Roads

This past week’s Rewrite column in the Elko Daily Free Press included an item from 100 years ago (yes, I really like those centenary hark-backs). A rancher from Pleasant Valley apparently did most of his traveling in his beloved “gas-car.” It seems he made the news on February 25, 1915 in Elko because he had to hitch up his team to get to town due to the bad roads. Hard to tell whether that was a jibe at so-called gas-cars or merely an observation about the roads.

The majority of us take our infrastructure very much for granted. This includes a decent road system. We don’t have a clue as to the difficulties much of the world deals with as they travel.. I receive updates from various missionaries connected to different sending organizations, but almost all, at some time, mention the roads, or lack thereof, in the country where they are serving.

We Nevadans would consider traveling 50-70 miles by ambulance to get to a hospital as a real hardship (thank God for med-flights via helicopter). If any of my Midwestern/ East coast friends happen to read this post, a trip of more than 30-40 miles by ambulance is unthinkable for most of you.    

Yet I read a missionary update last week of a fellow in Thailand who traveled three days to get to a hospital closer to his home. (He had gone on vacation, was involved in a deadly car wreck and was, obviously, checked in to the nearest hospital).  What an uncomfortable ride he must have endured. I know from experience, an ambulance gurney is not a “bed” built for comfort! It would be interesting to know all the barriers the Thai ambulance driver encountered to make a three day trip like that.

Good  roads, roads with potholes, one-lane interstate during summer repairs, accessible jeep paths—whatever. I see myself taking so many every day conveniences for granted. I think we would be astounded if we took 30 minutes and thought about/listed all the things that make our lives easier here in the US. Obviously there is a flip side to the idea of “conveniences” but I don’t intend to explore that right now. At any rate, I’m grateful that I need never look at the prospect of a 3-day ambulance ride:)