COLUMBUS, Ohio - I took a day off from the road yesterday to talk to people here for a story I’m writing later in the week. Today, though, I plan to head south into Appalachian country.

There’s been a light snow falling since last night and it is cold out. It is 17 degrees now, and there’s a strong wind, too. Schools are starting late. But I have coffee, bad bagels, a small box of Cheerios lifted from the hotel continental breakfast and satellite radio that at least provides a steady stream of classic soul even if it can’t tell me what time it is where I am.

I was going to go to Chillicothe. It’s the next good-sized town due south of here and many people have suggested it as a great place to talk politics with people. It was named last year one of “Ohio’s Best Hometowns” by Ohio Magazine.

But it’s such a good political bellwether that the Columbus Dispatch is doing a series from Chillicothe. Every Nov. 4 the paper is coming to town to talk to voters about the presidential election. You can check out the paper’s series here. Folks there don't need another reporter bugging them.

As for me, there’s plenty of Ohio out there that hasn’t gotten as much attention. I’ll hit the road soon and stop in the first interesting looking place I find.