Blue Highways

William Least Heat Moon wrote a travel book in 1982 entitled Blue Highways. It chronicles his journey around America as he drove on two lane roads which, in the old Rand-McNally road atlas, were blue. He often stopped at small town cafes and wrote about the conversations with the people he met. It's an enjoyable read and provides insight in to small town America nearly 30 years ago.

From the Mississippi to the west coast the interstate system is primarily east/west. Because of the zig-zagging in our travels, we've had many opportunities to travel on two lane highways on this trip. We've enjoyed the solitude and scenery of the countryside.

Wednesday we had our own "blue highways" experience in Canby, CA, a town of just over 300 people on highway 299 in the north east corner of California. Needing a break we stopped in at the Canby Hotel, Restaurant, and Saloon. They could have added pool hall, because it had that too; all separate areas in a small, very old building. The place had many antique lamps and pictures, the "lobby" of the hotel was overstuffed chairs that you got to by walking through the saloon. The waitress and cook were nice, older ladies who cooked a great hamburger.

We talked about the Canby Hotel, Restaurant and Saloon the rest of the day.