Right, right, walking boldly. The roads are a hideous black blight on a perfectly good landscape. What's wrong with dirt!!

"I suppose there's something to be said for a fresh start and adventure."

That's kind of what Ike was up to, wasn't it? Leaving for parts unknown where nobody knew how many people he'd saved. He sounds dubious but a little hopeful about this. He's had so much adventure... But this is, it seems, lower stakes adventure. A chance to prove himself without family connections.