We drove 337 miles to get to the KOA in Northwest Chicago. The first rain we encountered was in Michigan. Fred was nice enough to pull over so I could put on my rain gear. We checked the weather map and saw a HUGE green patch with orange and yellow passing right where we were driving. The storm was heading east as we were heading west. By the time we got back on the road, the storm had mostly passed. I was very happy! That was the only storm i could see on the map.
BUT.....you don't think it was over. As we passed around Chicago in terrible traffic, worse than NY, if you can imagine that. We looked up and saw a nasty dark cloud ahead of us. You know what happened next, it started pouring!!!! Once again I have not yet used the rain-x or fog-x sitting in camper. By this time, I had taken off my rain gear and there was no place to pull over, so I got soaked so bad I had puddles in my jacket at my elbows. I had my phone in my pocket... Do you know where I'm headed? You know it! My phone is waterlogged, hence the reason there are no photos on the last post nor this one. I tried to blow dry it, but it didn't help. I think I'm going to have to break down and upgrade to the 4G! I should be back on the phone lines tomorrow. We are planning on RESTING!!!! It's now 1:37am CENTRAL time, yet, where you are it's 2:37am. We needed to get this blog up and running, get our scrap book in order and we want to sleep as late as we want, catch up with laundry (hopefully the washer and dryer will not break LOL) and relax. We've been on the move and it's time to take a break.
Tuesday we plan on going to Chicago. There is SO much to do and NOT enough time. We'll make a plan tmw. Ok, I realize I'm rambling. I hope we have entertained you so far. Off to bed! Good night.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
August 5th and 6th ~ Waldenwoods Campground Hartland, Michigan and the Ford Museum Dearborn, MI
It's Friday, August 5th. We are off to visit Al and Karen at a private campground called Waldenwoods located in Hartland, Michigan. We drove 241 miles to arrive at out next destination.
We had a nice chicken dinner at the pavilion with Al and Karen on their dinner break. After a nice walk around the lake, we caught up with Al at the store Karen works at. By the time Karen got off work, we were exhausted and ready for our next adventure to the Ford museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI.
Sat Aug 6h
The village AND museum were another great hotspot! We saw the glassblowers, learned about how the old printing press worked, this is also where we learned about the duties of teachers in the 1800's. We saw the tinsmith and the blacksmith. At the museum, there was so much to take in! Where do we start? Trains, planes and automobiles. LMAO. As a matter of fact our trip is very similar to that movie. Many funny things are happening along the way. Hopefully you have had a few deep belly laughs reading about our adventure across the country.
We definitely recommend going to the Ford museum if you are in the area!
After getting back from the museum, Fred went to dinner with Al and I decided to take a leisurely walk around the lake. I left at 8:30pm and thankfully it didn't get dark until after 9:30 because somehow I didn't make it around the 3 mile trail before the sun went down. I tried to call Fred and let him know I'm somewhere in the woods around the lake, but as you all can guess, his phone was turned off. I found a clearing which led into someone's backyard. I figured, GREAT, and the TV is on, someone must be home to point me in the right direction. I knocked on the door, nobody came. I looked in the window and saw someone in such a deep sleep on the couch, their mouth was open with drool seeping into the pillow. So I decided to walk to the road and I saw a development. I thought "oh great! I'll ask at the guard booth" You don't think it's that easy, there was no booth and a big gate. So I flagged down the next car that came by. It turned out the be a mother and daughter on their way home from the supermarket. They told me where I was and said it was a long walk back to the campground. They insisted on bringing me after they dropped off the ice cream they just bought. The mom and dad came back to get me and what do you know, the mom had grown up in the house who's backyard I walked through. On the way back, they asked "isn't anyone worried about where you are" LOL. I arrived back at the campground to find Fred and Al chatting wondering where I was. Never a dull moment on this trip. LOL :-) It was totally worth it! It felt so good to finally get some exercise!
We had a nice chicken dinner at the pavilion with Al and Karen on their dinner break. After a nice walk around the lake, we caught up with Al at the store Karen works at. By the time Karen got off work, we were exhausted and ready for our next adventure to the Ford museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI.
Sat Aug 6h
The village AND museum were another great hotspot! We saw the glassblowers, learned about how the old printing press worked, this is also where we learned about the duties of teachers in the 1800's. We saw the tinsmith and the blacksmith. At the museum, there was so much to take in! Where do we start? Trains, planes and automobiles. LMAO. As a matter of fact our trip is very similar to that movie. Many funny things are happening along the way. Hopefully you have had a few deep belly laughs reading about our adventure across the country.
We definitely recommend going to the Ford museum if you are in the area!
A few houses in the Greenfield Village
Fred really likes this house. Has lots of stones!! Stone sides, stone roof, stones galore!
That beautiful girl in standing in front is pretty cool herself :-)
That beautiful girl in standing in front is pretty cool herself :-)
Fred's FAVORITE flowers-Black Eyed Susan's. They were all over the place!
Lydia's FAVORITE. Pulleys and machines and lots of moving parts!
Finishing lunch at the Eagle Tavern. We started with corn, lemon poppyseed and blueberry muffins. They were SOOOO good! We shared Dandelion soup. Fred got the Ham and egg pie and a glass of hard cider. The cider was excellent! I got the beefcakes with onion gravy with corn on the cob. Everything was delicious. We practically licked our plates clean!
After getting back from the museum, Fred went to dinner with Al and I decided to take a leisurely walk around the lake. I left at 8:30pm and thankfully it didn't get dark until after 9:30 because somehow I didn't make it around the 3 mile trail before the sun went down. I tried to call Fred and let him know I'm somewhere in the woods around the lake, but as you all can guess, his phone was turned off. I found a clearing which led into someone's backyard. I figured, GREAT, and the TV is on, someone must be home to point me in the right direction. I knocked on the door, nobody came. I looked in the window and saw someone in such a deep sleep on the couch, their mouth was open with drool seeping into the pillow. So I decided to walk to the road and I saw a development. I thought "oh great! I'll ask at the guard booth" You don't think it's that easy, there was no booth and a big gate. So I flagged down the next car that came by. It turned out the be a mother and daughter on their way home from the supermarket. They told me where I was and said it was a long walk back to the campground. They insisted on bringing me after they dropped off the ice cream they just bought. The mom and dad came back to get me and what do you know, the mom had grown up in the house who's backyard I walked through. On the way back, they asked "isn't anyone worried about where you are" LOL. I arrived back at the campground to find Fred and Al chatting wondering where I was. Never a dull moment on this trip. LOL :-) It was totally worth it! It felt so good to finally get some exercise!
Aug 4th-Cedar Point Amusement Park ~ Sandusky, Ohio
We arrive at cedar point. This has longest wooden roller coaster, "mean streak"
The first ride of the day. Here it is! Time to get bumped around. It was great! But that was enough for me. My neck hurt before I rode it and I was hoping it would be like a chiropractic adjustment. Not the case, unless you like the way Andrew adjusts. I was done after that. As much as I love roller coaster rides, I'm not ready for them. Maybe next year.
Fred went on the ride "Mustang" without me. Do you see him?
Here he comes after the ride.
Big Smiles!!!
Here's a view from the ferris wheel, one of the few rides I can still endure.
This is Lake Erie. Look at those waves!!! They are bigger than the ones at Cedar Beach.
I couldn't believe it! I didn't know lakes had waves. Did you?
What's a day at the amusement park without a ride on the carousel.
You are never too old to ride this one, we just looked a little silly without a small child. LOL
We were beat after a long day in the hot sun. Sleeping was good this night.
Aug 3rd-Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ~ Cleveland, Ohio
Today we are heading to Cleveland, Ohio to visit the Rock and Roll hall of fame. This was the first terrible ride. We got caught in the rain!!! YUCK!!! As any rider knows to bring a rain suit, hoping that if you have it, you won't need it. WELL, I needed it. I rode at least 100 miles in the rain. I had a very hard time seeing through my windshield and visor. I have rain-x and fog-x in the camper, but you don't think I applied it, do you?
Lyd in her rain pants getting wet in the storm
I know it's blurry, it's kind of how I felt. LOL
Look at how good we look considering the ride we just had and don't think parking was too easy. It was definitely better than Toronto!
This is the only museum dedicated to rock and roll
Why is there a HUGE hotdog hanging in the entrance of the museum?
Fred is rockin on the guitar. Play some Megadeth!!!!
Look at those alien fingers. Do they look familiar? Go back and look at the pic of Fred and I and tell me if you see any similarities.
Goodbye Rock and Roll Hall of fame. We will definitely be back.
This museum was absolutely amazing! You all have to go!!!!!!
Time to continue our travels to Sandusky, Ohio. where we will sleep tonight.
It's about 120 miles. It has stopped raining, so I'm very happy!
August 2nd-Hockey Hall of Fame ~ Toronto, Canada
Woke up early went to the post office, they said come back at 10am, that's when the next truck comes. My passport came just as Deb promised. Then we hopped in the camper and started off to Toronto, Canada. After taking a "scenic route" we arrived in the city. Now the next problem was where to park the camper? Imagine driving a 23 foot camper into NYC. Well that's exactly what we did. Of course we couldn't fit in the underground garages and when we found an open parking garage, the guy told me it would cost $80 for the day and we had to fit down an alleyway that you couldn't get a car to go down. So we drove around some more and found the Sheraton Hotel which had a high entranceway. I haggled with one of the attendants and got to park for $30. Then we were off to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
We won the cup!!!
Here's Fred at the entrance
My favorite goalie-Patrick Roy
My favorite goalie as a 7'6'' statue
Fred's boy-Mike Bossy
The "REAL" Stanley Cup
Who can pass this huge statue without a pic
Not I!
This place is awesome! James you totally have to go here.
When we were done, I was FREEZING and we were both hungry. We found this restaurant.
The obika mozzarella bar
Their mozzarella only comes from Itlay from special buffalos
Fred got a sandwhich with pancetta, mozz and arugala. I had the veg pizza with smoked mozz. It was sooo good! The cheese tasted like it came out of a fire, the way a marshmallow tastes after roasting it.
Mmmm Mmmmmmm Mmmmmmmm
Then we walked around. You see that building in the middle of the pic? Does it look familiar? If you've been in the flatiron district in NYC you'll see one very similar to it!
Then it was back to the camper and back to America.
You don't think that was easy.....not on this trip. I decided to take a nap and told Fred just stay on the QEW and that will bring you back to the border, which it did, but not the border NORTH of Grand Island, where we were staying. We crossed the border near Buffalo, NY, which is South of Grand Island. We did not know this when we crossed so we got onto I-90 going South, toward what we thought we be the campground, but we kept seeing signs to Buffalo and realized something must be wrong. I looked on my phone and I said "my phone thinks we are near Buffalo!!! It must be wrong" Until further investigation, I realized that we needed to get off the QEW and take rt 403 to the border North of Grand Island. It was another adventure to add to our trip. Can anything be easy?
You don't think that was easy.....not on this trip. I decided to take a nap and told Fred just stay on the QEW and that will bring you back to the border, which it did, but not the border NORTH of Grand Island, where we were staying. We crossed the border near Buffalo, NY, which is South of Grand Island. We did not know this when we crossed so we got onto I-90 going South, toward what we thought we be the campground, but we kept seeing signs to Buffalo and realized something must be wrong. I looked on my phone and I said "my phone thinks we are near Buffalo!!! It must be wrong" Until further investigation, I realized that we needed to get off the QEW and take rt 403 to the border North of Grand Island. It was another adventure to add to our trip. Can anything be easy?
August 1st-Niagara Falls, NY
Well, we were supposed to go to the hockey hall of fame today, BUT as we were checking in, I realized I forgot to bring my passport!!!!! I called up Debbie, and as usual, she's a lifesaver! She went to my apt found the passport and is sending it out overnight shipping. THANKS DEB! I guess things happen for a reason. I had to go the the hospital today because I had a UTI. I made our first breakfast in the camper before we left and it came out mighty fine. MMM MMMM MMMMMMMM
I spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and reading while Freddy went and did some laundry. Of course that couldn't be easy, right! I was wondering what was taking SO long. He came back 2hrs later and told me how the washer broke during the spin cycle! LOL. And then he had to dry his clothes FOREVER!
We had some dinner and decided to take a ride to Niagara Falls, the New York side, of course. I didn't have my passport, remember :-) We did get a break. They do fireworks fri and sun ONLY, which of course we missed BUT they also do them on holidays....Monday just happened to be a holiday in Canada, their "Civil Holiday" So we got to see the fireworks after all!!!!!
Look at the mist that occurs.
Imagine canoeing down that cliff. Sorry, mom, no butterflies here. LOL
The water is ripping!
Yet so beautiful and calming at the same time
July 31-We leave NY-Finally!!!
After many long nights of getting the bike and scooter ready for the trip, thank you Warren, I get two hours of sleep and wake up to Fred telling me the toilet is not working. The gears in the back have finally broke but I can manually flush. As I get ready, fred goes and gets us some breakfast.
After breakfast we get ready for our first long ride of the trip 420 miles to our first destination, Grand Island, NY.It's located 7 miles from Niagara Falls.
Our Mascot, thanks mom
On the way up we completed about 300 miles and I was literally falling asleep at the "handlebars" I had to take a nap, which worked out perfectly because just as I laid down it started to rain and when Fred woke me up 30 minutes later, the rain had stopped. I thought "WOW, how lucky am I?" Riding in the rain sucks!
As we continued our journey, the sun was beating on my face so bad I knew if I didn't do something, I was going to be sunburned BAD! They say Necessity is the mother of invention. So I took the only thing I had available, my glove, and shoved it in my helmet at 70mph and covered as much of my face as possible. It may look funny, but i worked!
WE FINALLY ARRIVE AT THE CAMPGROUND.
I'm so tired, all I want to do is relax, but we have to hookup the camper. Fred plugs in the power, no problems...then he connects the water, as he goes inside, I say "Fred it's leaking out here" He came out and tightened the hoses and stopped the leak. Then I go inside and I hear more water leaking so I look over at where I hear the noise and there is water flowing out of the toilet. I say Fred "There's another leak in here" We used many, many, many towels to clean up the mess. Ok, so now I think everything is good and I can finally relax...you guessed it, NOT YET!
I saw Fred had out the water, I asked him if he could pour me a drink, he's says sure, as he reaches to grab the jug, YEP, it gets knocked over and yet, another mess to clean up. LOLOLOL!!!! The first mess was annoying, this was just funny! It's all cleaned up and we can finally relax!
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