Route 6

Sometimes there is history right under your nose and you don't realize it...Route 6 was one of these recent discoveries. On my way North out of Bishop on the way to Big Trees Nursery in Chalfant, about 12 miles, I pass this sign,"Provincetown, MA 3205 Miles . I have passed this sign for years and it always brings to mind the many summers spent driving up Route 6 through Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts on family summer vacations. I'll never forget my Dad cursing the engineers who built the highway, especially through Rhode Island and it got to the point that he would rather drive 100 miles out of his way just to bypass the road as it went through Providence! I remember going in circles on Route 6 in Providence and announcing from the back seat that I believed we already passed this or that which just added to the stress my father was already under! Rhode Island is notorious for its signage problems.

Every year we went to Cape Cod on vacation. We'd stay at a hotel in Hyannis and then drive up and down the Cape going to different towns and beaches every day. Eventually we would drive all the way up to Provincetown for the day. I remember the sand dunes, the wide beaches, collecting grasses and shells, lobster and clam chowder. They were great days.

What I never knew was that Route 6 is the longest U.S. Transcontinental Highway. It is also known as the "Grand Army of the Republic Highway," and passes through 14 states. The first part of the highway was built in 1925 and extended from Provincetown, MA to Brewster, NY. Then they extended it to Erie, PA and by 1931 it went to Greeley, CO. In 1937 it passed through Bishop, CA and came to an end in Longbeach. In 1965 the Longbeach to Bishop segment was decommissioned.

To get a state by state look at Highway 6 go to a great site, "Route 6:The Longest Transcontinental Highway." They have alot of pictures and history. http://www.augustana.edu/.

Over the course of my life I have traveled on both ends of this grand highway. It makes me feel rather philosophical...am I at a crossroads in my life now? What is around the next bend? The past and present; what's up ahead and what is now behind and out of sight. Our family has always had a bit of the wanderlust so I guess it is just in my blood. As they say it is not about the destination but rather the journey.

Signs of Spring

Glorious Daffodils! Is there any other symbol of Spring that is as beautiful and happy than a daffodil? Their little trumpets raised towards the sun announcing that warmer weather and longer days are not so far away. The daffodils in the picture welcomed you to the Antique Hotel store in Big Pine, CA on highway 395. I found a sweet Ross Originals pottery vase of a bird perched on top of a branch. Just large enough for a bloom or two and the perfect find on a Spring themed jaunt.

The Sierra Nevada mountains are all covered in white but the lower foothills all have a tint of green. Tufts of grass are coming up by the side of the road. We decided to get out of town and headed south early. The Eastern California Museum in Independence is just setting up for the Inyo County Pioneering Women:Faces Through History, exhibit. It officially starts at the museum on March 27th and goes through September 6th. These amazing, strong women helped to carve out a life for themselves and their families in the Sierra. There will be lectures and exhibits celebrating women throughout the Sierra from Ridgecrest to Lee Vining, Mammoth Lakes to Shoshone (a place I admit I have yet to visit). The stories and lives of these women are inspirational. The program is being organized by the Eastern Sierra Cultural Heritage Alliance. Bravo!

We love exploring as most of you know and that is part of our "Blooming Where You are Planted" philosophy. Get out there and learn about the history of the place you call home. See who came before and blazed the path. Spring symbolizes new beginnings and hope, creating and newness!

See your environment through new eyes no matter how long you have lived there. Look for signs of Life!