Illinois

                                                                

I left Indiana Friday morning by Rt. 135 South to Rt. 50 by virtue of the country scenery that it promised. The advice of a few locals that I met at the Pine Room Tavern served to be accurate. They said it was a selected route for the bikers in the area. What choice did I have? The scenery was country, and included rolling hills and lots of small farms. I stopped at a general store for breakfast that was just off the side of the road. They mostly cater to the “horse crowd” and close up in winter as 135 is not an easy road in the snow. No snow today. Clear going except for a stop or two for road work, note the photo. The rest of 50 West out of Indiana was pretty much the same, hills and farm land which was totally contrary to what lay in store when I entered Illinois. There, the landscape was flat with very few hills. What bordered the road was fields of wheat. Wheat was there at one time, now just dirt. Just miles and miles of flat land with farmers tilling the dry earth that kicked up trails of dust. I suppose they were getting the land ready for planting or something like that. Whatever farmers do. I was headed to the US Army Corps of Engineers Rend Lake Campsite at South Sandusky Campground, located near the town of Benton, Illinois off of state road 57. Army Corps of Engineer sites are the same as national parks, in the sense that they are government controlled. As I have a, gulp, senior pass, I pay half price for camping fees. So, $8.00 a night isn’t too bad, electric included. When I arrived at Sandusky I choose site 125 which is abut 200 feet from Rend Lake. I was thinking I would do some fishing tomorrow, as it turned out Saturday morning proved way too chilly at the lake for fishing, so instead I drove around the lake to take a few pictures. I then headed into Benton to see what the little town had to offer. It is an interesting town that has the distinction of the last hanging in the country, a local crook. I was told that by the guy at the RV supply store. He said he was related to him. I told him I could appreciate that based on his prices. He thought that was funny. I was serious.

I also met Dan and Cindy Schmechel who own The Smoke Break. Cindy was born in Benton but then moved to Portland, Oregon. She and Dan moved back when their little girl was deathly ill and Cindy wanted to be near family. As it turned out, all is well with their daughter and they decided to stay in what they call the redneck town of Benton, although they both claim to have the “best customers in the world”. They have only been open about 6 months and have been received very well. Cough, cough….I guess there is a need for their product too. I was also given some great advice about seeing the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Dan promised I would not be disappointed.  I liked those guys.
I couldn’t stop myself from going into Toot’s Barber Shop just to check it out. It is in an old building and something told me there was a story there. Toot’s Barber Shop really has a Toots. He is not an old Toot like the building but a Toot never the less. He’s the Toot cutting hair. Turns out his dad was Big Toot and he was Little Toot, but when he got bigger than his dad, he became Big Toot. You see the confusion that might cause for all the people who weren’t sure which Big Toot you were talking about. So now he is just Toot and he’s the Toot you see. I’m not sure what they call his dad now. Anyway, the barber shop is not that old, although the building and the barber chairs are. The shop used to be a restaurant and a few other things but Toot and his six waiting customer like it just as it is. Toot charges $8.00 a haircut and he only cuts men’s hair. No women. It may have something to do with his wife and three daughters. I didn’t ask, after all he is Big Toot.
Not a lot going on in Benton. Enjoy a few pictures…TC
                                                                 

Indiana/Brown County State Park

Heading out of Bainbridge Ohio west on Rt. 50 towards Indiana you pass many small towns and villages with names like Boston, Hillsboro, Allensburg, Martin and Marathon. A two lane high that shows off the best of what you would imagine the country should look like. As you approach Cincinnati the landscape changes to less than city like traffic, but just enough to let you know you are out of the country. There 50 runs parallel to the Ohio River where the river provides a stopping place for the many barges dropping off chemicals and mining material. I past a Morton Salt factory where there were so many crates of salt that it made my rings tight.

From Cinci into Indiana is country again. I remained on 50 to 65 north to 46 west to Brown County State Part. The largest in Indiana, Brown County Park was built in 1929. Don’t be impressed with my knowledge of the facts. I’m reading them off the brochure.
Backing up into space 109 was a bear, but the rest was easy. No electric and no water here, but I was aware of that a prepared.
It’s about 7:30 P M and the sun is setting this Wednesday evening. As it is early in camping season, I am almost alone except for a couple of folks tent camping about 150 feet from me. It is so peacefully quiet that all you hear is the wind and a bird or two. A few people along the way and a friend or two have asked me if I am lonely traveling, being, my myself. Another friend told me I would find out things about myself that I didn’t know. I am not lonely and what I have found out is that I don’t mind being alone, at least for now. Just a thought.
Nashville is a nice town, small with mostly shopping downtown. I didn’t shop. Instead I got an oil change at Brown County Tire and Auto. I met the owners Ray and Debra Guffey. Debra is running for town Sheriff. Gook luck Debbie. I had a great Buffalo burger at the Pine Room Tavern. Gerrard, who I met at the IGA Market said it was the best in town. He was right. The Pine Room Tavern has been in business since 1950 though, so they have had some time getting it right...

The park is beautiful and today I will do some mountain biking.

Enjoy some pictures. TC…

I can't keep away from those wineries!

Ohio/Pike Lake State Park

When I left West Virginia for Ohio I was looking forward to seeing another part of the country, but even more so, I was looking forward to be traveling on Rt. 50, my chosen route across country. You may recall Tom Brokaw (SP?) did a show about Rt. 50 and the everyday Americans that live along its borders. From what I had heard it was an old connection from east to west, not dissimilar from Rt. 66, and very scenic. Traveling the rest of 68 west to 79 south to 50 out of West Virginia was all scenic and beautifully mountainous. But it paled in comparison to 50 itself. Rt. 50, at least coming out of West Virginia and 200 miles into Ohio, is a combination of the Pacific Coast Highway without the water, the Blue Ridge Parkway except with even more incredible views that leave your mouth gaping and you laughing out loud with the sheer beauty of the scenery. (No Pictures while driving) Going through many of the small towns though gave me a contrary feeing. It is clear that the America you read and hear about is evident in Southern Ohio. Many “closed” signs and boarded up stores prevail. I was wondering as I was driving through if some of the people, young people, on the steps and porches of houses, know about the rest of the America that most of us know about? Someone just recently told me that Americans don’t know how good they have it. I guess not all Americans. The phrase “The mine shut down”, seems to be pretty common in West Virginia and Ohio too, so says Charlie and Ramona, camping acquaintances.
I arrived at Pike Lake State Park after a seven mile ride through the woods to find a magnificent facility in a valley setting. After choosing a great site near a stream I set up. Set up is starting to become routine. Dinner, some wine and a cigar, while watching a Fleetwood Mac Video, finished my evening. For those of you who called and for those who I promised I would call back, sorry, no service up here in them thar hills. I am writing this on Sunday morning April 11, 2010 after breakfast just for the record, with the hope of getting this post and my West Virginia post entered as soon as possible, so if you see the same dates on two posts, you will know why. Spock out.
I went into Bainbridge this morning so I can get cellular service and post my W. VA. entry, and to try and find a welder to come out and reposition my anti sway bar that I added on in Greenbelt Maryland. Turns out you find good things when you least expect them. I was directed to a Mennonite farm house that was actually T.A. Weaver Lumber MFG., Manufacturers and Suppliers of Log Homes. Rodney, the owner, gave me Steve Sheets phone number and Steve will be out this afternoon to take care of the welding. But the point is, that the ride through the mountains was spectacular and unexpected, especially when I came across JRS General Store and Farm Market. Lots of small farms that supply many local such markets, I am told, mostly Mennonite too. It reminded me of Lancaster County and the Amish.
I guess Forest was right when he said “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get”. Next stop is the largest state park in Indiana, Brown County State Park in the town of Nashville, In. where my darling daughter will overnight my new tag for the pop that she received in NC. What a sweet girl……Love you honey.
Enjoy some pictures. TC…
Post Script: Steve came out to my campsite and did a great job of welding my sway bar the right way. He asked if $35.00 was ok. I told him $45.00 sounded better. He was pleased and so was I. It probably would have cost $100.00 or more in Florida.

West Virginia/Chestnut Ridge Park

I wish I could sufficiently describe the beauty of the mountains and small towns in the valleys along the Cumberland Gap on Rt. 68 of western Maryland and West Virginia. But I find myself searching for words that I know will not do justice to its beauty. I believe the song writer and singer John Denver had it right when he wrote and sang about West Virginia being “almost heaven”. From what I have seen so far, I can honestly say that West Virginia is one of the most beautiful states I have ever be in.
Checking into Chestnut Ridge Regional Park and Campground was a snap, and Bruce the full time attendant gave me what I consider to be a choice site. After an easy set up that evening I enjoyed a campfire and a few rum and cokes. Camping is fun…..
Today I visited the Forks of Cheat Winery in Morgantown. A small winery owned and family operated for many years. I had the pleasure of meeting Darryl DeGripp who was kind enough to let me sample the products of the winery and also give me a tour of the distillery, and it’s history. Lots of fun and very good local wine. I left with a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from 2007 that was quite reasonable in price and very good. The label is so pretty, I hate to open it. But I will! The cat you ask? She attached herself to me. I am usually a dog lover, but I must say this cat was a cutie. Cutie cat, cutie cat, say that fast a few times.
On the way back to camp I stopped at the local general store, The Mountaineer, I had two chili dogs and a coke. Not my usual fare, but I couldn’t resist given the aroma and the reasonable price. I finished it off with a home made raisin filled sugar cookie. Let me tell you this; they know how to bake in West Virginia. If you want anything from a shot gun, fire wood, groceries, or a cheap lunch, visit the Mountaineer and see Mary or Kim, two cutie cats in their own right.
I am sitting in my camper now watching the rain fall off my awning. We were scheduled for rain and gusty winds along with a cold front tonight and early tomorrow. I brought in my electric space heater from the car top carrier for tonight so as not to use propane for my furnace. I am hoping it does the trick along with my securing of the awning that is moaning in the wind. Gulp!!!
If it clears up tomorrow I will head into Morgantown to see what’s what. It is supposed to be a great little “walk about” kind of town with some neat stuff to see. Rain still falling.
Friday morning and it has stopped raining, but it is also 38 degrees according to the national weather service. The space heater did a good job, but I also turned on the furnace this morning for a little while to get the chill out of the air. Surprisingly the pop up does a good job for a modified tent. I couldn’t imagine doing this in a tent as I thought I would initially.
Morgantown is the home of West Virginia University. It is an old town with brick buildings that has the old time electric wire crossing this way and that. Lots of college looking people walking the streets and little store fronts painted in bright colors selling coffee, sandwiches, books and the usual stuff college kids need. I liked the town, but not the pot holed streets. I guess economics has affected Morgantown too.
I should be leaving West Virginia tomorrow headed for Ohio and the Pine Lake State Park in Bainbridge. West Virginia is not what you may have heard about in all the stereotype comments and jokes about brothers marrying sisters or people with no teeth. On the contrary, I have met some very friendly, good natured and helpful people. They had teeth too. It wouldn’t be a bad place to settle down in. If one were looking for that. Enjoy some pictures. TC…

Camping at Greenbelt National Park/Washington D.C.

I couldn’t have planned a better first camping experience. Greenbelt National Park is located just 13 miles from Washington D. C. in Greenbelt, Maryland and is  only 2.5 miles to the Metro station at College Park. If you have never ridden the metro, you would find it to be fast and efficient, and after a little explanation by a friendly passerby, very user friendly. After purchasing a Smart Card you can board different color lines to various parts of the city and attractions. The helpful pocket guide makes that easier too.
Greenbelt campground is wooded and although in the city, you get the feeling of being deep in the forest. Each campsite provides BBQ station, picnic table, fire ring but no electric or water hook up. My maiden voyage was a perfect test for dry camping. The pop up does have water storage, frig and furnace that runs off of propane or deep cycle battery and stove. My air conditioner was not needed, but on a few chilly mornings, I was thankful for the furnace, which did a great job.
Meeting people is part of this journey and my camping decision. The camp hosts at Greenbelt, Michael and Cheryl Sullivan became instant friends. They shared my fire and I shared their wine and we all shared hours of conversation. We will keep in touch and I will tell them about the mountains going to my next stop to West Virginia along route 68. I also met a great couple Jeff and Carrie, who were traveling in a 1983 Volkswagen hippie van, very cool and very cool people. Carrie shared her very impressive weight loss story and has devoted her life to telling others who are over weight. Carrie lost over 150 pounds, and I must say, looks quite good.
What can be said about out nation's capital that hasn’t been said before? It’s an amazing place that celebrates the red, white and blue with tributes to all that is American in its monuments, museums, and memorials.
Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Navy Museum, National Museum of American History (Smithsonian) Fords Theatre and Museum, Chinatown, FBI Building and the added pleasure of witnessing the Cherry Blossoms were just some of what I enjoyed, plus the excitement of just walking around with back pack adorned and really loving Washington, a great town that I really only scratched the surface of. Next stop Morgantown, West Virginia at the Chestnut Ridge Regional Park and Campground. Enjoy some pictures. TC…