Studley and I escaped for a few days and drove to the resort town of McCall, Idaho. While driving on the narrow, winding mountain road, we anticipated summer traffic and took our place in line behind campers, a tour bus, logging trucks, and pickup trucks pulling recreational vehicles and/or boats and commercial rafts. We were among the crowds wanting to get away from the crowds.
We didn’t have cell phone service during the two-hour drive, so I couldn’t check email messages or log on the Internet. As a result of such a dire situation, we had no choice but to slow down and enjoy the scenery. Here is what we were forced to observe:
Two whitetail deer stood beside the road and calmly watched as we drove past. The road followed the Payette River as it changed from whitewater rapids tumbling through a steep canyon to a wide pool in a mountain meadow. Eagles, osprey, and huge hawks circled overhead in a pristine blue sky and we drove through towering timber that fringed a forest covering thousands of acres of rugged wilderness. That’s what we had to endure.
After an hour we passed a cabin in a meadow outside of Cascade. I once lived in McCall so I’ve been driving this road regularly for 40 years and have watched as this pioneer structure slowly deteriorated. I took a photo and was pleased that the quick shot captured the sagging cabin and the mirror on our vehicle. The photo portrays images of life from the past and of those going forward.
We agreed that life in the slow lane is necessary to refocus our direction. The hectic pace of daily living can rob us of the free splendor available just beyond the window. With a slower pace, maybe I can become more patient with the slow motorhome in front of us if I imagine all the fun the family can have in the mountains. Maybe I will appreciate the truck driver who uses his skill to move the logs down the steep mountain pass. Maybe I can survive without Internet service for a few hours. Maybe.
I can relate to the vision of the old cabin. My back hurts from loading the car, my legs ache after sitting for a few hours, and I’m tired. At least my eyes work – with prescription lenses – so I can see beyond the slow obstacles in the road, look through the dusty windows, and notice what’s real. Life in the slow lane is the fastest way to escape and breathe the fresh mountain air. In this measured pace, I find peace on the journey.
Don’t you love the enforced slow? I drive on the frontage road before I get on the freeway, for the same reason…to re-enter the day slowly. I’ve been thinking about writing about it too…but you beat me to it. Love it.
Thanks Elaine for writing about the simple joys in life. I too rest and enjoy the ride, so much to see. I love how you think of the fun the family will have in the mountains as their motorhome moves slowly down the rode. Reminds me to think things through when frustrated. I ‘ve kept my eye on that same cabin for years. Nice picture. I often wonder if those walls could talk and the stories they could share. I’m heading up to McCall next week for a three day get away with my very fun mother. I will look at the scenery and traffic with inspiration and enjoy the ride.
OMG, I did the simple addition wrong and lost my whole comment! Get rid of Captcha! Get Akismet, it works well! Anyway, I wrote a bit about my wanting to drive the flyover states for a change and really see them….and thanked you for the inspiration to stop and think, and then added wrong. Honestly. LOL
Sorry, Carol, about the Captcha issue. I just figured out how to do it – now I’ll research Akismet. Thanks!
Love that photo! Great post and a perfect reminder to slow down. I was just in London and had very spotty internet, and realized what a gift that actually was. So important to just be present.
Hi Elaine! Yes isn’t it funny how we tend to forget the many, many benefits of slowing down and enjoying the moment. I have to constantly remind myself of it and write about it all the time on my own site…but when I do I am almost always rewarded by the journey! Thanks AGAIN for the reminder! ~Kathy
This is a fabulous reminder to slow down and enjoy the trip. And the sagging back of what once was while looking forward to the future. A beautiful ride this life. And a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing.
I need a little “life in the slow lane”. Thanks for reminding me!
It irks me how much time I spend online. Forced unconnection is a true blessing. I know I need to spend more time cruising in the slow lane.
I usually get frustrated when the mirror ends up in a photo. I will never feel that way again, I love the going forward and leaving behind description.
I will be remembering your words as I drive the slow lane with five grandkids all the way to Florida.
I always look forward to reading your posts, Elaine. “We drove through towering timber that fringed a forest” That phrase pleased me so much that it stayed with me through the rest of the blog. It is absolutely scrumptious!