That Old Dirt Road

How many times have I/we talked about or taken rides on a dirt road.  In our teenage years the dirt roads were well traveled for deer, small game and turkey hunting, coon hunting, parties or just taking a ride.  We still do love to ride the back roads.  Now the remarks are much different than long ago.  We look out over the hills, or down on a small stream, cows grazing in a pasture, flocks of turkey or a loan grouse crossing the road, deer, bear, coyotes, fox etc., they all get an awe and look at that comment.  Often we stop just to watch them or take a picture.  Things look so much more precious and beautiful in this stage of life.  Simple little things we notice were never even mentioned years ago.  The dirt roads are peaceful and the ride goes much slower than on a 55 mile an hour black topped road.  Late evening or Sunday rides are last minute decisions.  Usually we have been doing work around the yard or chores when the mood hits to take a ride.  Sometimes we even take something to snack on and a camera.  Usually the camera is not needed if we remember it, it's the times we don't that a great picture is lost to only our memory.  How many times and by other families have these back roads been taken.  I know years ago Dr. Stevens traveled this area in her Doctors Buggy to visit her patients.  Through the mud and snow it must have been very difficult but in exchange it would have been a beautiful ride.  We have the buggy she used tucked away in the horse barn.  My dream was to get a buggy horse and take rides with it.  Unfortunately I talked to a Veterinarian than owned quite a few buggies and showed them in competition.  She told me about a time her horse got spooked and took off from the trail and through the woods hitting every tree along the way until there was nothing left of the buggy but the seat she was being dragged on.  No thank you, I shall stick to a car, not with a horse with it's own mind.

There is one back road that will forever be just a thought away.  When I lived up Horse Run there was a dirt road coming down off the hill behind the John Simons farm.  You know his kids, Willard (our dentist), Howard (Scuff), Mike and one daughter Grace.  Well I had been up that hill many times in my dad's truck.  The Messer Oil Lease was back on top and dad worked for them.  Unfortunately I had a new bike for my birthday and that dirt road coming down off the hill looked like a fun free ride once I pushed it to the top.  It was steep but when your 12 danger is not in our thoughts.  I never made it 1/4 of the way down before I lost control.  There was not a spot on my arms and legs that didn't have scraps, bruises and cuts.  I was a mess and pushed the bike all the way home.  My dad's words hurt just about as much as my injuries.  Now I look back and know it was out of worry and concern on what could have happened.  That's the way parents are, we love and we worry.

All clean!

This is what Beaver can do once they build a dam.  The Game Commission
doesn't want to bother them so upper Clara Rd is suffering. 

Years ago I never thought of the downside of riding the back roads.  Recently with the new bridge being replaced at the lower end of Clara Rd. we had to detour the Back Road to get in and out of Clara.  The back road is dirt, dusty dry dirt or wet and mucky mud.  Either way it was a miserable 3 long months.  We took the old truck as much as possible but there were times the car had to be the ride.  I went into a mode of don't look and don't think about how bad the car looks.  I have always been one to like a clean car, inside and out.  It was not until Monday, November 2, 2015, the car would get cleaned.  The bridge opened Friday, November 30.  We had to take a dirty car to MA for a long weekend.  We got home, unloaded the car, got out the shop vac and Armor All and started in.  The running boards for 3 months had left dirt on the back of our pant legs every time we got out.  Every little thing was crammed with dust and dirt.  The next day the outside got washed and waxed, tires sprayed with that stuff that makes them shinny.  Clean car, no dirt road for a very long time.  Only the old Chevy truck will be our back road enjoyment.

It's off to knitting and crocheting club tonight.  The group decided to change from Monday to Wednesday night.  Monday seemed hard to get everyone there, long weekends away, after a nice weekend of working outside or the fact many different groups meet on Monday nights.  So we shall see if the gals like  Wednesday.  With the time change I think we all will like using the get together for staying awake!  It's been a struggle at this house for sure.  By 7 pm we are watching the clock thinking, when will it be 9 pm.  Somehow going to bed earlier than 9 is embarrassing although it happens now and again.