10/23/2003 10:08:00 PM|W|P|Jackson|W|P|With everyone talking death and heartbreak here lately, I thought I'd interject with a little devotional to what has become one of my favorite roads in Louisville: The Dixie Highway. Most folks who know it have a visceral reaction to it (likely hatred) and this is understandable. It's a busy road. The traffic is always bad. If you drive with your windows open you'll be bombarded by what can only be described as an unnatural volume level, and an unhealthy amount of car exhaust. The skyline, when heading away from town, is framed by two sets of smokestacks, constantly pumping-out billowy white discharge. No doubt the EPA knows what's coming out and is making sure it won't kill anyone quickly. But the psychological effect is enough. One glance at the towers and you're likely to cough involuntarily. Don't let my description thus far dissuade you. If you stop at a light, and you most certainly will (frequently), look up. Look at the hills and look at the sky. Look at the maze of wires running down and across the road. Notice the hundreds and hundreds of signs jutting out and up at odd angles. It's a mix of old and new Roadside America with millions of little details to pick out and examine. That being said, keep your eyes on the road while you're moving. Driving on The Dixie can be a pleasant experience if you stay attentive and aren't afraid to keep up with the quick flow of traffic. There's an understanding amongst the daily drivers: drive as fast as you can. You're going to be stopping every quarter mile or so, but it is very important that you get to that red light as quickly as possible. Do not brake leisurely and do not coast to that intersection. You must have one pedal to the floor at all times, be it gas or brake. Don't take this as sarcasm, because it most certainly isn't. I love Dixie Highway. I have an appropriate level of fear and respect for its power and beauty. Before I began working in Riverport I would only brave The Dixie a couple times a month to visit C's Records, one of the brightest stars on the strip. Even then I enjoyed the outings. But now that I travel its length at least once daily I have time to appreciate its subtle beauty. When I tell people where I work (and how I get there every day) the reaction ranges from empathy and pity to fear and misunderstanding. Rarely do people display what I feel is the proper reaction: envy.|W|P|106696129957327043|W|P|For the Love of The Dixie Highway|W|P|jacksoncooper@gmail.com10/09/2003 09:39:00 AM|W|P|Jackson|W|P|Because I don't care for anonymous commenters, and because I would like to keep the discussion on this site civil, I reserve the right to delete any comments and ban any commenter I see fit. If you insist on remaining anonymous, at least try and add something substantial to the debate. Otherwise, you may find yourself DELETED!|W|P|106570678572387826|W|P|A note on Anonymous Comments|W|P|jacksoncooper@gmail.com10/08/2003 09:06:00 AM|W|P|Jackson|W|P|You'll notice I added a link to the biographic information about the contributors over on the right hand side ----> Anyone else who contributes and wants their info over there should send it to me or post it in the comments below.|W|P|106561838409094730|W|P|about the contributors|W|P|jacksoncooper@gmail.com