I left Cherry Hill Campground on a cloudy cool morning, grateful that the day before had been nice for my trip to Niagara Falls. I started on some local routes but one look at the gas prices (up $0.20 from the day before) and the lack of services along the roads less traveled, I decided to abandon my ideas of traveling these roads. I programed Google Maps to take me west to my next campground in the Cleveland area. The weather worsened over the next hour and it rained for the next four. I arrived at Willow Lake Park campground at about 2 PM in the pouring rain. The lady at registration asked, " Where's your RV? That's the kind of site you signed up for." I said, "This is my RV, I am truck camping." "Well we just opened a week ago and all the sites are wet," she said gruffly as she handed me my mirror tag for the site. "Oh and good luck in that RV," she snickered as I was headed out the door.
When I got to my site, which was delineated by and electric box in the middle of a big wet field, I had to use 4x4 just to back in. Still raining, I pitched my privacy tent and discouraged by the weather I climbed into my truck (wishing it really was an RV). Dinner was tuna out of a pouch.
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A muddy Site
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The next morning was clear, windy and cold with temps in the 40's. Went to the bath house (100 yards from the truck) to take a shower. Cold showers were free, hot cost $0.50 for 5 minutes. Went back to the truck for quarters. Got the business of a shower done and standing there dripping wet, I realized I had forgotten my towel. So I had to use the tshirt from the day before. Not making a very good start here.
Off to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A wonderful place all though not really what I had expected. Learned a lot about a few of my favorite bands and the genesis of rock. Six floors of exhibits and I think I spent close to three hours there.
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Michael Jackson
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Robbie Robertson Guitar ca. 1965
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Spectacular Architecture
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A sketch by yours truly
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Spent another very cold night in the campground. The following day I headed to the Cuyahoga National Park. Did a beautiful 5 mile hike into a place called the Brandywine Falls. It was an interesting walk along the tow path of the old Ohio canal and lock system. Then up to the falls through a beautiful forest. Some parts of the trail were quite muddy because of recent rains. A train tour of the park was only running half the distance because winter storms had washed out part of the tracks. So I didn't get a chance to take that.
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Brandywine Falls
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Brandywine Falls
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Lock 32
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A final cold and blustery night at the campground. Broke camp on a beautifully clear day with no wind. Time to head further West to the Indiana Dunes National Park!
