ʤɜːɴɪːz: Last day in Ohio

Casting the sleeping bag from my head, I yawn violently and gaze upward. The added moisture from last night's rain has encouraged a whole host of gastropods to cover the top of my tent in their slimy excretions. One small multicolored slug is making its way down the side and has just about reached eye level with me. I briefly muse upon the thought of how this trip would be if I were like this creature, moving at such a laggard's pace, but I quickly dismiss the notion, thankful to be making much better time. Buddy discerns that I've come to and bellows a typical salutary 'good morning' grunt. As I break camp, he takes advantage of the dew laiden pasture, rolling around wildly in the clover and grass--any excuse is a good one for Bud to get wet.

Leaving Barnesville behind, we press on, up, over, and around the hills of eastern Ohio. In the afternoon we arrive at the town of Belmont, which, I'm told was originally named Writestown for its Irish founder Joseph Write. The name was changed around 1813 when the town began vying for county seat (the county name is Belmont). In the village's only general store, Mr Richard provides a good deal of interesting and historic information. Like many growing American towns of the 19th century, Belmont's reach seems only to have been exceeded by its grasp. It's a quaint place today but barely a shadow of its former glory. Through out this journey these echoes have served as examples of the impermanence of things, which, though held tightly, inevitably slip away with the passage of time.

It's 19:00 by the time we arrive on the east end of St Clairsville, and although I had had no original intention of staying at a motel, Mr Patel of the Econo Lodge makes such a wonderfully generous offer that Bud and I are inclined to make this our stopping point for the evening. Both the owner and staff show immense kindness, treating us to some delicious dinner. In fact, Buddy's usual Purina has (for the time being) been replaced by Solid Gold grain and gluten free dog food, a Tonkin of Mr Patel's affection for dogs. So our final day in Ohio ends on a hugely positive note with good food, comfortable accomodations and new friends.