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June 16, 2008
Athens, Ohio
My Mom took a road trip to Athens, Ohio and back. The purpose was ostensibly to arrange for the sale of some land my Dad had held on to, but it was also a chance for my Mom to reconnect with old friends and for me to see where I was born. I was 18 months old when we left for California, so I don't remember anything about it. I only have the stories I heard when growing up as a reference.
The trip was rather pleasant. It was good to spend some time with my Mom, solving the worlds problems while the country side passed by. I was impressed with the hills of Ohio and the lush greenery. For some reason I expected it to flat and boring like Illinois and Indiana. There were a lot of really cool old barns and farm houses, slowly being reclaimed by the wilderness.
The whole trip it seemed like we had luck on our side as after getting to a family friend's house with no trouble, we were able to locate places and people that we weren't sure how to find, and our timing always seemed to work out just right.
It was a strange place in some ways. The town is dominated by Ohio University, and it's very much a typical college town. Educated and intellectual. But just 15 minutes outside town, in the country, there are homes that are little more than shacks and I'd swear I could hear the music from Deliverance being played somewhere, and I saw the most horribly awesome Mullet EVER. I wish I could have gotten a picture of it. It was scary bad.
One of my Mom's friends told us Athens County is the poorest in Ohio, and I'd have to say that seemed likely. Some of the poverty I witnessed would have not been surprising if we had been in a third world country. The fact that we were just outside a midwest college town made it a bit shocking. Then you get into town and there are beautiful houses set into the hill sides.
We even managed to find the farm house that used to belong to my family. It has changed a bit (according to my Mom), but it's still there.
My camera got a good work out. I wish I could have taken more pictures, but we had a rather busy schedule. I did manage to get some good pictures nevertheless.
BTW, if anyone wants 10.6 acres of land 20 minutes outside of Athens, Ohio, let me know.
Posted by ed at June 16, 2008 12:36 PM