Today a fellowship member needed some supplies that I had. She lives an hour west of my house so we arranged to meet halfway. However, when she threw out a meeting time of 3:30 pm I was annoyed; that's right in the middle of my least productive part of the day. However, she really needed the supplies so I agreed.
My route to the meeting location took me west on Interstate 44. Because I'm never out at that time I didn't realize that it was the beginning of rush hour traffic. Another annoyance. Traffic going eastbound was gridlocked for several miles, and decided I would not go home that way.
I gritted my teeth as I navigated around multiple semi trucks and a pickup that was weaving in and
out of traffic. The first four miles going west on 44 is
lined with development, but all of a sudden you enter the Forest 44
Corridor and there is a dramatic change in the scenery, with rolling
hills lined with heavy greenery and no development. That change completely
changed my attitude.
Continuing several miles down the highway I passed over the Meramec River,
which is straddled by the former city of
Times Beach
(the site of a major environmental disaster and now a state park). No
development here!
In two more miles I was at Eureka and exited the interstate.
I had made the decision not to get back on the highway. Fortunately I knew the
area well enough to take surface streets-first going north and then east. The trip
ended up being just what I needed. The first half consisted of two lane roads
that wound up, down, and around the rolling hills. Even though there was very little
traffic I didn't feel safe stopping for a photo, it was very similar to this:
|
| Pxhere |
After a turn that took me down a subdivision-lined street, the next portion of the drive skirted the perimeter of a state park. Once again there was nature to the right and left of me. I was bummed when the park ended, because the next two turns were onto heavily traveled, four lane roads. Instead of looking at the wonders of nature around me I had to concentrate on the traffic.
Five years ago today: Polite, Pleasant, Personable
Glad you made the most of this trip-Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteSince moving here I am no longer used to the hustle bustle of commuter traffic. I don’t miss it. It does sound like a drive I would like. I always take the backroads when I can. I figure I spent more than 50 years in a congested area and now I don’t need to anymore.
ReplyDeleteI rarely am on the highways during peak traffic, and it makes a huge difference.
DeleteI don't think I've ever been in Lone Elk Park.
ReplyDeleteI've been a handful of times, but I think other county parks have better accommodations for picnickers and hikers.
DeleteHow lovely to have a place called Eureka! Travelling on busy roads is not my choice, either, and I'm not used to them.
ReplyDeleteThe name came from railroad engineers who, when they came across a nice flat swath of land in the middle of rocks cried "Eureka"
DeleteWhen I opened up your blog and saw the picture of the road sign I thought, "Oh, they're visiting California! Eureka isn't the far from either of your kids' places. Oh, a bit more of a drive than you had that day, but still doable. Maybe one of these times when you are out here...
ReplyDeleteI will have to add Eureka, California to my list of places to visit.
DeleteThat last picture is great. I love roads like that.
ReplyDeleteHighway driving can be stressful.
ReplyDeleteGod bless always.
Especially when there's a lot of traffic.
DeleteOh girl...this sounds so much like me. If I have not accomplished what I had planned for the day by noon, then my mind just is not happy. I like to get up...get going and get things done. Nothing worse than being stuck in traffic especially in the afternoon. Glad you were able to enjoy a small portion of the drive.
ReplyDeleteEvery blue moon I can be productive after lunch, but I sure don't count on it.
DeleteThat's wonderful.
ReplyDelete