Freeway Bound in South Carolina
If you must be on a freeway, make it forested. Stretching out on either side of Interstate 77, the road between Charlotte, South Carolina and the state capital at Columbia, is a piney woods. Almost no bill-boards, almost no signs of habitation for miles. Just green and rustling trees on either side, two strips of well-maintained gray asphalt, and a green lawn median.
If you must be on a freeway, make it flowery. I-77 is lined in spring with flowers. Gnarled wisteria vines twine through the long-leaf pines that line the road, bursting into garlands of purple blooms. In the understory are drifts of white dogwood. Every so often comes an accent of bright yellow – is it Scotch broom, or a Carolina native? At 70 mph I can’t quite make it out.
If you must be on a freeway, make it fast. I-77 heads almost due south from Charlotte to Columba, and once you clear the clutter surrounding Charlotte and its abysmal airport, it’s a very straight shot, with excellent signage directing us to our desired exit near the Capitol.
Allyson Johnson 