Not Every Trip Needs a Plan: Part 2
- Angie Belock
- Sep 12, 2023
- 7 min read
The last time we talked, we had traveled from Athens to Gallipolis Ohio. Nyx, my four legged companion, had eaten my donuts, and I was sitting in my car contemplating flying my drone. I let my insecurities talk me out of flying it. Instead of researching what the warnings meant, I decided to not fly at all. Instead I set it aside. So Nyx and I had to come up with a new plan.
Here we were sitting at the beautiful Ohio River waterfront in Gallipolis and I had to make some new decisions. I knew there were plenty of areas to see around us but I didn't plan for what came next. A trip down 141 towards Ironton, Ohio. I knew Ironton well. I had lived there for a few years but I didn't want to stay on route 141. I wanted to see something different. I found a road that I have never travelled before and it connected to the Ohio River Byway so it fit all my qualifications.
Route 775 south took me through some amazing countryside. I loved the mixture of small hills, farm fields, and the curvy well paved road. I actually found this road to be the prettiest drive so far. It leaves the river behind but it hugs the Wayne National Forest and climbs through some of the foot hills of Appalachia. The few pictures I took do not do this road justice. I was just mesmerized by the view. I will probably go this route again when the fall colors come into full view. Yet, even the greenery made the road peaceful. I saw little traffic and while it did wind through the countryside it was well marked.
I love this depiction of Ohio because when you say you are from Ohio, a lot of people think this state is flat. They think of Columbus and Cleveland and they forget about the roads to Cincinnati and many outside this state have never heard of the Hocking Hills in Logan, Ohio. So I love taking pictures that demonstrate that Ohio has a varied terrain. It is a state that is diverse in both crops it can grow and the environments they grow in. It's fun to introduce people to the different topography this state has to offer.
There is something peaceful traveling through the hills. Nyx even curled up on the back seat after her sugar buzz wore off. 775 is not a road one takes if they are in a hurry. It is a road that allows the driver time to think and see nature. It is a road that inspires new ideas and during my drive, I realized I wasn't doing this trip for the landmarks, but to learn just a little about the areas I have never seen. I figured out that Ironton wasn't the destination but just a point on the map to stop. This was a nice reminder that the destination is not the highlight--the journey is. Sometimes the line between start and stop is more important than point a or b.
It took us about an hour to an hour and a half to arrive in the town of Ironton. By this time I was starving. So Nyx and I stopped at the local chain taco restaurant. We walked around so Nyx could stretch her legs and do what dogs do and I reflected that this was where it all began. The Ironton shopping plaza was where I use to shop for groceries. It was where Keith and I had a few dates, and I would pass here to head onto Athens to finish my last 2 years of schooling.I lived 100 percent on my own. I was 22 when I moved to Ironton. My goal, to be closer to Keith. During that time though, while I was learning to be a productive member of the community--I never took the time to learn the history. For me, at that time, it was just a small moment in what I hoped would be a better place later.
I didn't know the significance this small town played in industry or sports. Yes, that's right I said sports. A very particular sport to be honest, but I will come back to this in a minute.
As we drove into the downtown area I was reminded of one of my first jobs outside of college. I was working as a temporary secretary for a small Pig Iron plant called Ironton Iron. I didn't know how old that plant was or how important to the community it was. It was just a job that helped me and Keith pay for our wedding. I didn't know that this industry had once been world reknown. Iron was a big deal and Ironton at one time was a booming city when it was founded in 1849. John Campbell was a pig Iron manufacturer. ( According to Google, Pig Iron is the product of smelting Iron Ore (also ilmenite) with a high carbon fuel and a reluctant such as coke (a byproduct of Coal)) usually mixed with limestone. Pig Iron is an intermediate product usually used in making steel. It also can be used for cast Iron frying pans, decorative fences, toys like the cast iron wagons I like to collect.
Ironton prospered from the 1850's -1890's. It was the largest producer of Iron in the world. During this time England, France, and Russia all purchased Iron from this small river town.
This was a time of change and Ironton played its roll in the Underground Railroad. Ohio was one of the few states in our nation that prohibited slavery in its constitution. John Campbell and other city leaders sheltered run away slaves in their homes and helped them onto their next journey point. Ohio played a huge roll in helping the slaves move from one secret location to another until they arrived safely in Canada where they were legally free.
The Ohio River also played a roll in the way Ironton looks today. In 1937 a devastating flood paralyzed the city for 11 days. It started. as rain on January 5th, but with unseasonably warm temperatures the snow melt was heavy from late December storms. The River rose 19 feet above flood stage. When the water finally receded it left behind 3 million dollars in damages, 12,000 people homeless in the city of Ironton, two buildings leveled because of the water, and over 100 homes in the town washed away.
In April 1938 they started to build the flood wall.. It cost the city 3.85 million and encompasses the town. Since its construction the city has not witnessed the whole town under water.I have included a link "The Ohio River" that my readers can click on to learn more about the flood of 1937.
In 1990 a new appreciation of the flood wall began as part of a beautification project. The walls were painted with murals of the city's past and honoring many of the businesses that have supported and grown the city through its life time.( I have included a link highlighted blue, "The River" above for my readers to click on to learn more about each mural. Also in my video and photo library I have put together a small sampling of the murals I took with the drone.)
Nyx and I did enjoy the walking path right by the murals facing the river. It was a beautiful sunny day and I finally took another chance with the drone. This time I spent some time doing research on the different warning signs and what you have to do to get permission to fly in some zones.
During this uncertainty Nyx and I traveled across the Russel Bridge to Greenup Kentucky and through Ashland as well. Both beautiful towns on the Kentucky side of the river but I eventually headed back to Ironton and buckled down. It took five minutes to follow the instructions agree with the requirements, and make note of places drones were. not allowed to fly at all. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be and it made me feel better to finally fight through my own self doubt to get it done. I will have a video of that flight included in my picture and video gallery on my website if you want to see those images.
On our way home we passed Ironton High School. We didn't stop to take pictures, we just wanted a glance at a little forgotten sports history. The Ironton Tanks were a semi-professional football team who reportedly were one of the best teams to never play in the NFL . The Ironton Football team today still uses their old stadium for games and practices. Many changes have taken place on the field but the stadium still stands and it is called Tanks memorial stadium.
The Tanks had an outstanding record of 85 wins, 19 losses, 14 ties, an undefeated season in 1922, a state championship in 1926 and dual victories in 1930 over The NFL powerhouses of that year The Chicago Bears and New York Giants. Though maybe, even neater then that was the fact Thanksgiving turkey wouldn't be as enjoyable if it wasn't for this small team in Ironton. The first ever Thanksgiving football game took place in Ironton against The Huntington Boosters where theTanks won 12-0 on Nov 30, 1922. As time went on, Ironton could no longer afford to host such a great team and the tanks got folded into other teams and overtime many ended up playing for the Detroit Lions. As the new players came into the league they were asked on ways the NFL could boost ticket sales and members both from Huntington and Ironton talked about the great success they had with crowds at their Thanksgiving games. From there Detroit took it a step further and talked NBC into broadcasting the first Thanksgiving Day game nationally in 1934. It is neat to know that the small town team from Ironton Ohio had an impact on a tradition many of us still enjoy today.
The stadium is still there, filling many Friday night fans with memories and fulfilling small town teams with the dream and inspiration of carrying that football to victory. If you get a chance visit the stadium where there is a small dedication to the once small but Mighty Ironton Tanks.
As Nyx and I drove home the speediest way possible, I had to reflect on how things happened. This one small day trip actually turned into a really cool adventure. Did I check off my well planned itinerary? Yes and no. No I didn't visit many places on my list in Gallipolis, but yes, I pushed past my insecurities and I learned something new about my drone and about trusting myself to figure things out. I learned that traveling with a dog is an enjoyable adventure but one should never leave their donuts unguarded. Yes, through it all I had an amazing one day adventure going off the beaten path and following the roads less traveled.
It is true. Not every trip needs a plan but every adventure needs a good road trip buddy, a few snacks, and a willing heart to go where you don't expect. The destination isn't always the main objective, so sit back and enjoy the journey.
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