I would hate to redrive those miles
but knowing where they ended up made them worthy
trips to new places, usually at night to feel the cool and the quiet
thrum of power gliding us along staring ahead, thoughts drifting
then settling in to the numb meditation
necessary to drive five hundred miles at once.
Roads usually taking us to places we didn't know we wanted to go.
Ansel Adams Road-Nevada
No passing -- you must stay and appreciate the view.
"How many times must a man look up
before he can see the sky?" (Mr. Dylan)
I love this. I think it is 'quintessentially' American - road trips of hundreds and hundreds of miles .... we are a 'car' culture, and there is something soothing to me about driving at night, with windows rolled down, driving miles and miles and miles .... a meditation.
ReplyDeleteNice!
xxx
"…because he had no place he could stay in without getting tired of it and because there was nowhere to go but everywhere, keep rolling under the stars….."
ReplyDelete-Jack Kerouac, On The Road
xxx
I seriously related to your post.
ReplyDeleteOne of the huge disconnects I have with my wife and her family is my love of the drive going on vacation. They want to hit warp speed and get to the destination as fast as possible. While that is perfectly okay often I want to take my time and make side trips to things I see along the way.
This really resonates in me to my being, every part, the night driving, the cool air the length of the journey and the destination being somewhere I didn't know I wanted to be.
ReplyDeleteThe freakiest one I ever did was pitch black driving the causeway into New Orleans. It was like being on a miles long runway, no lights but the car lights and reflective white stripes.
road trips!!....aah always fun..and at night they got their own thrill!
ReplyDeletehttp://sushmita-smile.blogspot.in/
Love this thoughts ...really loved...and I love the photo that goes with it...
ReplyDeleteBy the way please feel free if you have seen a poem that you liked in my blog please do not hesitate to share if you wish on your blog
Hugs
Nasra
Those are great photos. I love driving along long stretches of road. Ours tend to be more windy through the countryside or like a car park on a motorway!
ReplyDeleteOn a totally separate note, I love your pictures on your other blog, particularly the one called 'Just a thought in my head' - how do you make these?
The divided highway of life; some coming, some going and the view different each way. Funny one doesn't often think of how far one has come but how far one has yet to go...
ReplyDeleteI never liked driving or road trips. I've always been a hurry up person, and would take a plane. In the last few years, flying has become so utterly unpleasant, I've started driving again, and find it quite pleasant.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely metaphor for life! Taking us on detours, and depositing us at the unexpected.
Yes, the places we didn't know we wanted to go. I feel a roadtrip coming on...
ReplyDeleteOn another note, re your comment about my post about the shooting in Colorado, I guess you're right, I shouldn't be surprised. Between the NRA and FOX we hardly stand a chance.
The Adams photo reminded me that I've driven across Nevada a number of times at night--love it, but also love driving across that great state in the daylight.
ReplyDeleteThese are amazing photos that evoke memories and fantasies. I don't know how I missed this post the first time around. Shame on me.
ReplyDeleteThrum is a word that needs to be used more.