Americana on the Road

Added Note – I have been putting this post together for awhile and with current events canceling plans, this has become memories of road trips from the past and anticipation of future trips to come. 

I usually don’t blog about anything other than gardening, but I came across some interesting things while traveling back and forth across the country the last few years. I thought I would combine them into a post.

At the airport, someone had lent President Bush a hat for the hot sunny day ahead.

On a marble pedestal under the exit sign and fire alarm,  Ben was watching the comings and goings at the restrooms.

(Ben Franklin was an American founding father)

At a highway rest stop we found an entire passenger train car.  The rest stop workers were not happy with a train taking up all the spaces and sent them on their way.

What? Apparently it was once high tech.

Yes, pay phones exist.

In Mississippi someone just got tired of being asked “Where are we?”.

There are no photos to go with these experiences, but at another rest stop in Tennessee an older gentleman was playing guitar and singing.  At a hotel in the same state, the young woman that set up the buffet was singing hymns in a crystal clear voice.

 

A classic American Fourth of July day ended on a village green with The Repasz Band playing patriotic songs. The band  is the oldest continuous band in America and also played at the surrender at Appomattox.

I can image that a rest stop worker lovingly made this pergola and added the sign to the bench.  Potted flowers reflected the season.

The bench faced a tree of handmade birdhouses.

The porta pots were at the very, very far end of the parking lot. It could be quite a cold experience in the winter.

This turnpike rest stop really went all out with the decorations.  I know for a fact that the tabletop trees were used in other years.  Empty Cinnabon boxes and Coke ads finished off the decor.

Decorations also included a large Santa and tree.  It was all really festive for the weary traveler.

So far this year, we had to cancel three road trips and a flight. A family wedding and graduation had to be missed.  Hopefully before long, we will all be able to follow the road to the rainbow’s end.


13 Comments on “Americana on the Road”

  1. Love the visual content! Thanks for sharing. Greetings from London.

  2. A most lovely post of travels and memories. You captured some really sweet things, and life at a slower pace, that really touched my heart. Made me want to slow down and take notice of what is around me instead of always rushing.

  3. Nice, whoever thought we would be dreaming of interstate rest stops.

  4. Ann Coleman says:

    I loved the photo that showed the rainbow’s end the best, but all are good! Thanks for sharing….it does help to remember past trips and to realize that we will be able to travel again. Your post made me remember just how much fun a road trip can be!

  5. shoreacres says:

    I laughed at the red button for the weather forecast — that was a new one. I do know where there’s at least one remaining pay phone; it’s on the side of a convenience store in Angleton. It’s been there for years. I used to stop and use it from time to time to call my mom and let her know I almost was home. Those were the days of phone cards — like credit cards for phone calls.

    I got a kick out of Ben Franklin keeping an eye on the restrooms, too. I suspect we’ve invented several things he’d enjoy, himself.

  6. pbmgarden says:

    Interesting sights! Sorry you’ve had to miss planned trips. I had only one planned but also had to let it go.


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