rest. stop.

Highway Culture. Isolation, security, independence, the open road. Identity?
My analysis of interstate travel glorifies the state-maintained rest stop for exposing an area's identity better than any other rest area thick with neon logos looming over the road. Although the other exits may lead you to the next established place, there's no way to know you've traveled at all because any distinguishing features of this new location are hidden. However, if you can catch the sharp turn after REST STOP NEXT RIGHT, you might catch a glimpse of the area's natural vegetation, or maybe a hand painted map of the area in the restroom lobby. With luck you may even be near local walking trails and viewing points. These spaces are not apart of the local routine, they ask of nothing from the traveler but offer shelter and peace. A space between connecting roads where you want nothing more than to rest and stop. This is where you can truly see a place. Of course there are many interpretations, but not every rural town is captured by a Cracker Barrel.

and now to communicate this in a graphic...