3 posts tagged “america”

There is a "philosophy" behind the travels that Connie and I enjoy so much, which I would call "see America before its gone," or alternately "while its still here." This applies to both man-made and natural artifacts and environments.

Every day, buildings or businesses from an earlier era disappear. Many small towns, and many family farms, and many steel mills and other industrial sites, have essentially "dried up." The same is true, of course, of areas of natural beauty or ecological importance.

Meanwhile, the U.S. (and the world!) is becoming much more homogeneous. The same restaurants, the same stores, everywhere you go. Essential signs of "localism" and regionalism are disappearing.  

Site of the old Half Day Inn

Driving the "old roads" is a way to see some of what is left, and elements of what is now closed or gone. Often one travels just a couple miles away from the interstates, but still, it can be a whole different world.

Back Road

What are you ashamed of?

I am ashamed that this great country cannot conduct a Presidential campaign on a serious basis, without descending to personal attacks and pointless jibes.  And that it is so drawn out, and costs so much money!  We must look like fools to much of the rest of the world.  That, on top of our costly misadventure in Iraq, is hardly befitting of the world's greatest power.

At least we do have non-violent contests for changing leadership.  In the broad sweep of history, the American system of Constitutional representative government is a kind of miracle.

But we are falling so short of our ideals and potential.  It is embarrassing!  I'm glad I don't have to travel abroad very often, it would be hard to face the questions.

diner lights

Wherever we travel, we are always watch for diners.  Is it nostalgia?  Or for the food?  Both, I think.

rusted old diner