by Phil Rowe
Article appeared in JUN 1995 issue of "RV Times" magazine
Some people measure their progress down the highway in miles, others in tanks of gasoline. But, my method is far sweeter. I measure distances in terms of coffee shops and hot cinnamon buns.
Traveling from one small town to another on the back roads is a whole lot more interesting than grinding off the miles on the Interstates. Oh, don't get me wrong. I think the Interstates are great, if your main objective is to get from A to B in the fastest, easiest and smoothest way. But, it sure ain't the most interesting way, nor is it the way to discover Americana.
If you have the time and the inclination to tour the country at a more leisurely pace, I recommend the back roads. Lots of the U.S. and many state highways are excellent thoroughfares. They may not be divided, four-lane expressways, but they are safe, smooth and interesting.
Taking routes that pass right through the small towns along the way means getting closer to the people, their little cafes and coffee shops. My travel day just isn't complete unless I've stopped along the way to sample hot-from-the-oven cinnamon rolls which so many small cafes offer.
Interesting chatter of townsfolk, especially the older generations gathered at the cafes, lets you know right away what's of interest to the America not covered much by the press. You'll hear of talk about the high school football game last Saturday afternoon, or the re-surfacing of a farm-to-market road, or the opening of a town recreational center. These are the things closest to folks in small towns.
Sip your coffee and enjoy wonderful pastries while getting an earful about town, state and regional issues. People aren't bashful about expressing themselves. They'll speak right up if they think politicians have lost touch with what really matters.
Did you hear? Tom Anderson's got a new pickup truck, a nifty red one, with a stereo too."
And Lottie Smith is expecting. Next February, they tell me. Goodness, it's been just a year since she graduated from high school.
Yes sir, I saw Grady's boy, Tim, last Saturday. He ran that ball right past them fellas from Greenwood, like the whole backfield wasn't even there. Boy, can that kid run.
No, by damned, it isn't right. It's a waste of money to widen route 16. Only one that uses it is Rex Hurd, for his hay wagons. If he wants it wider, I say let him pay for it.
Yep, I heard that Sam and Louise Shepherd are headed for Arizona. They sold the place and bought one of those RV's, a fifth wheeler. Sam told me he was going to join the Snowbirds, or some other group. He said he was tired of shoveling snow and paying for fuel oil. Aren't we all.
If you get to a small town before 10 in the morning, quite often you'll time your arrival to coincide with another fresh batch of baked goods coming out of the oven. I can almost sense, or smell, the right moment coming as I slow down at the town line.
Places like Ennis or Roundup, Montana and Lamar, Colorado, have little cafes not to be missed. Look for the gathering of rancher's pickup trucks by the front door. That'll tell you it's time for great cinnamon buns and hot coffee.
I could give you a list as long as your arm of terrific small town cafes and restaurants that put out fresh hot baked goods with a friendly smile. But you'll have more fun discovering your own.
Those of you driving across Canada on route #1 will be delighted to discover many gas stations feature small cafes too. They're often very clean, delightful, serve fine meals, and frequently tempt you with cinnamon buns you cannot say no to. Don't miss those Tim Horton's coffee and donuts shops up there. Mmmmm - Good.
Just remember, take the back roads. Slow down and enjoy the scenery. And keep your window rolled down so that you get that first whiff of freshly baked rolls. But keep it a secret. Don't let on that I told you.
Another form of travel combined with the sampling of cinnamon buns is worth mentioning. Lots of private pilots enjoy short cross country flights to favorite airport coffee shops. Some pilots organize special weekend fly-ins to regional airports known to cater to hungry flyers. Dozens of light planes may descend upon a small town airfield, just in time to catch a whiff of fresh cinnamon buns coming out of the oven.
In the midwest, say within150 miles of Kokomo, Indiana, there are dozens of fine little airports. Some have small cafes serving great breakfasts and hot cinnamon buns. West Lafayette was one of my favorites.
There used to be an airport near Valparaiso that had the added attraction of displaying hundreds of used planes. Few pilots could resist strolling among the consignment sale planes, many carrying their hot coffee in one hand and a tasty baked goodie in the other.