I estimated based on my memory of reading about the construction process at rest areas here in ND. Via Wikipedia now, it looks like I was about right. Construction of the very first segments started in 1956. Various milestones were accomplished throughout the 70s and 80s, and not even official "completion" until the 1992, though I'm sure that was just a few segments here and there for the last 5-10 years.
In terms of having a substantial system of highways in place out that transformed traveling lifestyles for an age group of children, the general "growing up in the 80s" still seems about right.
Route 66 wasnt even fully paved for the first decade of its existence, and was never an interstate. I dont think anyone here thinks travel by car was invented in the 1970s.
I think people are just not very aware of the past including their grandfathers generation these days.
My grandfather was a college lecturer and would plan massive road trips each summer in the 60s to all the national parks. These days I doubt a college lecturer could take summer off
> I think people are just not very aware of the past including their grandfathers generation these days.
It feels surreal to have to even state this, but "being American" does not require that one's grandparents grew up in America. Being a first or second generation immigrant does not make one less "American"
Errr soooo yeah the context is how today’s American family outings compares to American family outings of decades past…
So you’re right the wording was bad, i wasn’t the one that said “not Americans” but I think that person was confused why so many are making flat out incorrect comments like they don’t know anything about America.
My comments was trying to say, “no even multigenerational Americans often don’t know what their grandparents generation was like.”
In this context of comparing American vacations across time periods, the group you’re talking about, Recent immigrants, I would hope aren’t commenting because very few would have researched the topic of American vacations from 1920 to 1980.
Not American but I know that car reliability has improved to the point where motels and roadhouses have largely faded away from the highways as people are able to travel further more reliability.
In terms of having a substantial system of highways in place out that transformed traveling lifestyles for an age group of children, the general "growing up in the 80s" still seems about right.