During a vacation to California in our early years of marriage, my husband and I spent two days traveling from Los Angeles to San Francisco.  On the first day of our adventure, we chose to take the scenic route along the Pacific coastline.  While we enjoyed stunning views of the majestic ocean out of the left side of our car throughout the day, the scenery to our right shifted the further we traveled from Los Angeles, the quaint and quirky towns and attractions giving way to a more natural landscape.

During our drive, we encountered a few unexpected surprises, including several delays and detours resulting from rainstorm-induced mudslides.  After making it beyond one of these roadblocks, we decided to pull off at a shop conveniently located just off the road to stretch our legs.  Not knowing what to expect, the stop turned out to be a pleasant one, one we might not have otherwise made had we not experienced the travel delay.  Despite the obstacles we faced and although the drive took longer than originally planned, the journey along the scenic route was well worth it and that leg of the trip brings back fond memories to this day.

Upon waking to rainy skies the next morning, we opted to complete our trek to San Francisco further inland via the interstate highway.  I don’t remember many of the details of that day other than the monotony of interstate travel, of traffic and green road signs and exit ramps.  I do vaguely remember venturing off the highway along one of those exit ramps in search of a chain restaurant for lunch.  And, while I can’t quite recall where we stopped, I know I found comfort in knowing exactly what to expect when I ordered and receiving it relatively quickly.  While that leg of the journey might not have been as enjoyable or memorable as the first, the circumstances of the day deemed the highway to be the best route to take and got us where we needed to be in a safe and timely manner.

On life’s journey, we also have a choice between taking the highway or the scenic route.

The Highway

The highway offers the fastest, most direct way from point A to point B.  While it may be an expedient way to go, the speed of highway travel renders siteseeing difficult as the scenery passes by in a hazy blur.  As a result, time on the highway is mainly spent living on the surface, the goal being to simply make it from point A to point B.

The Scenic Route

While the scenic route of life’s journey may offer a less direct and slower path than the highway, it allows for travel at a more leisurely speed.  This affords the traveler a better opportunity see and appreciate the world that exists on either side of the road.  In addition, stops are more convenient along the scenic route, making it much easier to enjoy the experience of life beneath the surface while on this path.

Which Will You Choose?

On life’s journey, sometimes it makes sense to take the highway.  Due to our circumstances, there may be a need to get from point A to point B quickly and efficiently.  However, more often than not, we end up taking the highway simply out of habit.

Other times, we think we don’t have a choice.  But is that really the case?  For example, perhaps we think we don’t have the time necessary to take the scenic route.  Is it truly a matter of not having the time, or simply that we don’t want to go to the effort of making the time?

Or perhaps it is an issue of safety.  Embracing the comfort in knowing exactly what to expect on the highway may be preferable to risking the unknowns we might encounter along the scenic route.  Or maybe we just fear falling behind.

While the highway offers the most expedient path, sometimes taking the scenic route makes the trip more worthwhile and memorable despite the obstacles we might encounter along the way.  When given the choice between which route to take, I encourage you to thoughtfully consider taking the scenic route more often.