Tuesday
Don was looking forward to learning about steelmaking at the Museum of Labor and Science in Youngstown but was disappointed that they were closed on Tuesdays. So we went back to bicycling mode on the GPS and enjoyed more midwestern scenery - farmland (more corn and soybeans plus some alfalfa) and old brick-building towns. There are a lot of huge modern homes on the outskirts and quite a few with for sale signs.
We found ourselves in Bluffton for night and that is a going town. Don said it reminded him of a college town and then we saw the University. Yep, he's right again. Ruth developed a great need to visit the Dollar Store after a regrettable Mexican dinner. It was still 81 degrees outside at 8:30 PM. Don spent most of the time outside talking with one of the older clerks named Yvonne. He now knows where her husband Bill works, how many kids, grand kids and where her second job is (she runs the elementary school food program in Findlay, the next city over).
Wednesday
Our last full day of driving. We stopped at Amish Acres to use the rest room and Don found a new best friend (Herb) who has been full-time RVing since 1998. He sold his house in Oregon, and recently decided his 38-ft RV needed painting. He had a quote for $23,000 in Portland, but someone at the Salton Sea, where they stayed last spring, said he'd do it for less. So, on their way to Maine to see their daughter, they are getting the rig painted here in Indiana. I do not know how many grandchildren they have.
We spent the night in a Microtel in Michigan City and wanted to drive north to see Lake Michigan. We didn't make any turns and suddenly realized we were headed south away from where we wanted to be. So we backtracked and tried again. We ended up at an inlet and were commenting on the rusty bridge that looked unused. Then a shrill siren (yow, wouldn't want to spend the night in the motel here). Then the bridge smoothly and silently rotated to allow a train to cross the river. It's a different world here.
Thursday, a.m.
Time to head back to Chicago (42 miles from Michigan City). Should be able to make it by noon. And we did, even avoiding the interstates and toll roads (but not the toll bridge $3.50). Don enjoyed going through all the industrial areas and we were impressed with all the brick homes that had been abandoned and cities looking pretty sad.
We are currently in the Metro Lab waiting for our call to the train.
Time to go.
Don was looking forward to learning about steelmaking at the Museum of Labor and Science in Youngstown but was disappointed that they were closed on Tuesdays. So we went back to bicycling mode on the GPS and enjoyed more midwestern scenery - farmland (more corn and soybeans plus some alfalfa) and old brick-building towns. There are a lot of huge modern homes on the outskirts and quite a few with for sale signs.
We found ourselves in Bluffton for night and that is a going town. Don said it reminded him of a college town and then we saw the University. Yep, he's right again. Ruth developed a great need to visit the Dollar Store after a regrettable Mexican dinner. It was still 81 degrees outside at 8:30 PM. Don spent most of the time outside talking with one of the older clerks named Yvonne. He now knows where her husband Bill works, how many kids, grand kids and where her second job is (she runs the elementary school food program in Findlay, the next city over).
Wednesday
Our last full day of driving. We stopped at Amish Acres to use the rest room and Don found a new best friend (Herb) who has been full-time RVing since 1998. He sold his house in Oregon, and recently decided his 38-ft RV needed painting. He had a quote for $23,000 in Portland, but someone at the Salton Sea, where they stayed last spring, said he'd do it for less. So, on their way to Maine to see their daughter, they are getting the rig painted here in Indiana. I do not know how many grandchildren they have.
We spent the night in a Microtel in Michigan City and wanted to drive north to see Lake Michigan. We didn't make any turns and suddenly realized we were headed south away from where we wanted to be. So we backtracked and tried again. We ended up at an inlet and were commenting on the rusty bridge that looked unused. Then a shrill siren (yow, wouldn't want to spend the night in the motel here). Then the bridge smoothly and silently rotated to allow a train to cross the river. It's a different world here.
Thursday, a.m.
Time to head back to Chicago (42 miles from Michigan City). Should be able to make it by noon. And we did, even avoiding the interstates and toll roads (but not the toll bridge $3.50). Don enjoyed going through all the industrial areas and we were impressed with all the brick homes that had been abandoned and cities looking pretty sad.
We are currently in the Metro Lab waiting for our call to the train.
Time to go.
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