Monday, July 27, 2009



Both will get you from point A to B. Which do you prefer...the security of getting to your destination on the rails or the freedom of taking a side road now and then...but possibly veering off your course in the process.

There is no right or wrong choice...your decision depends on so many things...how you were raised, your tolerance of risk, your sense of adventure, your need to know what the future holds.....

Whichever road you are on, I hope it provides you with a balance of both. If you choose the rails...enjoy the stops along the way...if you choose the open road...when you veer off course remember to get back to the main highway without much delay. There are exciting lives to be lived by traveling down either path.

The main decision to be made is the decision to begin. Once begun...life begins.

27 comments:

Heather said...

You know, I LOVE this type of view!!! Both of these are outstanding, in my book, Dan!

I've never been on a moving train...even though we live in a railroad town. I've always been driver, back roads mostly. I'm not a lover of the city.

You ought to see our roads in VT, talk about windy, up hill-down hill, mountaineous territory, very bumpy.

I really do like these shots, the way you've presented them...great post for me today :)

Monica Manning said...

Good advice for the Road of Life. It doesn't matter the route we take, provided we learn something along the way. I especially like your 'admonition' to everyone, regardless of their choice: If you take the easy/train route, then be sure to enjoy the scenery and stops along the way. If you choose the challenging/open road route, then be sure to come back when you stray off the path.

It's the message from our Maker that I think we should all take away. Take the path you want, but be sure to come back ... I'll be here waiting for you.

Anonymous said...

awesome perspectives...and great advice!

Dan Felstead said...

Heather....thanks for the comments. I have two goals to meet...one is to get to New England...never been and the other is to get back to Europe. I am hoping to fulfill both goals. I think I would fall in love iwth the New England way of life!


Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Monica...perfect addition to my narrative...thanks for completing my thoughts!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks Jen...Both shots were about perspective...both literally and figuratively!

Dan

jennifer black said...

Nice metaphor, Dan.

My heart belongs to the railroad, but I always seem to travel by car or plane. I never thought of trains as a forced method of staying on the straight and narrow, though (there's many a small, forgotten town with a train station). They just take so much time! Maybe that's the lesson for me: Slow down.

One of these days...

Dan Felstead said...

Jennifer...
I love trains as well. Such history connected with them. It is a shame that our system of track have been allowed to deteriorate so much. Some see that as progress...I don't!

Dan

Unknown said...

These photos could have been taken in my hometown of Harrodsburg! We are surrounded by train tracks and waiting on a train is a daily occurance. Nice job!

Monica Manning said...

BTW ... love the new profile pic!

Dan Felstead said...

Bobbi...Evansville is still a small enough town that we have to wait on trains as well...we don't have to many overpasses so when the lights are red...we wait!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Monica..
Thanks for the comment on the profile pic...I like to change it ever so often...I get bored with the same old picture all the time!

Dan

DawnTreader said...

Another inspiring post! Brings back a lot of mixed memories for me... As a child of a railway-fanatic father, I got used to both views in my childhood. We spent most of our holidays driving down obscure sideroads in the middle of nowhere to track down the remains of long-since-closed-down railways and stations! I never took over the interest. (Neither did my brother.) But when I see a picture like this, I can also smell it, and feel the heat.

Dan Felstead said...

Dawn Treader...it is interesting that you have both experiences! Combining the road with the tracks. I am glad it help rekindle a memory.

Dan

Mrs. N said...

I like the perspective in both your photos and your prose. There's something about looking into the horrizion, be it via the rails or the open road, that is inspiring. Thanks for that inspiration. :)

As for the answer to your question, I think I'll have to go with the open road. There is just so much to see and do, and so many of the most amazing adventures are the ones not accessible by rail. I will admidt, I find comfort on the rails sometimes, but I feel like I miss out on too much if I stay on them exclusively.

Thanks again for the thoughts and images. :)

Dan Felstead said...

Miss H...in response to ....your response.....the "rails" route is more comfortable but the "road" is more exciting!

Dan

septembermom said...

I'm looking forward to traveling many new and interesting roads in a few years. Europe tops my list. Great perspective on these photos, Dan.

Dan Felstead said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dan Felstead said...

Septembermom...when you go to Europe does your family need someone to carry their bags...I would be a great porter! Actually I am trying to get back to Europe myself...the best memories of my life.

Dan

Field of View said...

Simply Fantastic !

Anonymous said...

Both shots are stunning of course. The rails are my favorite or the two photos. I love risk and adventure and I want to be in charge of where I'm going so there's no question which mode of transportaion I would choose. Thank you for consistently presently excellent work.

JaviZ said...

Love these two shots, Dan! And they come with a great text! Thanks for sharing them with us!

BTW: if I have to choose, i chose the train.

Unknown said...

Great perspectiove in both shots. I prefer the first shot to look at but would rather be in the second shot. I think I would miss too much traveling on the straight and narrow path of the train. Plus I would change my mind several times before I got to my destination and couldn't just step off the train to wander :)

Dan Felstead said...

Field of View...thank you for the comment, I appreciate it.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Tricia...thanks for your comment. Like anything else...I think the more risk at stake..the greater the reward. It just depends on whether you have the gamblers' itch or not!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Javiz...I like the train as well...here in the states, train travel is quite a novelty nowadays. I am guessing that in South America, it is much more common???

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Faye...thanks for stopping by and welcome to the blog! It sounds like you are the more adventurous type...not tied down by the rails. It is more exciting to be able to take that side road...even if it leads nowhere...you are able to find out and adjust your path.

Dan