Traveling America By Van: Two Days To Cleveland
By: John Kumiski
After thanking them as best we could, we took our leave of Dave and Beth, and wonderful, cheesy Wisconsin, on a Sunday morning. The best route to Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, our next stop, was on the interstate. We had to get through Chicago!
This drive caused some stress, but no more than would be caused on any interstate near any big city. Once through Chicago, we picked up I-90. After passing by Gary, we got onto US 12, which we followed through some industrialized areas (US Steel a big player here) to the national lakeshore. Then we went to the beach!
It is an industrial area- US Steel has a strong presence.
The weather was lovely, the beach popular. Just finding parking was a major operation. We wanted to see the lake and walk through the dunes, so we put in the requisite search, and got rewarded with a parking spot. There were lots of people, speaking lots of languages, having lots of fun! And, you could see Chicago way on the other side of Lake Michigan!
We had a reservation for a campsite at the national lakeshore campground. As the day waned, we went looking for it. Once in the campground, a car followed us quite closely. After I backed into our site, the lady in the car pulled up and said to me, "I have this site reserved for tonight." Well, that's a problem. So do I!
A conversation ensued. She and her daughter were driving to Massachusetts from California- daughter was starting her freshman year at Smith College in September. And she indeed did have the same site number reserved, for the same night, as I. Closer examination revealed that she was supposed to be at the Indiana Dunes State Park campground, not the Indiana Dunes National Park campground. Happy that the little mystery was cleared, she started driving off. Not before I told her if she had a problem there, we could make room for her. We did not see them again, though.
You could see Chicago across Lake Michigan.
In the morning we continued northeast on US 12. Mike and Rosa were expecting us today. The road followed along the lake, featuring a '60s kind of vibe, until it crossed the state line into Michigan. Then it turned and went due east, mostly through rolling farm country. There was still a lot of corn growing!
At Sturgis, Michigan (NOT Sturgis, South Dakota), we made a right turn on Route 9, following it south back into Indiana, to US 20. There we headed east again, entering Ohio. So far so good. We're taking back roads, but it's slow going. Mike and Rosa are expecting us, and it's rude to show up at dinner time. So, onto the Ohio Turnpike we got, speeding east past Toledo. Yes, it was more boring highway driving, but it did eat up the miles. We made our way onto US 6, a lovely road that travels through some equally lovely small towns along the shores of Lake Erie.
John and Susan and Rosa and Mike.
We pulled into Mike and Rosa's driveway in Avon Lake about three in the afternoon, early enough to not show up at dinner time! I had a six-pack of Burning River Pale Ale, so we wouldn't get dry while talking. Laughs and hugs followed, and the conversation centered on our children- our son Maxx is married to their daughter, Catalina. We had just visited "the kids," so we had recent news of the personal sort you just can't get on Facetime.
Mike asked us what we wanted to do the next day. "See Cleveland!" we said. Which was a weird thing for me to say.
I have never wanted to visit Cleveland. Drew Carey notwithstanding, I'd heard so many bad things about it. Heck, the Cuyahoga River through Cleveland has caught fire thirteen times! It wasn't the place to go if one enjoys unspoiled vistas, and clean water in which to fish. Here we were, making plans to see it.
A leisurely morning led us to a lunch stop at Shooter's, right on the Cuyahoga. I'd get to see the infamous river up close and personal. Maybe I'd go for a swim!
Cuyahoga River waterfront property. The river isn't burning, but it's not crystal clear, either.
After lunch (no fires to report, and no swimming), we headed to the one thing in Cleveland I did want to see- the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. What a place! The foyer is lined with exquisite black and white portraits, with some of my favorite musicians- Jeff Beck, James Brown, Janis Joplin, Albert King, Jimi Hendrix- in attendance. We paid our money (discount for veterans) and entered the cathedral of rock.
Susan relaxes on the Long Live Rock sign? Sculpture?
A wide variety of displays illustrates, with music and video, of course, the history of rock and roll. Many famous guitars are on display. Many famous outfits are there. Lots of great music can be listened to. I could have spent a couple days there, but we only had a couple of hours. I am grateful I got to see as much of it as I did. On my next trip to Cleveland, though, I'm gonna camp out there.
Mike then brought us through the theatre district, and the medical district. The place was, dare I say it, beautiful! Parks! Trees! Art! I'm sure he did not bring us to the rougher parts of town, but much to my surprise, there certainly was a lot to like about Cleveland!
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, on the shore of Lake Erie.
The world is a metronome that keeps on ticking. Humans, with their linear perception of time, live by that 'nome. We still had many more miles to cover. After thanking Mike and Rosa for their hospitality, morning found us on the road again, heading towards the sun...
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