Week 4: Boredom, crappy road signs, and 'the center of Pennsylvania' (May 6, 2001)

BIG NEWS! The walking Fool reached Ohio on Satruday May 5th.! That makes 2 whole states that he was walked across, which is 1 more than he thought he would actually walk across a few weeks ago.

He was in Clearfield a week ago, and from there he marched through Luthersburg, Reynoldsville, Dubois, Clarion, and Emlenton. Even though it is clear on a map that Clearfield is about three quarters of the way across PA, the owner of the motel that he stayed at insisted that Clearfield is "the CENTER OF PENNSYLVANIA." There was no arguing with her.

BOREDOM ON HE ROAD Somewhere in PA (Mark can't quite remember where) he broke down and bought himself a walkman, because he was getting really bored. Unfortunately he is now discovering firsthand that the music industry is really phasing out the "cassette" format. So far his sonic resources include "some classical music tape", a 70s mix tape, an 80s mix tape, Play by Moby, and the new Vitamin C tape. (The webmaster will be sending Mark some more tapes in a few weeks.)

THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS Mark pulled a really long walk (25 miles in a day) in order to make it to Grove City, where he figured he could relax in a bar and catch the Knicks game that was on that night. Unfortunately upon arrival in Grove City, he discovered that it's a dry town. He then walked 5 more miles to London, PA, on the outskirts of Grove City, where he collapsed at the Elephant & Castle theme restaurant. He had barely started an incredibly refreshing tall glass of Bass, when he was informed that some guy down the bar was buying it for him, since he looked like he could use it. After another beer paid for by another bar patron, Mark received his meal on the house from the manager, who also tried to get him a free room at a nearby motel (to no avail.) Even though the Knicks lost, it was a fine, fine evening. A day or two later, he was eating breakfast in a small diner, and a nice old lady put 5 dollars down to pay for his meal as she was leaving. He's pretty sure she realized he wasn't a bum, although he is looking a bit scruffy lately.

ROAD HALLUCINATIONS OR JUST BAD SIGNAGE? Mark would like to have a word with the folks who make some of the mileage signs around Dubois, PA. As he was approaching town, the first sign said DUBOIS 6 MILES. After a couple more miles, he passed a sign stating DUBOIS 6 MILES. Then after another mile, a sign warned him DUBOIS 6 MILES. His bafflement and rage subsided when he got to a sign that said DUBOIS 5 MILES, shortly thereafter, but unfortunately that was followed by a sign that said DUBOIS 8 MILES. The next sign, about a mile further said DUBOIS 3 MILES. This one was actually somewhat accurate.

No comments: