Focus on the Backroads » Photo Journeys

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  • FOCUS ON THE BACKROADS

    There is approximately 50,000 miles of Interstate Highway in the United States.....filled with cars traveling at an average of 75 miles an hour. Several years ago I began driving the BACKROADS throughout Texas and the surrounding states - discover many fascinating places and people. While traveling "off the beaten path" I have tried to capture the spirit of these forgotten roads in photographs.

    After sharing some of these journeys with folks I have met I've been encouraged to document my travels.........I invite you to FOCUS ON THE BACKROADS!

    "To often......I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen"
    Louis L'Amour

FOCUS ON THE BACKROADS: THE CROSSROADS

012514 County Side-1CROSSROAD (noun) a place where two or more roads meet.
At the Crossroads – At a point of decision or a critical juncture. This phrase, based on the importance put on the intersection of two road since ancient times, has been used figuratively for a long time. First documented use of this phrase was in 600 B.C. by Greek poet Theognis’s Elegies “I stand at the crossroads”

Everyday of every week of every month of every year we come upon crossroads. At each of these moments a decision has to be made…..do I go straight ahead, turn left, turn right, go back, or just stay where I am at. Every road is a new adventure and opportunity. All these decisions make us who we are.

TO DEEP…..I like to drive into the country in search of crossroads
When I find the right one I decide which direction to go……in search of things to photograph. Sometimes the results are total failure and other the results are magic.

So when you reach the perfect crossroad look all four directions before you decide which to take. It is simple you can go straight ahead, turn left, turn right, go back, or just stay at the Crossroads Cafe and eat Chicken Fried Steak and PIE!

Don McClean (of American Pie fame) wrote in his song Crossroads

But there’s no need for turning back
‘Cause all roads lead to where I stand
And I believe I’ll walk them all
No matter what I may have planned

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Focus on the Backroads: MAGIC BUS: The Volkswagen Bus

The Volkswagen Bus is the Grandfather of the 80’s most popular “family” vehicle – The mini van.

Ben Pon drew the original sketches of the VW Van in 1947.  Pon owned the first Volkswagen dealership outside of Germany.  On March 8, 1959 the first production models left the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg, Germany.  It was a big box place on the Beetle chassis and called the Transporter.

In 1952 the first VW Bus was sold in the US and soon could be seen traveling the back roads of  America.  A few years later it became a part of the Hippie culture.  The Bus made it’s way across country to music festivals from Monterey, CA;  Newport, RI; Lewisville, TX; and Max Yasgur’s farm (Woodstock) in Bethel, NY.

The Volkswagen Bus became associated with Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead.  Deadheads would faithfully follow the band, many in their hand painted, shag carpeted VW Buses.  When Jerry Garcia died in 1995 Volkswagen ran an ad in a special additional of Rolling Stone magazine that has become one of the most famous printed ads ever.  It is a sketch of the bus with a tear coming down from one of it’s headlights.  The only copy is Jerry Garcia 1942 – 1995.

For over 60 years the VW Bus has captured the hearts and imagination of travelers through out the United States.   Many singing the following lyrics as they tour the Back roads of America  

Every day you’ll see my dust…as I drive my baby in my Magic Bus  –  Pete Townsend (The Who)                                                                                                                                                                                                               

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Focus on the Backroads: GHOST TOWNS


Ghost town noun:  a town that no longer has any people living in it:  an abandoned town

A ghost town is actually a site where evidence was left of a town’s previous existence.  This can be in the form of abandoned buildings, ruins of old buildings, or simply an old cemetery.  These are reminders of towns that once were inhabited by people full of life and dreams.

As people moved westward in search of adventure and a better life, they built farms, homes, stores, schools, and churches.  We have been told stories of the great western expansion.  Of the cowboys, the miners, and the famous lawmen and outlaws.  These folks have been depicted in books, on TV, and the big screen for years.  The real heroes of this time were the homesteaders that settled and built towns and communities.  Many of these have become our great cities of today while others are now abandoned and have become ghost towns

Most people speed by these towns missing out on a part of American history.  You can visit these long forgotten towns and wonder what they must have been like in their heyday.  Most of us are only a generation or two removed from ancestors that settled and raised their families in these towns.

There are over 800 ghost towns in Texas.  Some are a cross road or a long forgotten graveyard.  Others, such as Terlingua, Gruene, and Luckenbach have re-invented themselves thanks to antique shops, chili, and music!

You might wonder why someone would drive hundreds of miles to visit these long forgotten towns – well for the same reason that one would climb a mountain…because they are (were) there.

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YES VIRGINIA….THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS

0609Gav_3In 1897 eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon asked her father whether Santa Claus really existed. Philip O’Hanlon suggested she write the New York Sun – assuring her “if you see it in The Sun, it’s so” Virginia wrote Dear Editor: I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, If you see it in THE SUN it’s so. Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

On September 21, 1897 newsman Francis Church responded in a printed editorial titledIs There a Santa Claus assuring Virginia that yes there is a Santa Claus.

I too have often wondered; if there really was a Santa Claus and if so what did he do during all the rest of the year. When I was a kid it was confusing when Christmas morning my brothers and I would find gifts left by Santa supposedly build by his elves at the North Pole…..but they came in box that said Wammo or Milton Bradley. For years I would lay restlessly in my bed at night wondering if Santa was real or was he a FRAUD.

During a recent trip to the Dallas Farmer’s Market – I finally learned the truth! As I turned the corner to my surprise I was face to face with none other than old Saint Nick himself. When I spotted the wad of money in his hands I then realized why all my presents were not hand made by little men with pointed shoes – THEY RAN OUT OF TIME and Santa had to purchase additional presents at Montgomery Wards (pre-Toys-R-Us and Amazon). I also realized why every year Santa left us an orange in the bottom of our stocking every year – obviously there is a surplus of Florida Oranges at the North Pole!

So as Francis Church wrote to Virginia in his editorial some 116 years ago…Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! Everyone knows the tooth fairy is real! (might be a good subject for a future blog)

Actually I have seen Santa on a big old red Harley during my travels! See ya down the road Nick

Merry Christmas to all

Seeing isn’t believing. Believing is seeing Little Elf Judy (The Santa Clause 1994)

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Focus on the Backroads: Lost Maples State Park/Utopia TX

Utopia imaginary place considered to be perfect or ideal. Utopia does exist in the Texas Hill Country. Is it perfect, probably not….but it is a great destination if you are looking for the perfect get away.

Located 85 miles NW of San Antonio, Utopia was settled in the early 1850’s. By 1880 the population was 150 people, there were two gristmills, a cotton gin, a blacksmith shop, a store, and three churches. Current population is 227.

Lost Maples State Park is located about 10 miles west of Utopia. The 2,174 acres were acquired by the state of Texas in 1974 and the park opened in 1979. In 1980, it was designated a National Natural Landmark by the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service. The park contains 11 miles of hiking trails, campsites, and primitive camping. It is bordered by the Sabinal River and contains two small lakes and several ponds. Lost Maples is included on many of the top 10 list for spectacular fall color which peaks in November. There are a large number of Bigtooth Maple trees within the native Ash, Oak, and Basswoods.

Utopia may be ‘imaginary’ but you can experience a glimpse of Utopia hiking the trails of Lost Maples.

I would suggest contacting Fox Fire cabins in Vanderpool for lodging.

Other points of interest in the area:

Gardner State Park
Utopia Golf Course – was the setting of 2011 movie Seven Days in Utopia starring Robert Duvall
Utopia Musicfest – a two day music festival in October
Lonestar Motorcycle Museum – Vanderpool, Texas

A must is eating at THE LOST MAPLES CAFE in Utopia. Of course they are world famous for their pie!

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