The main thing wrong with society today is that too many dirt roads have been paved. There isn’t a problem in the world today that wouldn’t be remedied if we just had more dirt roads, because dirt roads give character.
People that live at the end of dirt roads learn early on that life is a bumpy ride. That it can jar you right down to your teeth sometimes, but it’s worth it, if at the end is home…a loving spouse, happy kids and pets.
We wouldn’t have near the trouble with our educational system if our kids got their exercise walking along a dirt road with other kids, from whom they learn how to get along.
There was less crime in our streets before they were paved. Criminals didn’t walk two dusty miles to rob or pillage if they knew they’d be welcomed by barking dogs and a double barrel shotgun. And there were no drive-by shootings. Our values were better when our roads were worse!
People did not worship their cars more than their kids, and motorists were much more courteous; they didn’t tailgate because they would choke on dust and get their windshield smashed out by flying rocks.
Dirt roads taught patience. Dirt roads were environmentally friendly. You didn’t hop in your car for a quart of milk, you walked to the barn for it. For your mail, you walked to the mail box.
What if it rained and the dirt road got washed out? That was the best part! Then you stayed home and had some family time, roasted marshmallows, popped popcorn, pony rode on Daddy’s shoulders and learned how to make prettier quilts than anybody.
At the end of dirt roads, you soon learned that bad words tasted like soap. Paved roads lead to stress and danger. Dirt roads more likely lead to a fishing creek or a swimming hole. At the end of a dirt road, the only time we locked our car was in August, because if we didn’t, some thoughtful neighbor would fill it with too much zucchini.
At the end of a dirt road, there was always extra springtime income from when city dudes got stuck; then you’d have to hitch up the tractor or a team of horses and pull them out. Usually you got a few dollars, or at the very least, you always got a new friend … at the end of a dirt road.
by Will Lewis
