To Ohio and Back: Day Two--Muralling Onward

After refueling our stomachs in Bucyrus, we headed eastward to Massillon. The drive was very picturesque as large rolling hills curved the landscape. It was that perfect time of day too--the hours before sunset. Light casted the forests in a warm gold.

We entered the city of 30,000 people just as light was fading. Unlike some other cities and towns, there was activity downtown. Bar. Theater. Pizza. We parked and walked to get a closer look at some murals.

Massillon is situated along the Ohio-Erie Canal and the first artwork celebrated this. The light was a little low and flat and cars in the parking lot obscured some of the scene, but the romanticism of the journey still showed.


Through the Arches: the Canal

A couple of blocks away, we spotted a tribute to gridiron heroes.


The Gridiron

Yes, Football

Football is an influence in this part of Ohio. The local high school has one of the best rivalries with nearby Canton (yes, that Canton...home to the Football Hall of Fame). Paul Brown, one of the forefathers of the NFL, hailed from Massillon. Other players call the city their birth place. Surprisingly, from another sport, Bob Knight of college basketball fame, was also born in Massillon.

We sat and had some refreshment at a local coffeehouse before hitting the road again. The night's destination was Steubenville. The sun had set and the two lane path was pleasant. But then, it grew winding. Right turn. Left turn. 25 max mph. I pushed the rental car through the twists and bends. Accelerate. Decelerate. The road became a long series of S's and then right angles. The moment focused on some ever changing asphalt in the dark countryside. Intense. Hills of Ohio. By the time, we reached our stay for the night, I was glad to be done with the driving.

A long day. A good day. More to come.