TOWN FORK CREEK lazes through the Austin Lake Campground near Toronto,OH on the Ohio River North of Steubenville. The vast majority of the facility’s 200 camping sites border the stream or one of many lakes and ponds that lace the area.

JUST DRIFTING ALONG—

Today I drove through Paris. Not that one, silly. This one was small-town Americana up there on State Route 172 a bit East of Canton.

Rockwell’s vision of rural USA drifted by the windows of the Jeep. Lots of farms nested in those valleys far below, then again over there on the hills and even the modest home out here was looking polished with a hefty dose of owner pride.

The morning sky sparkled as I headed toward East Liverpool and my appointment with Old Man River—the Ohio one. Even before the camper came to live with me last fall this trip was a dream; to take some time and meander as the river goes. Today is the day.

At East Liverpool the road bends back West in compliance with the river’s course and State Route 7 becomes my paved trail toward Marietta. But, I am in no hurry so the first overnight stop is a very hilly eight miles inland; Austin Lake Park and Campground.

Picture me muscling the Jeep and its wheeled burden around the steeply descending curves while I am symbolically dragging my foot in an imaginary effort to keep us under control. With every foot down the hilly curves I am more convinced we will need a tow to get back up to the highway.

Finally, there’s Bill Cable, one of the owners, by the gate waving me a smiling greeting and, after lots of old pilot talk—and a little business—I am plopped in my shady digs for the night.

Mark, my neighbor camper from Wheeling, and a fellow pilot, tells me Bill’s dad started this 1,500-acre Nirvana of a facility. It’s long and skinny in a sharply cut stream valley with spacious, shady lots.

I was amused when I punched the scan button on my FM receiver and it went around the dial and stopped once. I learned to appreciate the frequency 89.9; a public radio frequency from somewhere over in West Virginia.

So, tomorrow it’s off to Marietta. But, for now, let the vacation begin.

Vacation? I’m always on vacation!

I think it’s time for a beverage.