Butch Thinks You Might Like the ‘Back Road’

   My folks made several trips to Crawfordsville through the years when I was a youngster . . . to shop, picnic at Milligan Park or visit Mom’s family. Our house was 2 1/2 miles southeast of Darlington, and the trip down Old State Road 47 was a good 30-35 minute drive, winding through many curves along the way. Dad’s top speed was about 35 mph, and my siblings and I looked out the windows at the houses and farms and people along the way.

   After “new” State Road 47 was completed in the early 1960s, the trip was shortened considerably. At that time, there were virtually no houses along the new road, as the path cut through farmland. Most people drove the 55 speed limit, and could make it there in 10 minutes. But alas, a much more boring trip.

   Nowadays, a person can also arrive at far away destinations much faster thanks to the interstate highways that were built in the late 1950s and early 1960s. But they have the same problem … straight … no curves … and boring. There are many instances of accidents occurring because drivers fall asleep. In addition, these super highways are sometimes so congested, with crazy, speeding cars and semi trucks … that it is downright scary!

   My wife and I go to Lafayette every weekend. After driving the county roads to Stockwell, we would cut east over to US 52 and take a straight shot in. But a few years ago, I decided to take another route, a left turn at the Stockwell post office, and then the country road that winds west and north … by farms, older homes, a cemetery, along a creek and through hills and valleys, ending on the old Concord Road. Very little traffic. Of course, it takes longer, but why be in hurry anyway? This “back road” route is more relaxed, we can enjoy the scenery, and not worry about being run over on US 52, where virtually no one obeys the 60 mph speed limit.

   I like the back roads. They fit my personality perfectly. During most of my working life, I was always in a hurry … two full-time jobs, raising a family of four children, trying to make ends meet … constant stress. Now I am 76 years old, and although I still work full-time, there is very little stress. I am not in a hurry. I can take my time … and like the country singer Rodney Atkins’s song “Take a Back Road”…

   “Sit in that six-lane backed up traffic, horns are honking, I’ve about had it. I’m looking for an exit sign, gotta get out of here, get it all off my mind … Maybe it’s the feeling or maybe it’s the freedom … Get lost and get right with my soul … Makes me wanna take, makes me wanna take a back road.”

   One of the things that my Dad liked to do was drive around the countryside, look over the crops, and stop and visit other farmers. I tagged along, stood in the back of his old Dodge pickup, and enjoyed seeing all of the farms and people … and this being Indiana, of course everyone always waved, whether they knew you or not. Many farmers and others still like to drive around the countryside today … off the beaten path.

    Try taking the back road yourself once in a while … I think you’ll like it. And guess what, if you wave to a stranger, even today they will still wave back!

John “Butch” Dale is a retired teacher and County Sheriff. He has also been the librarian at Darlington the past 36 years, and is a well-known artist and author of local history.