The Hi-Ways and the By-Ways

The Hi-ways and the By-ways By Franklin Price 6/5/2016 The hi-ways and the bi-ways long before the Super-way, Driving 'round the country different, here are memories of the day The roads were mostly two lane, speeds were fast at fifty-five. Had to watch out for the tractors to get there breathing and alive. No white lines on the edges. No reflectors on the lines. Speed traps in the small towns; directly paid the cops the fines Watched for ads of Burma Shave. The signs all in a row With quirky little sayings; looked for ones we didn't know. Stopped to eat at truck stops; the best food was there you know. Pro drivers always ate there. Where else should travelers go? Could stay the night in teepees or a small white Alamo Many themed motels along the way; creative places we could go Had to drive through every town; that's why the roads were made Here's what I saw there in them before the memories of them fade The highway was the main street; sometimes the railroad by its side Small stores were there for shopping. Restaurant food was country fried Always was a barber shop and a small department store A hardware place with everything you could ever want and more A church or two that closed the shops were there on holy ground All attended in their very best when Sunday rolled around A station there to get some gas, someone to top the tanks, Check the oil, wash the windows and at the end to give you thanks To fill up cost a buck or two to get us on our way Always got change for a five; that's how it was back in the day.