The Hi-Ways and the By-Ways

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A few thoughts about traveling by car before Interstates

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.

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