My first cross-country drive was in a Saab with a CD-changer—so you know that was a long time ago (back in 1993, as it happens). I had a very useful US driving atlas, and I would write down good public radio stations on the maps of different states, along with BBQ spots and outdoor stores. So when I was in Vermont I could remind myself where to tune in and where to pull over. Before each trip I would invest in a book to listen to (The Great Gatsby came on four CDs) and this was a big decision because you were basically stuck with that.
These days it’s all much easier. Google Maps, of course, and the luxury of endless podcasts. There are no atlases in my car (other than Wisconsin and Montana Gazetteers for fishing access) and I can’t remember the last time I used the radio. It’s easy to research diners, breweries, vintage stores, farm markets and antique barns. If you’re not into your audiobook then you choose a different one.
I still love a day or two on the road. Emilie calls me Long Distance Dave, curiously she doesn’t like being in a car for twelve hours. Once we drove from Montana to Minnesota and somewhere in North Dakota reached an agreement that this would be the last time.
I thought of all this because I just took a new drive, from Baldwin, Michigan across a swath of Canada and through Western New York to the Catskills. I’m not going to tell you how to manage your own drive (I did write some road trip rules way back when this newsletter began and about how far I can actually drive before losing my mind.) But I’m curious why still enjoy these trips three decades later.
All Things Considered: The inside of ye olde Volvo.