Coast to Coast with a Rapsody of Road Tunes!

 

So, what is a road song?  We asked Google AI... "The primary purpose of a 'road song' is to express the emotions and experiences associated with traveling, such as freedom, escape, or a search for a better life, and to tell stories about the journey itself."  We agree! And for us, road songs are also rhythmic mementos of our nomading life and a treasured collection of fun.  

We've been crisscrossing the US for four years now and one of our travel traditions is to add to our growing play list of road tunes... songs that represent by name or description the many areas we have visited. That growing iPod list is our frequent companion as we drive (yes, we admit it, we sing in the car a lot - badly, but loudly & proudly!). 

This month, we finally made it up to Bangor Maine - significant to us because one of the earliest and most beloved songs we added to our playlist is the classic tune "King of the Road:"  "Third boxcar, midnight train Destination Bangor, Maine."  There's something about reaching Bangor that has fascinated us for years... maybe because of it's remoteness - after all, you don't get there by accident!

Then there's Johnny Cash's talent with his quick stepped tune "I've been Everywhere" in which Bangor is one of the 92 cities referenced (we're tickled to be able to say that we've been to dozens on that list)!

And let's not forget the bonus...we got to meet the legendary lumberjack Paul Bunyan in Bangor as well! 

And as we're on the subject of music... picked up some musical trivia when we visited the Cole Land Transportation Museum while in Bangor (had a lot of fun in that town!).  For example, Jer got to play on an actual REO Speed Wagon - the 1915 truck that later became the inspiration for the band by the same moniker! 

So often, music personifies the mood and culture of an area - in our case, we continue to have the joy of collecting the tunes that remind us of our varied and beautiful country. One of our top faves; "This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land" sung by Peter, Paul, & Mary. Every time it comes on, we sing even louder (granted often off key)!

“Never underestimate the therapeutic power of driving and listening to very loud music.” 

— Unknown