Baby boomers have been driving the super highways for nearly 30 years, watching the scenery fly by at 75 miles per hour. But are we missing the real America?
"I believe there is a renewed interest today in those two-lane roads we remember from so long ago," states Loren Eyrich, editor and publisher of "Two-Lane Roads", a quarterly newsletter about back roads travel. "With most of the heavy traffic now diverted to interstate highways, the old roads can be fun to drive."
Indeed, Eyrich's newsletter, which chronicles his meanderings across the country in a small motor home, is full of colorful people and out-of-the way places found along America's two-lane highways.
There Was An Old Woman...
Everyone knows the rest of the nursery rhyme, but you have to travel US 30 east of York, Penn. to see a real-life example. Self-proclaimed "Shoe Wizard" Mahlon N. Haines built The Haines Shoe House in 1948. Five levels in all, it contains three bedrooms, two baths, a kitchen and living rooms. There's even a shoe-shaped dog house in the yard.
The Haines Shoe House, located off U.S. 30 east of
York, Penn., is an example of the treasures you'll discover traveling the
two-lane highways of America.
Born in 1875, "Colonel" Haines built a chain of more than 40 retail shoe stores in Pennsylvania and Maryland from humble beginnings as a consignment sales man. The house, which features stained glass in every window, was built as a publicity stunt. Haines would loan the house to employees, free of charge, for special occasions such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries and honeymoons. Visitors had a maid, car and chauffeur at their disposal!
Current owner, Ruth R. Miller, acquired the house in 1995 and offers guided tours Wednesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 6 PM, or by appointment (717) 755-1296. From US 30, take the Hallam exit south, then travel west on State Road 462 (Old Lincoln Highway) and north on Shoe House Road.
Here Today, Here Forever!
Hoping to sidetrack tourists traveling along US 287 on their way to the Rocky Mountains, Lamar, Colo. lumber dealer W. G. Brown built a one-of-a-kind petrified wood gas station in 1932.
Motorists on U.S. 287 can see a one-of-a-kind petrified
wood gas station in Lamar, Colo.,
another unique attraction of two-lane travel.
Flame-resistant and fireproof, the structure is made entirely of 175,000,000-year-old petrified wood and is still a sight to be seen. The largest piece of wood weighs in at 3,200 pounds. "Ripley's Believe It or Not" claims it's the only such structure in the world.
Currently owned by Stagner Tire, the old station still attracts tourists interested in a unique photo opportunity.
"Motoring on Route 287 is like turning back the clock 40 years," notes Eyrich. "Most of the highway, which runs from the gulf coast in Port Arthur, Texas to northern Montana, is still two lanes. It will take you right through Yellowstone and very near Rocky Mountain Glacier National Parks."
Finding Hidden Treasures
Old US 41 doesn't see much traffic anymore, according to Eyrich, with folks zipping up and down I-75. "What a pity!" he says, noting that travelers will miss Swint's Pecan Candy Shop and the lovely scenery of Milner, Ga. "Pecan trees nearly form an arch over the old two-lane road. At a curve sits Swint's Pecan Candy Shop."
If you take the time to stop, you learn quite a bit of local history. For instance, William K. "Ink" Swint was about six years old when the tress yielded their first crop of pecans. Previously, the region had been farmed for cotton before the boll weevil wiped out the entire crop. In 1926, Ink's father built the candy shop and his grandmother went to work cooking and selling pecan candy to motorists driving US 41 to and from Florida.
For the past 56 years, Ink's wife, Marie, has worked the sales counter while he makes the candy -- as much as 650 pounds per day!
Spreading the News
Since 1991, 52-year-old Eyrich has been exploring America's back roads, searching for offbeat attractions. He spends an average of six weeks on the road, four times a year. Upon returning home, he compiles, prints and mails stories of his adventures to subscribers of "Two-Lane Roads."
"The paper is read by a small but loyal audience," Eyrich says. "It's not terribly serious; we're a bit offbeat and darn proud of it! I enjoy checking out claims for 'oldest', 'smallest' or the such and such 'capital of the world'. Every little town has some claim to fame."
Subscriptions to "Two-Lane Roads" are $14 per year ($18 in Canada). To order, contact: Two-Lane Roads, P.O. Box 23518, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33307-3518, or call 1-888-TWO-LANE. Eyrich also invites people to visit his Web site at: www.two-lane.com. (ARA)
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Courtesy of Article Resource Association, www.aracopy.com.
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