So off to New Hampshire, again… is this becoming a trend? Circling Back? Hitting a state more than once? Well, I know this will only be happening on the east coast; some of these states are so close together! I didn’t do much research, just found a place for the night so I could plan my next week. I know that I am landing in Lake Forest, IL to visit a cousin and get an oil change. This will be the third oil change on the road, so 15,000 miles – WHAT?
Upstate NY…again…
Our stay is fine, just need to decompress and plan! I really don’t have much of a choice but to head back to upstate New York. I found a cute looking winery on Harvest Host, so that will be the next stop; Hummingbird Hills Winery. We had a leisurely morning and then we’re on the road again! I tried my best to stay off the turnpikes so I could see more of the area; a longer drive is worth the scenery! Driving along I notice signs for Schenectady NY and I recall a movie that Max recommended called Schenectady, so I take a picture and send it to Max. WRONG… the movie is called Synecdoche, New York. I tried. Either way, I don’t recommend the movie! HAHA
I finally found the winery, there’s no service up here in the hills, so it took a bit, but the views were worth the wait! The host was very kind, I did some ‘wine’ tasting and we chatted for a while. He had a lot to share about the property, what he used to do, all the events they have and of course the ‘wine’ (most of it was not made from grapes, a bit sweet). The property was very pretty, fabulous views and great walks with Lambert! I really want to find some nice parks, national or state, to visit on my way to Illinois. Then I realize; I am not too far from Niagara Falls, it was on my list of maybes, so I decide to go.
Niagara Falls…hmmmm
I knew it wasn’t going to be a great drive, pretty much I-90 all the way, but oh well. I made a reservation for two nights at a park nearby. The park is nice, great dog park! We plan to go to the falls the next day. So, not sure if any of you have been to Niagara Falls but…kind of disappointing! I drove up and looked for parking, all full, so I continued driving and see $25 parking and also a sign that said Niagara Falls parking… so I went there and it was free and a half mile from the falls. So why are people paying for parking?? That wasn’t my first clue that this was kind of a weird place.
Driving to the falls there were roller coasters, casinos, ‘fun parks’; so commercialized and strange. After parking we walked along the river and took in the sights. The nature was beautiful, but the boats of people with red (USA) or blue (Canada) ponchos were a bit much. There was an overlook to see all three falls at once. I asked the man attending to the line if I could take Lambert. He replied ‘ only service animals allowed”; okay, I responded. Then he adds ‘just tell them whatever you want, he’s a comfort dog, they’ll let you take him’. Ummm, hard pass. (That was weird.)
Lambert and I enjoyed seeing the falls from the ground!! It was cool to be there, not sure if it’s still a romantic destination, but that’s what I remember hearing about it, growing up. I didn’t see any fancy hotels, but who knows…maybe I missed it! The coolest thing for me was being on the great lakes, Erie and Ontario, so let’s continue this trend!
Ohio…again…
Lake Erie is a big one! The next day we set out for the middle point of the lake, stopping point was Ashtabula Township, Ohio (again)! Another HH, another winery (with a cafe this time)! Lago Cellars. I drive up and there is another van in the parking lot, the woman rolls down her window (actually do we still say, rolls down? Or do we say pouches the button? – anyway) and says to me, we’re repping the PNW, she has Oregon plates. I get excited, probably waaayyyy tooooo excited, thinking… I will have someone to chat with this evening, maybe have dinner together..That didn’t happen. We did park and chat and our dogs met and then I never saw her out of the van again!
There were quite a few HH guests there, people were friendly, but not chatty. Another couple was out playing with their dog when Lambert and I were wandering around and I asked if their dog was friendly, they said no. Okay… I decided to get back in the van and go to the beach, there were tons of them close by, EVERY SINGLE ONE SAID NO DOGS… Not my favorite place. Tomorrow I will find a beach that a dog can at least walk on!
Ohio…still…
Well, second best option, a national park is sort of on my route! Cuyahoga National Park. At least we can get a hike in today! On to Peninsula Ohio. The town is very cute! There’s a ranger outside the visitor center and he gives me the low down on the park. The park is spread out in many areas nearby. I ask him if you could only do one hike what would it be, he sends us on our way to The Ledges trail. There is parking for the van, it looks well populated, but not overcrowded (and no roller coasters on the periphery) so it’s a go! The hike was nice, shady, sunny, kind people; all in all a great stop! One more stop at a local park for a little picnic and we’re back on the road to Sandusky. (Funny name.)
The town was actually pretty cool, again, old churches, graveyards etc, a tad run down, but cute. The park was pretty red-necky and LOTS of Harley’s. I just don’t get the ‘in and out’, all evening and then again early in the morning. If you drive a Harley must you always be going somewhere? At all hours? Why do they have to be soooooo LOUD? Anyway, decent place to stay, lots of good walking for the pup! And it’s just a pit stop! NOW to find a beach! BTW, I am still on Lake Erie. Huge Lake! Next stop, Lake Michigan.
FINALLY out of Ohio. I tried to not take the ‘turnpikes’ but it didn’t work out. Even when you get off of them you get so lost trying to find a town, it’s crazy. This I would plan differently, or I guess actually plan, if I am in the area again. AND it cost me $37 to drive though Ohio. WTF!
Still making my way to Illinois!
Another HH, this time a brewery in Bridgman, MI and get this, it backs up to a…..CEMETERY! Haymarket Brewery & Taproom was great, except I set my beer on the arm of the Adirondack chair and it fell…oops! The food was great, Lambert had the chicken breast! There were tons of places to walk, lots of grass and I met some nice neighbors. Lambert got a bit crazy and got away from me and they stopped him. They had this older RV with a huge sign on the back ‘The Evans Family Band’. I asked them about it and they are a traveling family band! Their kids weren’t with them on this trip, but they’ve been traveling and singing for many years! So cool.
The next morning we go straight to an actual dog park to let Lambert get all his pent up energy out and I met a lovely couple with three shelties, the dogs ran and ran and ran. Perfect morning! I will finally get to a beach that allows dogs! Warren Dunes State Park, they had a dog beach! Even though Lambert is not a fan of the water we both enjoyed walking along the beach! Our next stop is in Indiana. You could certainly tell that Indiana is not weed friendly, as you leave Michigan there are pot stores galore, offering major discounts for first time buyers, pretty funny!
We arrived at our spot for the night, likely the worst place I have stayed so far; Michigan City Campground. The web site makes it look beautiful…uugghhh. The spots were tiny and the people next to me had 3 half broken down cars that I had to look at while I was outside at the picnic table, not the best. But it was a quick stay. We explored Indian Dunes National Park, which was spread out throughout the area. It did seem like the best way to see the park would be on a bike, which is not an option. Indiana was not my favorite state. At least where we were, it just seemed pretty run down, except for the NP of course.
Arrived!
Off to Lake Forest, Il to visit a cousin and get an oil change. It’s not a long drive, but the traffic through Chicago was pretty bad and you could barely see the city with all the smoke from the Canadian wild fires. We check into The Hotel Indigo, it was nice and clean! Lambert has his own bed and is very excited! We relaxed, I showered – AHHHH….. And then Lynn (cousin) insisted on picking me up because I will enjoy her new ride! I had a feeling it would be a convertible and it was; a very cute little red BMW. She even brought me a sun hat to wear for the ride!
We had a lovely evening, cocktails on the patio withTaylor, Todd and the pup Juno. She’s a HUGE DOG, Alaskan Malamute! Then we enjoyed salmon for dinner and a lot of Trump talk. (Yes, we are on the same page!) Lynn drove me back and got a tour of the van. It is so nice to see friends and family along the way, the hotel is an extra bonus! In the morning I am off for the oil change and I asked them to check the tires, fluids and anything else they can think of, they sent me off with a perfect bill of health for the van! That feels good!
I am on my way to see two more cousins (Lynn’s sisters, Sherry and Nancy) in the Minneapolis area, though I have one night in Wisconsin before I get there! Corn fields here I come!
Really enjoyed reading the highs and lows of each place. You really did have an amazing trip~
Yes – it was amazing!!!!
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