Sometimes It Is the Road and Not Where It Takes You

Blue Highways is all about back roads, but we all have our favorite roads, right? For instance, one of mine is a very busy highway.  

These are some of my favorite roads from my travels. 

When I lived in St Petersburg, Florida  I decided to find out what all the fuss is about, so I took off one Saturday morning for Key West. I wasn’t quite ready for the beauty on this road trip. 

When you get to Miami, it’s still more than 150 miles to Florida’s southernmost point - about 90 miles north of Cuba. The drive on the Overseas Highway is long, but beautiful. It takes travelers over 42 bridges that cross Florida Bay, the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. 

Along the way are a string of small communities with seafood restaurants, more than a few bars, resorts, and the sort of scenery that makes you want to stop and visit for a while. 

The Keys Highway was designated as Florida’s first and only All-American Road by the US Federal Highway Administration. 

Another one of my favorite roads Route 441 in North Georgia, a winding route through the state’s mountains and foothills. The air is cleaner here and the views are priceless. 

Rugged terrain and scenic beauty are very much a part of this road, and nearby towns like Clayton feature local shops, restaurants, and businesses such as Goats on the Roof, which features goats on its roof. I love truth in advertising, and it remains one of the most interesting things I have seen on a road trip. 

If you want some serious exercise, check out Tallulah Gorge State Park. You can take the steps down to the gorge, all 1099 of them. Charleston Highway from Aiken to Folly Beach is another of my favorites. You will go through small towns and communities, and as you get closer to the Charleston area, the tree canopies make the drive worth it. It’s the perfect drive to slow down before you arrive at Folly Beach, with its laid-back lifestyle. Their motto is “Relax, Slow Down, it’s Folly!”