While working on my ride, I discovered several wonderful facts about the history of US 83. Most of them I read in Stew Magnuson's books. On the inside of his books he has a postcard, showing the route. This post card was probably printed in the early 30's, and is really neat to look at. The drawing, and colors typical of the time. Made before editing tools and spell check, Each version was different. In fact,, Bismarck on this card is misspelled. It got me to thinking about other postcards, and how they were made, and really just how important they were. My wife was trying her best to understand my excitement over two pieces of 60 year old cardboard. I did my best to explain that these were the only way to prove where you were back in the day. You bought a card, wrote a quick note on the back to send to friends. They were inexpensive, and quick to mail. It allowed your friends to enjoy your vacation via your "postings" But this was personal, saved to the valued few in your life. What a treat for grandma and grandpa to get a post card from you on your vacation trip across the country! What a great day it was when you got a post card from your best friend with a picture of the grand canyon on it. You felt the comfort in knowing that your friend had not forgotten you, and they had taken the time to write because they missed you as much you missed them. And when they returned, you could pull the cards out, and visit for hours about the trip with them, hearing the stories first hand and hoping you could go there someday.
These cards were the Facebook of their time. we do the same thing but now we just have a friends list (usually comprised of 200+ names), and we share darn near everything, from dinner to dogs, to yes....... even upcoming trips. (Busted) We see a story and we share it with the push of a button. From talking cats, to car wrecks, and even now we share (or force) our political and religious views. I doubt if the Postcard will ever make a comeback, and it is sad. even though we would get the cards in the mail, it allowed us to use or imagination. We were left to wonder what the place really looked like. What was the food like at that diner? Were those real Indians? It forced us to pull out a reference book at the library and explore the words and text, it help us dream of the day we could go there. It made you look at maps, and maybe even mark places on there as you went or got the postcards from someone. You had to think in logical terms, using math, and geography. Now we pull out a phone ask "Siri" where the Sioux trading post is and within seconds you are looking at photos, video, reviews and you can decide to go or not to go. Traveling is a lost art. The excitement of reading signs along the way, convincing you that they have the best peanut log or the best prices on "real" authentic moccasins. Stopping at any of these places could mean a huge win or a major bust. But that is what the adventure is all about! It is a gamble, a challenge to make that card come to life by going there. Not by watching a video. Facebook and You Tube have their place and it is too bad folks as a rule are happy just to watch and go from there. Let the media rich world inspire you and to make you want to explore. Find an adventure even if it is a day long. And send me a post card, I would love to hear from you. I would be excited to see where you've been!
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