Highways and Byways

As we departed from Orangeburg, South Carolina on our recent trip to Florida, we decided to leave the interstate highways in favor of traveling on Route 301. I suspect the fact that 301 goes directly through Folkston, Georgia, one of the premier train viewing platforms in the country, might have had an influence on Jed’s decision to take the road less travelled. Folkston is also a gateway to the Okefenokee Swamp, one of the largest wetlands in the country, and home to primordial wildlife.

Route 301 was a more relaxing drive than the interstate, as it wound its way through small towns, but the large number of abandoned buildings was alarming. Some structures were just run down, but others had collapsed entirely, with trees growing up through their roofs. Motels, restaurants, and roadside stands were all out of business. For one long stretch, a fireworks store was the sole roadside-stand still open for business. For two hours, we did not see a single fast-food establishment. Not until we reached Claxton, Georgia, famous for its fruitcake, was there a McDonald’s sighting.

It struck me that the difference between interstate highways such as I-26, and byways like Route 301, provides us with an interesting contrast about the way Pilgrim Church can approach its future. On the interstate highways we speed along, missing many important things, with the destination our only goal. By contrast, Route 301, marked by decaying buildings, nutty fruitcakes, fireworks, and a huge swamp, seems as if time has passed it by.  As I considered the choices, neither the speed of the interstate highways where the destination is seemingly the only important thing, nor the rot and decay of the byway where many have been left behind, appeals to me. Pilgrim Church will have to find its own path as it moves into the future, encountering the many challenges it faces. We should not move so quickly that we overlook steps and people along the way, nor should we get left behind, mired in the past. We will have to find a middle way, doing our best to avoid extremes.

Sally Watters

Deacon