5 hrs, 12 kms

Actual date: May 27, 2015

Today the scenery goes back back to typical Appalachia: a valley and then another ridge at the other side . High up the ridge I climb up a grassy slope to get a beautiful view of the landscape behind me: lush rolling wooded landscape interrupted by an occasional flowery meadow. A fitting farewell to Huntingdon County.

And so the road continues through a thinly populated area along the Little Juniata River. Sometimes rising up and cutting through a ridge, revealing the angled rock layers--evidence of the massive upheaval of the earth's surface leading to the creation of these mountains... other times the road follows the river, with rusty metal bridges crossing from time to time to whatever homes there might be on the other side.

There is one borough along the way. Birmingham bears no resemblance to its English counterpart--its just a road that climbs up the wooded hillside a little ways with two blocks of houses built on the slopes. Quite different from any of the other towns I've seen. All steep forest land around... makes you wonder what inspired people to create a village here in the first place.

It's been rainy, steamy day and I could really use a bath. I figure I'd better get one now before I reach more populated areas. I hop into the refreshingly cool waters of the Junianta... not quite deep enough to swim in--but still leaves me feeling like a new man.

Over one more ridge, and I reach my next Valley Civilization: Logan Valley.