18. Indiana and Ohio

Morning of Thursday, Sept. 26th, drove 3 hours South and East to Northwest Indiana (just east of Chicago), on the shores of Lake Michigan. Visited the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, where I rode my bicycle around for 2 hours, then did an hour hike. It was quiet, warm and real nice, just what I needed after driving through Chicago traffic.

Lake Michigan Beach

Old farmstead walked past on hike

Spent the night for free in nearby Michigan City at the Blue Chip casino's parking lot. Had dinner and watched football, and played a little craps.  Next day drove 1 hour East to Elkhart, IN where I visited the RV Museum and Hall of Fame. The old motorhomes were cool to see.

Drove East on the small country roads as this was the heart of Amish country.  Note the girl on her bike in the left turn lane and the buggies on the other side of the road.

That evening drove another hour East and spent the night in a nice city park in Fort Wayne. Next morning, drove 3 hours South to Dayton, Ohio where I visited the National Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force base. This is one of the largest aviation museums' in the world, but I think I am overdosed on aviation museums as I wasn't too impressed.

That evening, drove 1 hour East to Columbus, where I stayed in the Hollywood Casino parking lot.  Great timing, as Ohio State was playing Wisconsin that evening, so had a great time watching the game with lots of rabid fans.  Did not gamble much as it was Saturday night and the table minimums were high.

Next morning, drove 3 hours Northeast to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, between Cleveland and Akron. Stayed for 2 nights in the town of Stow's city park campground and used the scooter to drive around the park.  Was overcast and rainy so didn't do too many hikes. The park was OK but nothing like national parks out West.

Covered Bridge (reproduction)

 Brandywine Falls

At one of the farm villages in the park

Tuesday morning, October 1st, said goodbye to Ohio and drove 3 hours East past Pittsburgh to Johnstown, PA, where I went to university.