Woke up early.  Alone in the back lounge of the bus, rolling steadily somewhere.

Not sure where we are exactly.  Through the bus windows I can see a four or five lane Interstate Highway that could be one of a million places in North America.  The trees are mostly deciduous trees that are common in most Central and Northeastern parts of this continent.  The houses that fill the passing subdivisions all have black tile or metal roofs, which I’ve seen practically everywhere from Scarborough to Seattle.  We have past an Arby’s, a steel manufacturing plant an apartment complex and a truck stop as I’ve been typing this sentence.  So far nothing I’ve seen in the past twenty minutes gives me any indication as to my current locale.

Amazing how much of North America has become so non descript, so generic.  I’m certain this is why I still live in St. John’s…it does not look, sound or smell like anywhere else.  It is different, unique.  I’m sure this is why I love places like Manhattan, New Orleans, Quebec City, and San Francisco.  Nothing better than a place that strives to be its own self.Nothing worse than a place that strives to be otherwise.

The same is true for people, I suppose.

I just saw a sign for Highway 271 North.  If I had a map, that would help me out, but there’s not enough wireless power to get Google earth running, so I’m still lost.  I could just walk up to the front of the bus ads ask JP, our most excellent driver, where we are, but I’m kind of enjoying this moment of suspension; on the winding road between somewhere and somewhere else, but at the moment, nowhere in particular.  Cool.

There’s a Highway 8 North sign and a BuySell Shop on the intersection.  We must be close to some town because we have slowed considerably and are stuck in traffic.  The license plates of the neighbouring vehicles are almost all from Ohio, which gives me enough evidence to assume that I’m in the right State.

Tonight we play Akron, which is a first for us, I believe.  Hoping to improve on last night’s performance, which for me at least was a feat of memory and panic.  Funny how some nights the chords and lyrics just appear in you hands and mouth at the right time.  Yet, on rare occasions like last night, I have to think about every strum, note and line to make them work.  Very grateful for the enthusiastic 5000+ who buoyed us through a few miscues.

Going over a very high over pass with a lovely town below the right side of the bus.  Looks like a College town with a big University Building and a church in the middle.  And the bus just veered right off the highway.  Me thinks we are in Akron.  Yep, Akron Recreational Department on the bus ahead.

Suspension complete.  We have arrived. Touchdown Akron, Ohio.
Lets make it count.
Cheers,
Alan