Highway 160 is the main highway in this area. I believe it’s also one of the most dangerous roads in Alabama. There have been some horrible wrecks on 160.
On average, I’d guess a wreck every ten days or so occurs on 160.
The thing is, it’s pretty straight.
So, since it’s straight, people go 70 on it, and as soon as someone dares to pull out to get on 160, they plow into them.
I try to drive below the speed limit, but I’m a slow driver. I am. You’ve probably honked at me before.
I’m on 160 to go pick up Niece Number Two.
I left on time to be third in line—Right behind “Liz.”
I drive up on stand-still traffic.
I look waaaay down the road, and I can see “something” has turned over.
It looked like a diesel truck. I say a Prayer for whoever is involved.
I call Papa to ask if there is another way to get to the School. The only way I know to get there is on 160.
Mom answers and tells me to turn around and get on Highway 31 and go past “Top Hat” (A Great Restaurant) and turn right at the next road. It will take me over to 160 past the wreck, and I can get back on.
“You can still be third in line because everyone else is either stuck in traffic or doing what you’re doing and getting on 31, ‘Lynn.'” I thought to myself.
The quickest way to get to 31 is to jump on the interstate and go up one exit. I hop on the interstate. Then, I get on Highway 31.
The road is curvy in spots—straight as an arrow in others. I drive the speed limit.
I follow 31 past “Top Hat BBQ” and look for the right-hand turn coming up. I turn right.
It’s a nice drive through the country.
It would make for a good Sunday Drive.
I could start on 31, drive this route to 160 and take 160 back home. It would be a good little Sunday drive.
At one part, there is something beautiful—a one-lane tunnel. I love it.
I do as you’re supposed to do in such a tunnel and blow my horn.
It goes under one set of train tracks, so the tunnel is very short. You can see the other side. I’d say it’s 20 yards in length.
I exit the tunnel and continue my drive through the country.
It’s about seven miles to get back over to 160.
I pass a Fire Station and notice that the emergency vehicles are sitting in the parking lot, and the EMTs and firefighters are in the parking lot as though they just got back from a call. I realize they just got back from the wreck.
“Dang it. I bet 160 is opened back up,” I say aloud.
I come up on 160 and turn to go to the School.
I arrive at the School and get in “the line.”
I wasn’t third in line but wasn’t far from it. I was 7th.
“Not a bad drive,” I thought to myself. “It was nice.”
I might even take that route again. Maybe for a Sunday drive.
