In my younger days when the moon was full, I used turn off the headlights and drive the silver road. Naturally, I did this on quiet country roads where there wasn’t much traffic, and I drove slowly. I loved the silver glow of the road and how it was like driving in a dream world. I might still be doing it now except for the fact that most cars in Canada have daytime running lights–it is impossible to turn off the headlights completely.
I also enjoy the silver road in my photographs. These photos are usually taken in the winter when the road is wet, and the sun is shining directly over the road. It looks like a river of silver light and reminds me of a line from My Favorite Things – “silver white winters that melt into spring.”
My motivation for writing this post comes from Sarah Harmer song I have stuck in my head–Silver Road. It’s from the movie Men with Brooms (2002) and features accompaniment by The Tragically Hip.
“I’ll be way down a silver road I’ll go
Where the moon has it lit up
Turn off your headlights and go slowly
I don’t want it to let up”
I have been a fan of her music since her 1999 album You Were Here but until a few weeks ago had not heard the song, or seen the video (I hardly ever watch them.) Seeing her perform at Stanfest in 2009 was one of my all time concert highlights. I think this beautiful melodic song really matches the mood of driving at night with the headlights off, and hope my photos do, too.
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