Back to Appalachia

It was soothing to turn east onto Ohio state route 725 and leave the sprawl and big boxes behind. It is a nice road cutting through an edge of Centerville, Ohio and coasting down into the Little Miami River valley. I glanced up to see a red tail hawk all puffed out surveying a large field next to the river. Soon a large cloud of blackbirds shifted back and forth over the road. The road wound through farm country with large exurban houses peeking out here and there. It took me to US 42 on which I headed north toward US 35 around Zenia. Both 42 and 35 were smooth wide roads with restful scenery. US 35 is one of the roads to travel if you want to get the high end EPA rating on your car's window sicker. It has very little roll and driving is effortless. Large farms border US 35 for miles as it heads around Washington Court House toward Chillicothe.

The next day I was able to take state route 32 back into Appalachia. The rolling hills were a welcome site. On both days the sky was an even grey but seemed appropriate for the time of year. The bare trees and earthy tones had a winter solstice look. Daylight seemed to drain away early. It was good to arrive home and be snug on a cold night.