Roaming Free In An RV

Oh, Midwest, with your 84 degree days, 65% humidity, and no wind, you made it feel like 95.

We were in Ohio for a week and the memories of growing up in the Midwest came flooding back due to the hot, stickiness and stagnant air that is the Midwest summer. It’s where going out to your car at 8:00 in the morning means you need another shower already and walking into any place with air-conditioning means you need a sweater. Anyone from the Midwest can totally relate to what I am saying!

We stayed at the Woodside Lake Park campground which was was very quiet during the week. Most campsites are reserved full-time, whose owners visit the park mostly on the weekends. Our days were filled with both of us working from home in the morning, running errands in the afternoon, and getting back to working out. We are slowly getting into a routine and I have to admit, I like knowing what my day looks when I first wake up. During our week long stay in Ohio, we decided to explore Cuyahoga Valley National Park during the week and Cleveland on the weekend.

Due to rain in the forecast, we moved up our trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park from Friday to Wednesday.  The park is one of the newest parks in the country only designated in 2000 and the land was saved from overdevelopment due to concerned citizens.  It is very unique as there are houses and businesses around and even inside some of the park areas.  We did some short hikes and were able to check out two popular destinations, a large overlook where you can see most of the valley in the Ledges area, and a beautiful falls – Brandywine Falls.  The park also has a population of bats in dark, mossy caves that is being protected from the outbreak of White Nose Syndrome which has killed over 5 million bats in the U.S.  Other activities that were available included horseback riding, a scenic train ride, a great paved biked path, and even a golf course.

As we explored Cleveland we found out that the air and water show was that day. Wanting to see Lake Erie before the show began, we walked to the lakefront first and then continued on to see the Free Stamp, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the baseball and football stadiums. A few blocks down from the waterfront is a really cool indoor shopping center called the Arcade, which was renovated in 2001. We continued on to visit the Cleveland Museum of Art and had an early dinner at the famous Melt Bar and Grilled, a local restaurant legend made famous by specializing in creative grilled cheese sandwiches.

We enjoyed exploring Ohio this past week and are very grateful that we are exploring the country this way. If not for this trip, we most likely would not explore towns like Cleveland or smaller national parks like Cuyahoga a Valley, or experience the unique culture of these places. We live in such a diverse and beautiful country. Knowing that there is so much to see yet, we cannot wait to see what the future holds!

I love this time of year when fall is in the air! Leaves are changing color, pumpkin and apple cider drinks are out, and as Brad made me aware, college football has started. I see my fall future in front of me of watching Michigan State football with the fireplace on with a warm drink in my hands. It could be worse. Brad could be working a 12 hour days. I’ll take watching football with him. Go MSU!

For the next couple of weeks we are off to New York State to explore Niagara Falls and the Adirondacks. I miss seeing the mountains, feeling the nice, cool mountain breeze, and cannot wait to get in some hiking! Till then!