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One for the Road: Route 22

by Kelly Amabile (RSS feed) on Jun 20th 2007 at 11:41AM

Here's a new book that just screams road trip. Well, maybe it's more of a gentle awe-inspiring hush, but there's an obvious undercurrent of energy here that may soon motivate you to hit the highway. New York-based photographer Benjamin Swett has created a photo essay of Route 22, the 350-mile highway that connects Manhattan and Montreal. More about this unique travelogue and "Autobiography of a Road" from the Quantuck Lane Press:

While driving along this road one day, Swett was struck by the contrast between the landscape he could see through his car window and the more romantic one he remembered from his childhood. Without any particular plan, he set out to discover how the upstate New York of James Fenimore Cooper and Thomas Cole became this other place-a seemingly lost, untended region of Off-Track Betting Parlors and Tattoo Emporiums, abandoned diners, and ancient buildings crumbling into forgotten canals. The result of his exploration is this book-an insightful and deeply personal meditation on this complicated and beautiful landscape, accompanied by ninety evocative photographs.

Swett is the former director of the Parks in Print program at the New York City Parks Department, and has also produced Great Trees of New York City: A Guide in addition to several other books. Photos from Route 22 can be seen here.

Filed under: Books, One for the Road

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

phojo11 Jun 20th 2007 10:38PM

Thanks for the heads-up on this one. I grew up in Washington County, which a huge section of 22 cuts through. The area is a mix of dilapidation, Norman Rockwell, and beautiful country side. I never appreciated it much growing up, but definitely do now when I visit.

For anyone looking to do the road trip themselves, 22 cuts very close to Saratoga Springs which I can fully recommend for a stop. Anyways, thanks for pointing the book out; I'm ordering a copy up right now.

Kelly Amabile Jun 20th 2007 10:40PM

Thanks Joey, and yes -- good call on the Saratoga Springs suggestion. It is a GREAT NY state town with loads to do.

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