by Michael Vaughan

The real America can't be seen from the window of your car on the crowded Interstate. You have to get off onto the backroads to see what's really happening.

You won't find any small town festivals on the Interstate nor any of the delightful characters that frequent their colorful diners.

"Life is a Highway" is a series featuring the work of Michael Vaughan. Michael takes you 'Travel Journal' style off-the-beaten-path onto the less traveled roads, sometimes rutted dirt roads where even angels fear to tread.

But it's worth the trip ... you see some sights and hear some sounds and are introduced to some truly amazing people.

So ...

... much like Lightning McQueen (played by Owen Wilson) in the animated movie "Cars," you too are going to get the chance to slow down and enjoy life.

But first, you have to get off the busy Interstate, put the brakes on, down-shift and cruise the backroads. And while you're at it, you might just discover something you've been missing out on ... life.

The "Life is a Highway" series will take you along both famous backroads like Route 66 and almost unrecognizable farm roads leading out into the middle of nowhere.

You'll get to see interesting places from Kansas to California. You'll discover cool places to eat like the Bagdad Cafe on Route 66 (between Barstow and Needles in California on the edge of the Mojave Desert) where movie stars frequently visit and amazing places to shop like the quaint shops in downtown Augusta and Towanda, Kansas.

You'll learn about the giant arrows in Colorado at the Mud Creek Trading Post, see some abandoned towns, discover some really amazing places to eat like the Longhorn Grill and meet lots of people with incredible talents tucked away on the backroads of America.

To begin the adventure, click here.