The Old Highway & Reconstruction…
Originally published at ~+>Blue's Journal. Please leave any comments there.
This entry is going to be a little different…
A little story…
Back in the mid 1920s to early 1930s many US states began constructing paved roads for automobiles which so many were driving around, back then people where driving cars on paths made for horses so many times ruts were worn into the trails where automobile tires had driven through. These roads went through many small towns and many business lines these roads to cater to people as they would drive through, this is were tourist traps came from, big elaborate unusual landmarks to divert peoples attention and make a stop. Eventually these roads became known as the US Highway System. A good example is Route 66 which used to run from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, LA; US-90 for those of you in LA is another example.
In the early 1950s a new system of highways came into existence thanks to President Eisenhower, The Interstate Highway system. These roads allowed people to travel from place to place with no interruption. High speed travel, a new beginning. Many major cities saw these mass transportation byways and then by the 1970s and 1980s the whole country was connected. These new roadways embodied American’s love with their automobiles which over many decades transformed a nation. Many of these new roads were built on on clearer paths far from of US Highways that were build years before, but a few still parallel original alignments that what were laid out.
Many people protested as US Highways were replaced with Interstates as links to towns and cities. Many lawsuits took place and many delays before interstates could be finished. Afterwards, many cities that became dependent on people stopping either had to be creative and get customers or risk losing business and income. The replacement with US 66 with several new interstates was fought for almost 2 decades. The route was decommissioned officially, however, those who wish to hold true to the original highway that was paved in the 1930s still can find much of the roadway still intact, many segments and cities along the original route under renovation to signify the importance that this roadway provided to many in its time.
Putting Things Together & Realization
Lately I have been dealing with things that i haven’t quite understood. So many of the things that i had grown accustom to have been thrown into a state of uncertainty. After taking so long to develop many long standing, well worn roads in my life, many of them are at a point where they may be replaced. Some of these new paths are because the old road has just become so worn and out of date replacement isn’t in the best intreast of myself or to what i want to do in life. Others simply need some fine tweaking and a little re pavement to steady the course. A few are just fine and need a little re-marking just to make things easier to see.
My problem, which i didn’t think about until now, is that i have been so caught up in the “what ifs” i have allowed my mind to wonder to so many extremes. If things are meant to be they will. I also have to accept the possibility my opportunities may never be there again. Through the last week, i have spent much time thinking and come to the point where i have to deal with myself and see that such a chance i had may never happen again. It hurts, so deeply to even think it i don’t want to acknowledge its existence, however, is apart of dealing with the reality of the situation
This is why i have been so troubled: I for once have had to step back to think about all the things involved, realize that the world doesn’t rely just on me, but everyone i choose to include even if they are not physically present, that the actions i perform, even those i think to be insignificant, can play a pivotal role in the outcome of events, and being forth-rite of what is going on is worth saying, even when it feels painful or frightening and most importantly when it averts from causing pain to anyone else.
I haven’t had to face this type of life even with such a major person who contributes so much to who i have become. I am looking forward to starting on the drawing boards once again when the time comes, and to not allow the mistakes i so recklessly partook in to ever repeat themselves. I can only think to myself in anticipation that my partner in this project feels the same way and takes to heart how sincere i am.
More about the events in my life later… I’m off to sleep….
~+>Blue