We left Atlanta in December of 2003 to move to our now family farm on a dirt road (on purpose). Often we are asked, “Why in the world did you move to live on a dirt road?” My immediate thoughts to respond are, “Why not live on a dirt road?”

Truthfully, I have always wanted to live on a dirt road. It could be the concept of adventure down a less traveled path, my rebellious nature against modern life’s intrusion on every blade of grass, or perhaps it’s my living outside the lines full blaze. It is, in reality, all of these and more.

To ride along on a dirt road offers different rules; it is a must that you drive with the windows down and at a much, much slower speed. Otherwise, you will definitely miss something. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve stopped the car to move turtles out of the road, or to rustle a few wildflowers to cultivate around our house or to just stop and gaze across a vast pasture. The air smells sweeter along a dirt road and I've yet to have a horn honked at me while driving on the dirt road. There are days that pass two and three in a row that we never even see another car on our dirt road.

My dirt road is my beach, my quiet path, my thinking journey on an early, cool morning. It represents withdrawal from trend and the ability to retreat to seclusion, to be seduced by nature and the privilege to be captured in awe by our Creator while living surrounded by His incredible creation.  To discover evidence of those who first roamed this land, to uncover the history of this once cultivated area, to be blessed with opportunity to work this soil for it to bear fruit and to steward the surrounding habitat to ensure its wildlife will endure are among the many reasons we chose the dirt road.

Yes, I enjoy many modern conveniences and I enjoy mingling with the masses on occasion. But I can not wait to feel the tires of my vehicle leave the asphalt pavement and meet the earthened path that leads the way home.

Harriette K. Jacobs

Copyright 2005

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