When I was a kid, my dad would sometimes take a notion to load us up after church and go for a Sunday “drive.” This happened more often during the months that ushered in the changes of seasons, especially spring or fall, but it might happen when theroads had fi nally cleared after a winter snow had kept us at home for a while.
Dad would spend a good part of the afternoon driving around with a backseat load of kids with not one electronic device to keep us entertained. Maybe it sounds unimaginable in today’s culture, but it was a good idea back then.
As we took off through the countryside, we’d ask Dad where we were going.If he knew, he seldom divulged a defi nite destination. This felt a little adventurous to me. The thought of going someplace, and not really knowing where, was exciting. We were going wherever Dad and the car took us, and I could only imagine where we’d end up. And, no matter where that was, I knew my dad would know the way home.
Whether we bounced along dirt roads or droveunfamiliar highways, I don’t remember ever being bored or wishing we would hurry up and get there. I just kept looking to see what was out there and listening to Dad. Dad always seemed to know a story or tidbit of information to tell us about the area we drove through and sometimes about the people whose houses we passed. Mom seemed to enjoy these drives too, and maybe thatwas part of the appeal. My hard working parents had very little leisure time, and it was nice to observe them both doing something just for fun.
I still love taking “drives,” and it occurred to me the other day as I wandered through the Boxley Valley area, turning off a dirt road here and there, that this enjoyment could be a car-ryover from those Sunday drives we took years ago. Like my dad, I especially enjoy getting out during times of changing seasons and especially now as fall foliage is getting its color on.
My drives are a little different these days because, instead of kids in the backseat, I have my camera equipment. I stop when the notion strikes and I have been known to backtrack to take pictures of something I passed that caught my eye. Unlike my dad, I can’t wander too far from familiar roads because I did not inherit his good sense of direction.
Not all who wander are lost, some say, but in mycase it could be true. As long as I keep this in mind, my “drives” always have a happy ending back home. Just to be sure, though, I do travel with an electronic device. Not for entertainment purposes, but to help with directions should the need arise.
When have you taken a drive just for the fun of it?Now is the perfect time to enjoy the scenery in our beautiful state!
Annette Rowe is a freelance writer from rural Gentry and a speech-language pathologist at Siloam Springs High School. She may be reached by email at [email protected].
Opinion, Pages 4 on 10/30/2013