Over the last 29 years, since moving to Columbia, Missouri, we have made hundreds of trips to St. Louis and beyond. During that time, Warrenton, Missouri, was, from my perspective, nothing more than a congested exit along Interstate 70, its immediate roads lined with service stations, fast food joints and strip malls.
Then, yesterday, as we drove to Klondike Park in Augusta, we took the Warrenton Exit and headed south on Route 47. Within a few blocks, the congestion disappeared and the makings of a pleasant, small town unfolded. Another couple of miles took us across scenic, rolling farmlands and, ten miles later, we began to descend through the Missouri River Hills, quilted with cattle ranches, vineyards and wineries. My image of Warrenton had changed dramatically.
Too often, we assess cities and towns from our efficient network of Interstates, judging them as we zip by at 70 mph. Though these efficient highways often cross scenic landscapes as well, they do little justice to the appeal of human settlements and their associated natural environments. In my opinion, we should escape our Interstates whenever possible.
See also: Detour to Blue Highways
