The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-05-24
THE MAGIC OF THE ROAD

It is a great mistake to say that American life is mo-
notonous and prosaic. As a matter OF fact. IT Is one OF 'he
most wildly romantic and colorful things ever heard Oh
and the fact that the tin-can tourist will shortly De
abroad upon the highways ought to prove it to anyone.
Year by year, the custom Of mentioning by auto has
taken q firmer and firmer hold on the mass OF the popu-
laton. 1t is a far more significant custom than we ordi-
narly dream. Its effects on the national psychology the
national outlook, are profound and far-reaching.
About this time every year a restlessness steals over the
land. Staid and sober citizens tumble with maps. dream
day-dreams about distant roads. overhaul weather-beaten
camping outfits. speculate on the distance the family IL
nances can carry them. People who live within Mailing
distance of the Pacific talk OF trips to such places as
Chicago and Baltimore; fasteners consider the magic Of
sunset cities like Seattle and San Diego: inhabitants OF
the midland look both ways at once. and balance the
charms of the Shenandoah valley against the magic
emptiness Of the upland plains of Wyoming.
Presently this restlessness gets translated into action.
In every state thousands of autos-new ones and OLD ones,
costly ones and cheap ones-roll forth upon the high
ways. each carrying a family and its supplies on a rowing
trip through the open air. The tents OF this restless army
rise on a thousand camping sites; the dust kicked up BY
their wheels hangs over every highway from Florida to
Oregon.
The auto touring season, in other words. is upon us;
and we don't half begin to realize its Importance.
was there, ever, a spectacle like this before? Here is q
huge and prosperous nation, devoted to industry with a
passionate intensity. But every summer several millions
Of the most industrious drop what they are doing and
ride galy off . Thousand miles or 50 to see whether the
SIGHTS beyond the next mountain chain are fairer than
the sights at home.
The mierations Of Attila and Ghengs Kahn never saw
SO many people on the march. The rovings Of all the
gypsy bands OF Europe do not compare with It. The old
ties that used to bind men to their native valleys have
been broken forever: provncialism Is on its death-bed.
viii you find sectionalism in q man who lives In Massa-
chusetts but visits such faraway places as Montana. Ar
izona, Texas and Alabama every year? Never: the old
order has changed.
There are the makings. In this habit Of automobile
touring, OF . grander, more ~ennobling patriotism than we
have ever seen before. America ceases to be an abstrac-
ton to the tin-can tourist. It becomes something more
than = vague word. It has the spice Of the sage-brush
plains, the silent majesty Of the Great Smoky mountains,
the drowsy peace Of the New England hill country. the
hreath-taking splendor Of the Rockies. 1t is a magic word,
made illimitable by much wandering.
II you have an auto. toss an old tent. a blanket roll
and a few extra clothes into the back seat and start out.
If you haven't, get one and let yourself 60. Every road
on the continent is an enchanted road. Discovery lies
beyond every hill.