I don't know if you all have seen this before, but I certainly hadn't until today, and I think he's not too far off!

What's mainly wrong with society today is that too many Dirt Roads have been paved. There's not a problem in America today, crime, drugs, education, divorce, delinquency 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 a dog. We wouldn't have near the trouble with our educational system if our kids got their exercise walking 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 rape, if they knew they'd be welcomed by 5 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 more courteous, they didn't tailgate by riding the bumper or the guy in front would choke you with dust & bust your windshield with 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 your milk.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 and popped popcorn and 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.

Most paved roads lead to trouble, Dirt Roads more likely lead to a fishing creek or a swimming hole.At the end of a Dirt Road, the only time we even locked our car was in August, because if we didn't some 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 would get stuck, you'd have to hitch up a team and pull them out.Usually you got a dollar...always you got a new friend...at the end of a Dirt Road!~by Paul Harvey

-- Christine in OK (cljford@mmcable.com), February 21, 2002

Answers

Christine, I have never read this. I am glad you posted it. It is all so true.

-- george nh (rcoopwalpole@aol.com), February 21, 2002.

Dirt roads abound all over Texas, where there are whole counties with only one paved road. We loved it there--no speeders on quiet country roads.

Here in this part of Ontario, only the main roads are paved. A lot of homesteads and farms are out on the dirt roads, where I am trying to find a homestead for us.

I love dirt roads for there quietness and down-home country character. I drive them whenever I can, taking the long way 'round going to town. I especially enjoyed stopping by one homestead to let three goats cross the road. I took a look around and saw a very interesting and varied collection of poultry and water fowl wandering about at will.

I have noticed that farmsteads on dirt roads look nice enough, neat and tidy, but with weathered houses and barns. These are the places I could be comfortable living in. They speak of children with tire swings, bikes and other toys scattered about. The farms on the main roads appear to be much more refined and finished, like they have an image to keep up. Give me a nice, country homestead on a dirt road any day.

-- Cathy N. (homekeeper86@sympatico.ca), February 21, 2002.

Beautiful! I love living on a dirt road!!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 21, 2002.