The two-lane whispers

 

This past weekend, I went on an ad-lib road trip to Texarkana, TX and AR. In the process, uncovered a stretch of the Bankhead Highway, an all-weather coast-to-coast highway that ran from Washington D.C. to San Diego, CA., that brought out the inner Doc Brown.

The rest of the world was driving down modern day US 67 in their F-250's and Mercedes SUV's, searching, like an arrow to a bull's eye it seemed, for their destinations. However, I decided to slow it down, shut the air conditioner and soak in the humidity. The tires trekked down US 59 before issuing a left onto US 67.

 

Like many motels that housed tired motorists along other two-lane highways, this establishment offers locals and travelers a reasonable discount and a good night's rest.

Incoming traffic was light, especially compared to I-30 traffic, but kept the soul honest enough to pay attention despite the glitter of eye candy that lined up the peripherals.

(The Shamrock was technically off US 71, but was tantalizingly close to 67.)

The truck crept ahead as both Texarkanas mingled before giving way to the other.

 

After dealing with narrow two lanes and heavy traffic,

 

I began to ponder, "stay on 82 or head left onto 67?" Wheels trot onto 67 as the urban soundtrack slowly gives way to choruses of crickets and crunchy grasses. Slowly turning right by the AR 296 marker before issuing a sharp left onto Mandeville Rd, allows the soul to enter back in time in an era marked by log roads and memories of people's aspirations along the Southwest Trail, which was the earliest road in what became Arkansas. It was also surprisingly supported by President Andrew Jackson (Maysville Road Veto), who designated it as a "National Road." One result was the migration of families from the South and East coast. Upon hearing about the area’s natural wealth in bottomlands, lumber, and game they began flocking to the area to "squat on any unoccupied land and grow cotton or corn."

 

 

Rubbing shoulders with some of the wagons along what was the Cairo & Fulton Railway and later the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern felt like a rendezvous with a mysterious lover. Surrounded by pine trees, scattered ranches and churches,(Hope this affair was not caught!) it was time to let the wind guide the heart. Minutes later, trees slowly gave way as two parallel universes emerged.

 

Modern day 67 meets the lonely concrete slabbed road, laced with occasional bouts of asphalt and long weeds. It was one of the first nine Arkansas highways to become part of the US highway system in 1925 and aided travelers heading from Dallas, TX to Memphis. Four years later, the McKinney Bayou Bridge was produced by Texarkana, TX firm, McGuire and Cavender. Today, it continues to greet souls that happen to take an interest.

 

While to the left is its replacement, the 1954 version,

 

which is fitting considering it was the year President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the latest installment of the Federal Aid Highway Act, and with it issuing a major blow to many two-lane highways across the nation.

Despite the road bump, the mind continued to roll through thick bushes and gravel as echoes of F-250s with wooden flatbeds bringing cotton into Texarkana soared past the grill of my truck.

For once, the soul remained lost in time.

For information on the route I took or if you are interested in more about the Bankhead and its role in Arkansas, check out

Steven Varner - American Road- Bankhead Highway - ARK

Mandeville, AR