Rest Stop
Interesting stopping at a rest stop on our recent trip. Certainly glad they exist and that they are maintained, grateful actually to the people who maintain them, maybe there should be more. Just musing on what the rest stop say about us or their purpose. Whats there? Bathrooms, vending machines, tables, gazebos. I'm guessing they say to us that the most important thing is the journey and getting back on the road as quickly as possible. Just like a pit stop, maybe a quick lunch, a sidewalk to stretch your legs. A place for dogs to do their business and then back on the road. Maybe there are different types of rest stops, but these are the only types I have seen.
Is there more that should be there? A park? Is this reasonable? Some of those exercise stations like at parks? Grass? Walking paths? Generally I just see open areas of dirt with rocks and fences. With kids and with being cooped up for hours we are relegated to the sidewalks and if we want to venture out amongst rocks and dog poop we can let them run around. What if I want to stretch out, what if I want to get a little active to oppose the seated/stressed out driving position? Is there a place to watch the kids run around safely without running into freeway traffic or other dogs? Not really. So I can run around with them, let them climb the tress, do some jumping jacks, run in place, stretch out, play soccer with rocks we found. It's only for a short time after all, maybe place to sit and eat, but it's just more sitting which seems the opposite of what we need. Most places are not built for kids and families so I'm not sure what I'm expecting, but I do know that these are not places I hang out for a long time. The kids and us will accommodate to anything and try and make it work, pretty much the story of my recent life and the kids don't need much. They are happy to throw rocks.
I do like the regional info stations that tell me a little bit about the area or state and the trees it makes you pause for a second and acknowledge where you are. You can make anything work if you want to to get what you need, but it does say something about what we prioritize. Getting where you are going is the most important thing, that's not a bad thing at all, but is the way you get there significant in the long run?