Vivid fall colors on the hillsides between Ouray and Silverton in San Juan County, Colorado. These sorts of scenes help give the road between those cities its "Million-Dollar Highway" nickname. Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, 2015 Sept. 26. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/highsm.34581

On the Road

November 22, 2022

Posted by: Kristi Finefield

Millions of Americans will hit the road this week to spend Thanksgiving with friends and family in other parts of the country. Some will be lucky enough to travel down byways and scenic routes to reach their destination. Others will have to be patient as they slog through heavy highway traffic with thousands of other cars, grateful to finally reach the turkey dinner and loved ones at the end of their journey. Whatever road you take, may it take you safely there and back this holiday week.

Enjoy some scenic views from roads and highways across the United States selected from the Carol M. Highsmith Archive:

A bright touch of autumn lines a U.S. Forest Service road high in the San Juan Mountains of Conejos County, Colorado, near the New Mexico border. Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, 2015 Sept. 30. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/highsm.35994

Sunset over the Soda Mountains and the Barstow Freeway (Interstate Highway 15) east of Baker, California. Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, 2012. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/highsm.23581

An October 2017 aerial view of the Maine Turnpike, carrying Interstate Highway 95, near Ogunquit. Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, 2017 Oct. 18. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/highsm.46581

Vivid fall colors on the hillsides between Ouray and Silverton in San Juan County, Colorado. These sorts of scenes help give the road between those cities its “Million-Dollar Highway” nickname. Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, 2015 Sept. 26. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/highsm.34581

Autumn scene near Millen in northern Georgia. Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, 2013 Nov. 21. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/highsm.43603

Scenic Seward Highway in the Chugach National Forest. Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, 2008 August 6. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/highsm.04975

Learn More:

Revisit Picture This blog posts about Thanksgiving over the years.
If you are very lucky, you might spot some of these wonderful pieces of roadside Americana captured by photographer John Margolies.
Enjoy past Picture This blog posts featuring the work of contemporary photographer Carol M. Highsmith.

Comments (2)

Amy says:
November 22, 2022 at 12:02 pm

Thanks! Our country is so lovely
hp says:
November 23, 2022 at 5:33 am

This is a FANTASTIC selection, Kristi! Thank you! 🙂

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