GUTHRIE, Ky. — Sometimes you just want to drive.
Country highways and scenic back roads offer a quick and easy escape from the everyday grind. And regionally, there’s a plethora of these roadways to help anyone escape, even if just for a few hours.
A good drive is more than just a sight-seeing excursion; it’s a chance to get lost in music.
Everywhere I drive, I look for the local radio stations, a change of pace from what I am accustomed to hearing every day. Part of the escape is experiencing an escape from the daily routine.
This past weekend, Rob, a friend of mine from Columbus, Ohio, came to visit. So, on Sunday, we decided to take a jaunt into the back roads in southern Kentucky and Middle Tennessee.
As a fan of trains and photography, the opportunity lent itself perfectly to both.
Standing outside Robert Penn Warren’s house in Guthrie, the sound of a passing CSX freight train resonated through the town’s streets. Looking at each other, we knew we had only one chance to catch the train for a photo opportunity.
So, we hopped into my car and headed south on US. Highway 41. Before long, we approached Adams in Robertson County and staked our territory alongside the tracks.
It wasn’t too long before the freight came roaring past our location and the shutters of our two cameras snapped.
That rush of adrenaline was just the start to an enjoyable day on the back streets.
Perhaps, as we soon experienced, one of the true joys of a drive is finding the unique dining spots along the road. There is no better way to take in the local culture than a greasy spoon on any country highway.
“I felt like I was in a John Mellencamp song,” Rob says of the experience.
Too often, especially on a typical workday, it’s easy to look towards the same restaurants for a quick and easy fill. But on the back roads of America, nothing beats taking the time to enjoy lunch and get away from it all.
I’m ready for another drive.