Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #158 – Along Back Country Roads

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I am honored to be guest hosting this week’s Lens-Artists photo challenge. As I pondered what topic to choose for the challenge I thought about how many of us are happy to be able to travel again. For this challenge I am asking you to show us your images that show your interpretation of going along a back country road. It can be a road where you walk, go for a bike ride, take a scenic drive, go off-roading in a jeep or four wheeler, or a road you take to get somewhere.

To me, a back country road can be any road that’s off the beaten track. The road can be paved, gravel or dirt. It can be one that takes you through farmland, desert, forests, quaint small towns, or in the middle of nowhere. It may even be one with quirky roadside attractions or funny signs you see along the way.

When we go on a road trip we enjoy getting off the main highways for a more scenic drive. Recently, we have even started avoiding interstate highways altogether. The header photo at the top of the page was taken on the Dalton Highway north of Fairbanks, Alaska.

Have you ever driven by a dirt road and wondered where it went? That’s just what we did one time when taking a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. We couldn’t resist turning on the road in the first image below. I don’t remember where we ended up but the beautiful stream shown in the second image ran beside the road.

Sometimes the only way to get where we want to go is on a dirt or gravel road. These next three images are examples of some we have taken in our adventures.

The Great River Road in Arkansas follows the Mississippi River
Top of the World Highway in Yukon Territory, Canada
A steep dirt and gravel road to Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park in North Carolina

On a recent trip to Orlando, we traveled over 1,000 miles without driving on an interstate or major highway. It was heaven not dealing with semis or drivers passing us like it was the Daytona 500.

The roads were paved, two lane roads with little traffic. There were some fun things to see as we drove along.

Bison farm near Darien, Georgia
Woodbine Fire Museum and Antique Shop on Highway 17 in Woodbine, Georgia
Businesses just outside the Ocala National Forest, Florida
I wondered where this road went in the Ocala National Forest
Lunch was delicious at this popular local restaurant in Salt Springs, Florida

I’m honored to be one of the guest hosts for the month of July while Tina, Ann-Christine, Patti and Amy took the month off.

In your post, please include a link to my original post and use the Lens-Artists tag so everyone can find your post in the WordPress reader. Be sure to check out the first three guest hosted challenges.

John Steiner of Journeys with JohnBo – On the Water

Anne Sandler of Slow Shutter Speed – Black and White

Bert and Rusha Sams of Oh the Places we see – Getting Away

Next week on July 31, please visit Ana Campo of Anvica’s Gallery for her challenge – “Postcards.”

I’m looking forward to seeing where your back country roads have taken you!

158 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #158 – Along Back Country Roads”

  4. Great photos! I love to take the road less traveled. I remember when we were younger, we did that all the time in our truck and camper. When we started using trailers, that stopped somewhat. I’m going to have fun looking back at my country road photo outings.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Anne, thank you. We liked to get our camper set up and take off in the truck to explore. It was hard to choose just a few images. I’m looking forward to see your back road adventures!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. “Country roads, take me home
    To the place I belong”
    From the John Denver song.
    Great topic for the week. The photo from the Ocala National Forest brought that song to mind.
    Thanks for a great topic this week.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Thanks John! That song kept going through my head as I worked on the post. I have family in West Virginia and have been on many of those mountain roads but sadly don’t have any photos of them.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. I love all your beautiful backroads, Beth! Love the opening shot of the moose walking down the street! I’m linking to your post for tomorrow’s Sunday Stills with a couple of backroads shots. Thanks for hosting Lens-Artists this week!

    Liked by 2 people

  8. Great sequence of photos. The ones from Blue Ridge Parkway and Smoky Mountains grabbed my attention as we will be there in September. It is one place in the US I can say we haven’t explored. We will indeed go down some dirt roads after seeing your photos.

    The moose in the road was my favorite. That must have been fun to come across that.

    Cant decide if the dead peoples sign is comical or curious. Maybe both. Thanks for hosting. Well done. Donna

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Donna, many thanks! I hope you enjoy your trip to the Smokies and Blue Ridge Parkway. Fall is a beautiful time to be there. We saw a few moose and other wildlife crossing Alaskan roads. That sign sure gets your attention.

      Liked by 1 person

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  10. Hi Beth

    Your photos are all so very inviting – they drew me in and I swear I could smell the trees and dirt and feel the spray from the falling water, not to mention the gamey scent of your Bison. Those are all hallmarks of great photography – it transports the viewer into the scene.. And I loved your humorous ones, too. Like bear crossing and dead people’s things for sale. (They really put that on a sign next to Antiques Depression?? You can’t make this stucf up.) Great challenge and post!

    Here’s my encounter from a walk on a road near my home:

    https://babsjeheron.wordpress.com/2021/07/24/mindfulness-and-the-great-blue-herons/

    Best, Babsje

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Thanks Judy! When you go to SC do you travel on I-95 most of the way? It’s a nightmare to drive on it north or south of Savannah! That’s why we went on back roads to Orlando. I agree. Sometimes you have no choice in order to get where you want to go.

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. Of course you are allowed to have more than one post for the challenge! Thanks so much for this one. What at an amazing day you had witnessing the nest building!

      Like

      1. Thanks so much for letting me post again. I’m still chuckling at your signs in front of that antique store. Your topic for this week is wonderful. Best, Babsje

        Liked by 1 person

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  29. Great idea for a theme – I love getting off the main roads and taking things at a slower pace, especially when we road trip in the US. I love your winding roads and the roadside sign and buildings in some of your shots. The route north through the Yukon to Alaska is on my wish list for the future!

    I have some scenic byways from New Mexico as my contribution this week: https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/our-land-of-enchantment-the-scenic-byways-of-new-mexico/

    Liked by 1 person

  30. What a great choice for your challenge! And your back road selections are fabulous. Especially the waterfalls!
    Sending you well wishes for a wonderful week ahead!

    Liked by 2 people

  31. Loved your challenge choice Beth, and all of your fun wanderings off the beaten path! Had to laugh out loud at the dead people’s things sign! And have seen many a beautiful waterfall off the beaten path in NC which is not far from us. Thanks so much for hosting this week – looking forward to lots of interesting responses.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tina, that dead people’s things sign made me laugh when I saw it and had to get a picture! It was my pleasure to host the challenge. I am really enjoying seeing all of the responses.

      Like

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