What makes two-lane highways like Route 66 unique?

Which of these experiences do you prefer: hitting the pavement at a stellar 95 miles per hour on the open interstate or cruising down that two-lane US or state highway listening to the sounds of the wind?

Unfortunately, most Americans travel down the interstate. I have heard a wide variety of reasons for this. They ranged from wanting to get from Point A-to-Point B in such and such a time to feeling like the are "road tripping" while riding down the interstate. (Wait a second, cruising down an interstate is considered to be "roadtripping?) While it is literally true, the person who stated this does not truly understand what it is like to cruise into Glenrio, TX on Route 66 or cross an 80 year old bridge off the Bankhead Highway in Milsap, TX (west of Mineral Wells and Fort Worth.

The two-lane highway, which precedes the interstate by a few decades, is the roadie's chance to explore parts of the country people who hit the interstate asphalt do not. On an interstate, one will see a plethora of gas stations, truck weigh stations and fast food signs on blue metallic signs, whereas on the two-lane highway travelers will see what a town is all about.

Additionally, it upsets me to hear people rather hang out and live in a city and not explore the rural or less populated areas for whatever reason. Moreover, many of these people tend to travel to Europe or hot spots in the nation, i.e. South Beach and New York City. Personally, there is nothing wrong with that, but it is time to get into that vehicle and start exploring your own neck of the woods. There are more treasures than meets the eye. For instance, I live in Houston, Texas and while traveling to Austin on US 290, I stopped in Giddings and experienced the best barbeque brisket to date.

Besides finding new places to eat one will find roadside vestiges of yesteryear. Examples include older gas stations, motels, unique objects like the Blue Whale off Route 66 in Catoosa, Oklahoma and murals like this sign in Galveston, TX.

Each of these pieces of the road bring us back to an era when highway traveling was much different. It gives today's adventurer a chance to soak in the odors of asphalt and nostaligia.

If you are planning your next vacation, just get into Henry Ford's concoction, pick a direction, avoid the interstate and enjoy the journey that awaits.