I remember the first time I ended up on Erie Avenue without much intention, slowing down near 1070 Erie Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45208, because the street itself seemed to shift tone there, as if it were gently insisting that I pay attention before moving on.
The approach is quiet and almost deceptive, lined with ordinary houses that encourage you to stay on autopilot, and then the curves begin to rise, soft and storybook, pulling your eyes upward and outward in a way that feels less like surprise and more like recognition.
I noticed how other people reacted before I fully absorbed it myself, joggers easing into a walk, cyclists coasting, neighbors pointing out details to companions who clearly hadn’t noticed everything yet, and that shared pause became part of the experience…