Great signs everywhere!
July 21, 2007Mt Gilead, OH to Lantz Corners, PA
270.0 Miles
Beautiful Day!
Beautiful Day!
What a gorgeous day to be on the road – bright blue sky, white puff clouds, brilliant green landscape, lots of little squiggly roads – neat!!
Spotted a sign on the way out of town – Mt. Gilead, Home of Warren Harding, 29th President of the United States. I so enjoy how each town must find any excuse for fame – not putting down being home to a future president, but as you’ve read here, some claims to fame are not so prestigious! 
Heard on the news this morning that the largest civil war reenactment was being held this weekend someplace close by – these reenactments are a really big deal – not just in the area of the actual battles, but nationwide. I knew a fellow in Green Valley, AZ who traveled all over the country to participate in the reenactments. Summer is a popular time, and when I checked the official calendar just now, there is something going on in more than one state every weekend for weeks on end!
I understand that coyotes are being reintroduced to the area – apparently the deer have been proliferating and procreating happily, which is quite apparent from the signs of roadkill. Hunters can’t begin keep up. Hope the coyotes don’t take the easier targets instead!
As pretty a day as it was, it’s rather depressing sometimes to drive through middle America – many small towns are dying, town central has many empty store fronts – lots of homes for sale, often long empty. Happily, some little towns are striving to retain their heritage, but many have obviously simply given up. Family businesses can’t compete anymore – we see it everywhere. Steel production has moved away from this area, American cars are built overseas, jobs are gone – people move on. Young people leave home as soon as possible – the elderly have nothing, and just wait to die. Progress – YUCK.
Enough of that on this lovely day. I really do appreciate those little towns that clean up the old buildings and try to find another way to survive!
At least I have lucked into gas at under $3.00 – not much under, but every penny counts with a 75 gallon tank!
Spotted a couple more oil birds in backyards near Akron – both appear long dead though, all rusty and weed covered!
Rather like the highways in this area – which are gawd-awful! Teeth rattling and bone breaking! Well, not quite that bad, but they shook stuff off shelves that has never fallen before!
Plenty interesting signs though –
I understand that coyotes are being reintroduced to the area – apparently the deer have been proliferating and procreating happily, which is quite apparent from the signs of roadkill. Hunters can’t begin keep up. Hope the coyotes don’t take the easier targets instead!
As pretty a day as it was, it’s rather depressing sometimes to drive through middle America – many small towns are dying, town central has many empty store fronts – lots of homes for sale, often long empty. Happily, some little towns are striving to retain their heritage, but many have obviously simply given up. Family businesses can’t compete anymore – we see it everywhere. Steel production has moved away from this area, American cars are built overseas, jobs are gone – people move on. Young people leave home as soon as possible – the elderly have nothing, and just wait to die. Progress – YUCK.
Enough of that on this lovely day. I really do appreciate those little towns that clean up the old buildings and try to find another way to survive!
At least I have lucked into gas at under $3.00 – not much under, but every penny counts with a 75 gallon tank!
Spotted a couple more oil birds in backyards near Akron – both appear long dead though, all rusty and weed covered!
Rather like the highways in this area – which are gawd-awful! Teeth rattling and bone breaking! Well, not quite that bad, but they shook stuff off shelves that has never fallen before!
Plenty interesting signs though –
‘Hey Leadfoot – your speed kills!’
and ‘Buckle Up for Next Million Miles’
Then there is ‘Unce’s Tavern – Good Food and Lousy Parking!’
Or ‘Protect Your Forest – Pack Hot Dogs, Not Firewood’. Say what?
Several folks in the back country market cemetery head stones from their front yards – some very attractive. In two places, there were life size stone motorcycles cut as headstones! “Proud to ride, Proud to die” – huh??
Ended the day at an interesting little park near Lantz Corners in Pennsylvania after many miles thru the gorgeous green Allegheny National Forest. The place was an unofficial home to hundreds of rabbits, that had the run of the land. All colors, with no fear of people at all. Was not conducive to walking barefoot in the grass though! Penny was enthralled!
Several folks in the back country market cemetery head stones from their front yards – some very attractive. In two places, there were life size stone motorcycles cut as headstones! “Proud to ride, Proud to die” – huh??
Ended the day at an interesting little park near Lantz Corners in Pennsylvania after many miles thru the gorgeous green Allegheny National Forest. The place was an unofficial home to hundreds of rabbits, that had the run of the land. All colors, with no fear of people at all. Was not conducive to walking barefoot in the grass though! Penny was enthralled! As was the charming wiggle-giggle smiling Golden 
staying in the next space. Mandy was one of the friendliest, happiest doggies I’ve met in a long time – she liked people more than the rabbits!
staying in the next space. Mandy was one of the friendliest, happiest doggies I’ve met in a long time – she liked people more than the rabbits!
They were having a Christmas in July contest – the folks across from me were there for just the weekend, but had brought out all the lights!
posted by GallivantingGayle @ 6:08 PM
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