problematic as Barney’s. But still, it is never fun to have a “break down” along a country highway on a Sunday afternoon, especially when the driver is mechanically challenged.
In the coming years, as my cars and I continue to age and add mileage, I suspect I will drive fewer miles. However, I will continue to take advantage of a slower pace while out on the roads to appreciate all the beauty our countryside has to offer.
BE OUR
G UEST
KEN ANDERSON “THE MAYBERRY GURU”
