The Falls…. Monroe, Cuyahoga and Niagara!
More to Discover? Indiana came and went real fast on our planned route. We did have one National Park though! We’ll never pass up a National Park.
Sadly, the Indiana Dunes are not favorable to RV travelers. This is obviously a hiking or biking park with miles of beach and trails. Even driving in or through it was a real challenge for us dragging our trailers on winding skinny roads through the trees.
Judging from the crowds, this place is obviously a fun destination for families.
At least we can say we were there and we did get a few pictures from the road.
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Park
Along the coast of the fifth largest freshwater lake in the world, you’ll find Indiana’s most ecologically diverse area, the Indiana Dunes. Known by many for its beautiful Lake Michigan beaches, the Indiana Dunes area is also home to some of the world’s largest lakeshore dunes, including Mount Baldy, a 125-foot “living dune” shaped by glacial sands. Covered in native flora and wild lupines, the Indiana Dunes is the best place to spot hundreds of migratory birds, explore Hoosier history, and revel in a landscape full of natural splendor.
There are five Century of Progress homes at the Indiana Dunes National Park, but only one looks like the Barbie Dreamhouse. The Florida Home was built for the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, after which it was moved by barge to its current location. Just remember to use your best Barbie-approved manners when taking pictures in front of the house as people do live there.
The RV Hall of Fame
Don’t give up on Indiana just yet! Elkhart is the RV manufacturing capital of the world!
Most RV manufacturers in the US call Indiana home, and most of those do their manufacturing in Elkhart County. In fact, some 60 to 80% of all RVs — globally — are made in this northern Indiana town of about 50,000 people just east of South Bend. With the RV/MH Hall of Fame in town, Elkhart is a destination for both RV manufacturers and aficionados.
Another plus, the Hall of Fame Museum in Elkhart is a Harvest Host! We were able to stay in the museum parking lot with electrical hookups.
The parking lot was huge, and the Harvest Host electrical sites were few and far between.
The RV Founders Hall displays trailers, photos, and memorabilia reaching back to the 1920’s and 1930’s and is open to the public. The museum presents chronological and technological advancements in the industry from before WW I to the present.
The next morning we toured the museum.
We’re familiar with this rig. We follow the blog “Keep Your Daydream”. These YouTube bloggers have been full time RVers for years while raising their kids on the road. This rig was from the season where they purchased this vintage motor home specially to tour the Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica. After they were done they donated this classic to the museum.
Sort of like Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo Texas….
Ohio!
I love old these old barns.
Our next Harvest Host for the night was the American Winery and Brewery. Perfect hosts.
Of course we always clean up after our dogs.
I’m not sure what town this was in but it caught my eye.
Michigan!
This was just a quick run north into Michigan for a National Monument and then we were right back down into Ohio.
NBP preserves, commemorates, and interprets the January 1813 battles of the War of 1812 and their aftermath. Battles that resulted in the greatest victory for the British and the greatest defeat for the U.S. Out of the hundreds of U.S. soldiers that fought in the battle, only 33 survived.
Holy Toledo!
We were going to go to Cedar Point until we realized another National Monument was out on the island in Put-In-Bay. Time for a ferry ride.
Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial
The Battle of Lake Erie, also known as the Battle of Put-in-Bay, was fought on 10 September 1813, on LakeErie off the shore of Ohio during the War of 1812. Nine vessels of the United States Navy defeated and captured six vessels of the British Royal Navy.
The battle cry was “Don’t give up the ship!”
It is sooooo hot here.
“I have a sister and I’m not afraid to use her!”
We almost lost little 4 month old Indie. She actually collapsed from heat exhaustion. The closest emergency pet vet that could take her that night was back in Toledo. It was a rough night. She had fluids injected and was much better by morning. And only a $650.00 vet bill. 🥰
More Ohio….
I was raised in Arizona but born in Ohio. We’re working our way down and around to hit all of the hot spots.
Nice spot at the Canton KOA. Just ignore the landfill on the hill right above us.
Hey, Beanie’s here! Cousin Georgia Gay lives half the year in Ohio and half in Arizona. Her house here is in Hartsville, just a few miles away.
Canton Ohio, Pro Football Hall of Fame
There aren’t many pictures from inside because only David and Bruce went.
Bruce did get some pictures of the displays that are special to us. Namely anything with Pat Tillman, Larry Fitzgerald or Kurt Warner.
First Ladies in Canton, Ohio
Two properties, the home of First Lady Ida Saxton McKinley and the seven-story 1895 City National Bank Building, are preserved at this site, which honors the lives and accomplishments of First Ladies throughout history. The site is managed by the National Park Service and operated by the National First Ladies’ Library.
The buildings were very old and beautiful. It was definitely all about Jackie O.
It was cool to see her wedding dress.
Oh well, maybe next time around 😉
Cuyahoga Falls, Monroe Falls and Dogtown
Though a short distance from the urban areas of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park seems worlds away. The park is a refuge for native plants and wildlife, and provides routes of discovery for visitors. The winding Cuyahoga River gives way to deep forests, rolling hills, and open farmlands. You can walk or bike ride the Towpath Trail to follow the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal.
Many of the old locks are still visible.
Brandywine Falls
Until the highly polluted Cuyahoga River was cleaned up in the 70’s it used to regularly catch on fire.
Monroe Falls, and bordering old downtown Cuyahoga Falls is our old family home.
Lovingly referred to as “Dogtown”, at roughly Northmoreland and Issaquah streets. This tiny neighborhood has a rich history for our family and friends who mostly ended up in Arizona as well.
All of the old houses that we remember from the past are gone now. That’s progress.
Nothing to see here….
Niagara Falls
Bruce and Donna went to the Canadian side. We forgot our passports (!) so we went to downtown Buffalo.
There’s George again!
Another President – James A. Garfield
Dogs posing for their National Park Bark Ranger Rewards. Yep, that’s a thing.
It stopped raining before we arrived at this wonderful Harvest Host. We need to stay at more Golf Courses. This was great! They had a nice little pro shop and restaurant for dinner and the best grass Lotti has ever seen. Frisbee Heaven.
Last stop in Ohio. Clyde, where they make washing machines with pride. True story.
finallyfree2roam 
Wow! What an awesome cross country adventure you are having!! Thanks for sharing your journey and some of the sites you’ve seen. Continue to travel safe and have fun!
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