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Pavement Ends
James Baughn

A 1920 roadtrip on the Bloomfield Road

Posted Monday, January 18, 2010, at 3:23 PM

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  • It's so strange to read this! Not only because of the writing style, but to think that there was a time when a car ride from Jackson to Dexter--even one eventful enough to contain a few flat tires--was enough to make the news!

    -- Posted by MusicMaker on Mon, Jan 18, 2010, at 4:41 PM
  • Great story! I am very familiar with the Rum Branch to Advance leg of the trip. There are places along the ridge that a car could have bogged down in the sand if it was really dry.

    -- Posted by Old John on Mon, Jan 18, 2010, at 5:54 PM
  • Is there a map of this trip? Is this particular route still drivable? I would enjoy taking this trip with my 16 year old new driver, then letting her read the story of 90 yrs ago.

    It looks as if James took at least some of the trip, please give more details.

    -- Posted by John in Jackson on Tue, Jan 19, 2010, at 8:25 AM
  • Yes, I drove the whole road to Bloomfield over the weekend. I'm working on a blog and map right now.

    -- Posted by James Baughn on Tue, Jan 19, 2010, at 9:40 AM
  • Well, I've never had a "henryford", like the one spoken of in this story, but my first car as a "green" 16-year old driver(a "modern" '60 Chevy) was ALMOST as much of a challenge!

    Don't get me wrong! I enjoy paved-roads as much as anyone else. But, BOY have we been spoiled! The definition of a driver/chauffeur have REALLY been modified over the years, that's for sure!

    LOVED this one! Kinda like a condensed book-of-the-day! And, with pictures, to-boot!

    Waitin' for the next-one.....!

    -- Posted by donknome-2 on Tue, Jan 19, 2010, at 10:22 AM
  • Thank you James.

    -- Posted by John in Jackson on Wed, Jan 20, 2010, at 6:49 AM
  • Another blog I should have found earlier!! I have now signed up for your magic instant notification of when you post new blogs, James!

    I continue to be in awe of your ability to gather the research from a variety of sources - and then write it up in a lively fashion.

    I, too, much enjoyed the antique writing style and the sense of humor in this piece!

    Thanks, James!

    -- Posted by goat lady on Mon, Jan 25, 2010, at 2:24 PM