A note concerning tangents: (II)

Current Location: Oregon, OH (N41°38.179', W083°26.385',  elev: 620ft)
Distance Traveled on Leg 2: 329.1 miles
Total Distance traveled: 762.6 miles

Inspired by the great hero Han Solo, we took shelter through the evening within our stalwart mount. Fortuitously, Corona has some significant advantages over a tauntaun: she is not full of stinking viscera and we did not have to damage her to make use of her as shelter. During my morning activities I noticed some ill omened writing on the wall: "Hope Fades." I did not let this portent dampen my spirits and in fact was hailed enthusiastically while brushing my teeth by a trucker engaging in the same activity.

Speaking of which, we saw our first female trucker today. She was old, and likely will be seeing the inside of a glue factory before too many summers, but it gave us hope that she must have come from somewhere. Alas, I digress. We set forth from NY making all haste towards Lake Erie. We quit ourselves of NY soon enough, and the brief bit of PA that we needed to cross passed quickly and inconsequentially, much like a bit of gas after a late night snack. On a more troubling note, Hannibal believes that we are being pursued by Batlabian outriders. We will soldier onward, keeping a wary eye over our shoulders.

No sooner did we gain OH than we found ourselves at Walnut Park with the great majesty of Lake Erie stretching out before us. Though Walnut Park itself was bleak and morose of character, resembling a post apocalyptic waste more than a recreational space, the lake was glorious. Unlike Ontario's silky sand, Erie's shores were comprised of a course gravel, and where Ontario lacked stone Erie had an abundance.   Our ask completed, we explored the shore and then returned to the road.

We elected to eschew the highway and instead hopped along the coast, visiting small towns and beaches as we went: Ashtabula, Geneva-on-the-Lake, Fairport, the massive Headland beach, Paineville. It was pleasant to make our way casually without the press of time or import weigh upon our heads, although not all was idyllic. As if Batlabian outriders were not enough, we are concerned about the possibility of strife within our own ranks. Of note: our to this point faithful and diligent guide and navigator, Eloise, has begun to offer strange course headings and destination selections. It is almost as if she has her own agenda to follow and we are simply a means to an end. We are keeping our observations subtle, it would be unfortunate if we were to spook her.

A potentially larger problem is Hannibal's lecherous nature. It is only the second day and we've already had to go out of our way to indulge his vice. Edison swore to me this would not be a problem before we set out, and now here I am, already employing the most severe of my askance glances in his direction. As if his manipulation of the locals wasn't bad enough, Hannibal toys within our own ranks. Young Blitz has been swept up by his charisma and already her sisters grow jealous. Edison promises to personally handle an intervention should one become necessary.

Further dwelling will only dampen my spirit and by the very nature of these excursions we must look forward. Not all is bad, Edison and I continue to discover hidden achievements and are developing our own secret agenda. On the matter of public plans, as determined by a party vote, the expedition will remain in OH for another day. We will postpone our current mission and leave Huron for the day afte the morrow in lieu of exploring some sites in the western part of the state. 

In what will likely become a tradition, Edison would like to babble for a bit before I conclude the broadcast:

[Notes from Edison: The Ecstasy of Hannibal’s wild ride, the Agony of dermal irradiation. It evens out.

Tomorrow we test the tropes of the tropics, a tragic tempest of tortured tickles as the triage turns to each teasing topical ointment.

When last I knew I was the master, now I am but the learner - to the normally retiring third of our little team. But will Hannah rue evermore her choices in the morning; her love-wracked heart spurned by a callous cad wreathed in an ursine skin? Time will tell.

The wonders of the bed are not to be denied, but unlike a certain ‘animal’ I know, it is to shower and sleep I go.

Take heart, true believers… all is darkest before the dawn. For did not the prophet once utter these words: “I didn’t even have to use my AK… yeah, you know it was a good day.”?

True that.

Adieu, dosvidania.]

Orpheus calls, dear listeners. As the mythic gunslingers of old, we will travel ever forward into the direction of the setting sun. Thank you, America, and good night. This is the Nickness, signing off.

Thank you for tuning in! On our next episode: The Wrath of Apollo, Ancient Island Adventures, Temptation in the Garden?, When Last I Checked We Had These Thumbs For A Reason.