Welcome to Drive the Backroads
A new chapter of The Empty Nester’s Travels—where the slow roads lead to big stories.

After a year of some solo adventures, this new path comes with a twist: a co-pilot; well actually more of a pilot and I have turned into navigator. I’ve teamed up with fellow traveler and photographer to explore the roads less traveled—not just for the scenic views, but for the quirky roadside stops, forgotten landmarks, and tall tales waiting to be uncovered along the way.

Drive the Backroads is a passion project born from our shared love of storytelling, curiosity, and connection. It’s where rusted gas pumps, hidden waterfalls, and abandoned treasures become the backdrop to unforgettable memories. We’re trading fast lanes for winding roads and sharing every misadventure, snapshot, and serendipitous find along the way.

We can count on a drive always taking at least double the time of what the GPS “avoid highways” estimate even tells us. We can’t even stick to that plan. We sometimes leave to run grab dinner and come home at 3:00 a.m. because we become entranced with where the roads lead and what we find along the way.

We may stop for a photo and end up staying to chat with a local for hours, learning about the history of the town, his/her family, or local projects going on. We have heard some pretty interesting stories and met some pretty interesting people along the way. Some of the things we see and learn are better than what you can see on T.V. I continually say, “You can’t make this stuff up”.

So buckle up. Whether you’re here for the travel tips, the photo inspiration, or the folklore we stumble upon, there’s always room for one more on this backroad journey.

Let’s take the long way—together.

Check out the new Drive the Backroads Blog!!

**If you are interested in telling your backroad story, reach out to us here. We would love to collaborate!**