Backroads

On By K.L. HaleIn Blog feed, memories, Uncategorized

It was Wednesday and I took a Sunday drive. The sun was sending its warmth through the windows. The wishful windshield seemed large enough to handle my daydreams; it was clear and clean. It wasn’t warm enough or my hand would’ve been hanging out the window. There was a corner where I pulled over and turned down my tunes. I just stared at the livestock and focused on the small rolling hills. Part of me knew where this road led; most of me didn’t care. It’s in the backroads, just like the woods, where I feel most at home. It’s a different feeling than standing atop a mountain, gazing at the Egyptian pyramids, or best, holding a newborn baby. But in this crazy topsy-turvy strangeness of the world around me, it felt like the joy of family and laughter, the hugs of those I love and miss, the best cup of coffee, the best road trip, and the overwhelming awe of my Creator. It was a backroads benediction.

K.L. Hale

Sunday drives of my childhood sometimes led to a Dairy Queen if we were lucky. Dad’s stories always made our backroad drives even more exciting. We’d see homesteads, family houses, cows (lots during those days), rolling hills, and listen to great music. As a teenager they were the best roads to learn to drive. I know what you’re thinking–I’m pretty sure we all did the same things on backroads (but I didn’t go to jail for it). My sons, and every teenager I knew, had some backroads to travel. There’s a happiness about taking a drive and finding something new to enjoy and see (especially if it involves a quaint coffeeshop at the base of any mountain).

A lot of my life has been filled with backroads. I have a determination for discovery and I get nourishment from nostalgia. Do the backroads of your mind ever seem congested or crowded? It helps to wipe the windshield and focus only on the places of peace. Use the rearview mirror to see that which is following TOO close and don’t dwell on where you’ve been. All the wrong turns, flat tires, and break-downs happen to everyone. I hope one day you can smile with the miles, the satisfying scenery, daring detours, and the curvy corners. I’m sorry if you feel you’re on the wrong road. We’ve all been there. Muster up your music, put some air in your tires, mark your map, and don’t refrain from refueling. The road you take is yours and yours alone. I’ll wave and smile when I see you. Even better, let’s meet for coffee down the road.

Have faith 💚

72 thoughts on “Backroads”

  2. Vicki

    Dear friend always just what i need when i truly need it. It’s like you can read my mind (which is truly scary!) This week has left me congested after reading this i am smiling 😊 and focusing on a more peaceful prospective! 😊💝💝☕

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    1. Thank you so much, Vicki. I’m so glad my words can help you. ❤️♥️🙏🏻The reason for my drive was out of frustration really. My heating and cooling mini splits froze over and I’ve had water heater issues and many other things that have popped up in the new house in 7 weeks. But it’s part of being a homeowner~yet all this was new. It will all work out (cha ching 💰) and I’m thankful for what I have. I have to stay in a place of grace. So I took out to buy gifts for Dad and decided my trip home would be a longer one. And these times of reflection (and doing things that seemed routine despite a pandemic) I can focus on what really matters. Love and hugs to you my friend. ❣️

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      1. Vicki

        Amazing sometimes how the simple act of taking a different road home can bring a sense of “calm” or at least a moment of pure delight in things we sometimes take for granted. A clearing of the mind. Hope your week has been better dear friend!😊

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    1. Thank you, Julie. I await our time for hiking and coffee~even if only virtual. I need to email and catch up. I’d love to hear about your school, book, your son,…praying for all of them. Love and hugs ❤️💚🙏🏻

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  6. Awe, I love this post, brings back such memories of family drives, my Dad’s dream of owning a farm one day (it sort of came true), with my sister and I giggling in the backseat. Glen is one of my all time favorites, I clicked on your song with a cup of warm coffee and just allowed myself a moment to be. Love you writing, all my best, C

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  9. Those cities and streets with their sameness must drive even the toughest human crazy. Or at least nudge that inner need for ‘change’.
    But the one thing about those back roads is…its natural…no two the same. And even if you did drive along it again there is so much different even the next day. Herds, birds, the rivers and creeks. And over even a little time the trees are taller, the grass greener, flowers blooming, seasons changing forever.
    God’s country is a magic all its own, and it shows itself each and every day. I thank the Lord I was raised in a tiny backwoods community of 8 houses and nature as far as the eye could see..and then some. You could walk in a straight line for days (if you didn’t get distracted), and never see another human being.
    Great post dear lady, may your nature keep you nutured 😀 ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋

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    2. Mark, what a beautiful childhood you had too. Your comment is a beautiful post in and of itself. God’s beauty is so vast and varied, and with less congestion out in the openness of nature, it’s even more enjoyed. Thank you for lovely share. ❣️🙏🏻🙂

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  10. Back roads benediction. I love that. I used to love leaving work on a Friday afternoon and driving the long way home. It sometimes took me several hours and I would be on roads I had never seen before. I love backroads.

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  11. Backroads have a charm all their own. I often travel backroads to geocache. The surprise is in having a road abruptly go from paved to gravel to dirt in a matter of a half mile. The summer driving with the windows down , hearing the cicada and catching a faint whiff of skunk on the evening air… certainly is entwined with my memories of home!

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    1. What a beautiful response 💜 many of us can relate to these feelings of backroads. I love it! And I love geocaching. There were places in AR geocaching and hiking where the dirt roads seemed to never end.

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  12. KL, I was with you, every moment, enjoying the Sunday drive. Enjoyable read! Going to Dairy Queen as a kid was a big deal. 😆 “Back roads” for me, as a child, were the cactus lined roads that led out of town to one of many lakes. 💗 Roads that are so crowded now. 😔 Thanks for the share.

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    1. Michele, I’m so glad you were riding along with me. Aren’t they such wonderful memories? I can picture the cactus-lined roads in my heads. I’d love to take backroads all across the great country. Thank you for reading and for your support. 💚

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      2. I’ll do some moving for you today Cindy! I started with my yoga and stretching and am at least standing as I write. But I need to pick up the pace a bit sometime today! You always motivate me!

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  15. Karla, my sweet husband of almost 48 and I love to ride the country roads. John Denver is our all time favorite singer/songwriter/musician! We saw him in concert at least 10 times, the last time was the year he passed away. Glen Campbell is also a favorite. A country drive demands great music! I always look forward to your posts!

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    1. Pam, I appreciate your thoughtful and kind words. Your posts are always so encouraging to me. It makes my heart smile that my words can be understood by others. I love how it connects us. I would have loved to see John Denver live. I remember his plane crash and have often thought of the tragedies that have taken such creative and talented people in such unexpected ways. But life is that way for us “ordinary” folks and legacies can be a positive one if we so choose. Blessings to you and your sweet husband. Thank you for reading! ❤

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  16. Kim

    Exploring the back roads was a favorite Sunday afternoon pastime when we moved from Illinois to Missouri. I still enjoy taking the long way home when time allows. There’s something about it that can “reset” and restore my senses, especially after a taxing week. And John Denver and Glenn Campbell will always be some of my favorites……….thank God we’re country girls! 😉

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    1. Good morning my friend. I awoke with you on my mind. I know how much Sundays and those drives mean to you. Thank you so much for sharing. Isn’t it wonderful how the music and drives “reset” and restore (I love those words you used). Yes, I love that we’re country girls! Love and hugs my friend. 💚❤

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  17. Your words are balm to my Spirit! “It helps to wipe the windshield and focus only on the places of peace,” is exactly what I have been doing these past many weeks turned into months. Thank you for affirming I have been doing the Work He has called me to address internally, so that externally I may share the new Peace I am claiming. Hugs dear friend! I look forward to chatting soon – but until then I’m humming along with you!

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    1. It’s so good to hear from you, Dawn. Thank you for such sweet words. How special to me, “your words are balm to my Spirit”💛 awww I have been working on that internal peace as well. And I’m so happy to hear you claiming it too. Thanks for humming along and your support always. Peace, love, and hugs ❤💚💛

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  18. Funny that we found each other…and that your post is about back country roads. I’ve also found back country roads to be my saving grace during these troubling times. So much so, I’ve got it scheduled as an upcoming blogging challenge. Hopefully, you’ll participate! 🙂 Thank you for the follow too! 🙂 Warm wishes to you —

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind comments. You’ll have to tell me more about the challenge. I’ve not participated in any of the blog challenges; although I see and read of them daily! Warm wishes and blessings to you. 💚

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      1. Well, I am new at this too but I can see how the challenges can become addicting…particularly if you are drawn to and moved by photographs, sites, etc. I don’t want to take up too much room in this comment, so you will find the particulars here: https://wrightingmylife.com/blogging-challenge-guidelines/ It’s pretty easy; you post a response on your site with a link back to mine either via pingback or in comments and include Changing Focus as a tag. Hope that helps! Happy blogging! 🙂

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    1. A “reassuring road”….thank you, Mark. What a neat way to describe it. I always appreciate the support. You and your wife and family (and precious 4 legged kids) stay safe and warm!

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    1. Aww. I’m so glad! Thank you so much! And in these last days my heart has shifted on that which I desire to publish. The words are there…now the wisdom and truth to guide them. Happy Valentine’s weekend! It means so much to me for you to take the time to read my blog. Peace and hugs. ☕️❣️

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  21. The way you weaved these words about the journey of life filled my soul with joy! You’re so right, we will all find ourselves on an unfamiliar road wondering how we got there sometimes. But there’s always a way to find the right direction with God as our navigator.

    Thank you for your beautiful writing in this post. ❤

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  22. Some of life’s best road trips wait minutes away as we experience backroads filled with nature’s simplicity. John Denver’s song encourages me to rediscover some of the backroads in my own life. Karla, thanks for sharing another uplifting post. God’s grace and peace continues to light the way, even on those backroads.

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  23. thesojourningwolf

    I used to go on drives all the time when I was younger. Before family and work lol!

    Sometimes it’s necessary! When it’s warm I like to go running. It’s like a slow ride through the country.

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