Driving Miss Daisy on Rural Roads

I recently pulled directions from Google for a trip to Kansas. When reviewing what I had printed, I quickly glanced over the directions to make sure they "made sense", then took a quick double-take. I was shocked that Google was sending me on "back roads" instead of traditional Interstate roadways. Nevertheless, I trusted that Google would get me to my destination, and was correct in my assumption.

What is shocking to me is the speed limits that are imposed on most rural highways! Posted limits range from 55-60mph. I would be more accepting of these limits if the roads themselves were relatively straight and wide; however, this isn't the case. Nearly all the "Routes" in ours and neighboring counties have extreme changes in topography (they can be very hilly), have many unpaved arterial streets with access at the crest of a hill, and are narrow with steep embankments on either side. Frequent travelers of these roadways travel at very high speeds and are inclined to tailgate those less familiar with the highways. I now understand why there are so many accidents and fatalities on our rural highways - a simple over-correction or blink of an eye can have devastating consequences.

I guess Google knew I would get to my destination faster sailing over the rural highways than I would cruising along the interstates.

Saint Slow

In a recent discussion with a non-St Joe resident, a particular observer told me that he had always called St Joseph "St Slow".  My initial reaction was to be offended.  But after about... oh 1 minute or so... I laughed.  Out loud.  St Slow. How funny!  I can see how an "outsider" would see "St Joeians" as slow.

We have speed limits that are absurdly low (and nevermind that almost every resident obeys them); ahem, Woodbine, anyone?  Has anyone seriously tried to drive northbound on Woodbine without braking?  Next to impossible.  And our police force is consistently staking out this road to snag any who dare to pass the 35 limit by any speed.  Cook Rd - east of the Belt.  25 MPH?  You've got to be kidding me.  I could go on and on, but you catch my drift.

Nearly every retail store or restaurant is guaranteed to provide slow service.  Not good or bad service... just SLOW.  1 hour minimum visit at Chili's guarantees I won't be taking my lunch there, and 30 minutes in line at Wal-Mart makes me want to buy "quickie" items elsewhere.

The whole mindset of our town is slow.  A great example is an advertisement by The Comfort Center.  They are advertising a fiberglass pool as "the pool of the future".  People, these pools have been around for years.  They aren't anything new, yet somehow, St Joe is just now catching on.  Some homebuilders are still using copper pipes to build new houses for crying out loud!

Technology is slow.  Does any business provide stellar internet service?  No.  Does every citizen have internet access?  No.  Does every business have a website?  No.  In fact, most of these "technological" advances that most of the progressive world takes for granted is too far-fetched for St Joe residents.

What is the solution?  I dunno.  Maybe the roots here go too deep.  The old adage that "this is how it's always been done" will always remain in this town.  Stuck in it's history.  Continually looking backwards instead of forward.  It sure explains most of the current problems our town faces, including the inability to attract businesses in both the mall and the industrial park on Riverside.  Maybe other outsiders see us simply as "St Slow".  Maybe our workers are too "slow" for new business.  We need to kick the label.  Let's start with raising the speed limits!