Thrown for a loop by an abrupt detour along a road not taken...
“On the road, as in life—I accelerate!”
I often preface my author bios for guest blog spots with this attitude platitude.
Although I’m an alert and careful driver, exercising diligence and vigilance on the road at all times, I don’t hesitate to accelerate when a red light turns green. In life, I’m a purpose-driven, multitasker who rarely veers off the beaten path.
Adhering to a reasonable timeframe in traveling from Point A to Point B on any given day without exception—barring commuter traffic, of course—I anticipated a smooth 5-minute transition on a typically laidback Saturday morning, motoring from Rte. 114 N to the East Shore Expressway which connects 195 W to 95 N and S. Instead, as soon as I hit the Expressway, I had to take an abrupt detour—one of many circuitous routes along Rhode Island’s interstates due to rampant construction to either relocate, repair, or rebuild our crumbling bridges.
Literally thrown for a loop, I was part of the auto procession rallying to get back to where we’d been, give or take several yards further north past the excavation site. Aware of precious time dwindling, while trying to mentally orient myself in unfamiliar surroundings as the line of traffic progressed at a snail’s pace, I grew more irritated with each passing moment. Until, my vehicle was parallel to a stretch of ocean on Beach Rd. (Bullocks Point) in Riverside, an integral part of my hometown I’ve not yet explored. The bright sunlight overlaid the waves in sapphire blue. The white sand appeared devoid of rocks, encouraging wayfarers to walk barefoot along the truncated shoreline.
I felt my heart swell with pride for Riverside, which most notably became a tourist attraction in the late 19th and early 20th centuries because of Crescent Park, known as the “Coney Island of the East.” All that remains is the Looff Carousel, built in 1895. You can still catch the brass rings and toss them into the clown''s mouth as you swirl around on intricately-carved wooden horses.
In retrospect, an annoying detour provided a welcome diversion to veer off the beaten path, encouraging me to explore hidden gems which are so often overlooked from riding the merry-go-round of life.
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