3 hrs, 10 kms

Actual date: Nov 4, 2015

After Broad Top City, the road plunges into the forest as it zigzags its way down the mountain . Then, suddenly the view opens up and I see a vast valley stretched out below. It looks fertile, resonably flat, with gentle wooded ridges all around the perimeter.

But strangely, it doesn't seemed to be very developed. There are some farms, interspersed with forest, but only one small town (Cassville) and no real sign that the population or industry has increased here since colonial times.

As I reach the valley, and wander along the back roads, I search for clues. I notice that there aren't any significant streams--in early days, moving water was considered vital for civilizing a region, as moving water could power a mill. Perhaps elevation played a role... much of the industrial development in this region took place lower down, along the rivers and railroad lines.

I check Wikipedia afterwards and find that the population of Cassville spiked from 1860 to 1870... and then sharply decreased and has been decreasing ever since .

I imagine, if Cassville Valley were in a place like Morocco, it would be a vibrant civilization build around farming etc... but in this "land of plenty", a region like this seems easy for people to pass up and abandon a town--just because living elsewhere might be a little more convenient and prosperous. The railroad lines skipped this valley... and wherever the railroad went, that's where the jobs were.

The people that are left here are here for one of two reasons: either they are farmers... or they inherited houses from their parents. There is a variety of lifestyles here. Some beautifully maintained homes that I would assume are of hardworkering retirees... alongside some trailers that look like they're ready to fall apart, representing the "I don't give a shit!" subculture...

Maybe some day a developer will figure "hey, this valley is within commuting distance of decent jobs--let's build a bunch of houses here!" and turn this valley into a residential suburb. Or maybe this valley will continue this way for centuries to come.

Personally, I'd prefer the latter.