Back in the USA

8/19/2018 I broke camp this morning to begin my homecoming with feelings that were juxtaposed between the melancholy for my Canadian departure and the eagerness for my return to the USA. During my retreat drive I recollected the entirety of my Canadian Maritimes expedition, vis-à-vis the people I met, the history explored, the cuisine consumed and the various supplementary activities. Recalling the most notable elements of this Canadian adventure: I vastly enjoyed observing the extreme fluctuations of the Bay of Fundy tides and my study of the exceptionally significant historically artifacts in Nova Scotia and its Cape Breton. But overall there was something about Prince Edward Island that made me feel comfortable and more laid-back. It may have been the farmland, the rolling terrain or the ocean view that was always just around the corner or over the crest of that next knoll. Altogether the people in the Maritimes were most courteous and accommodating, particularly Dave Burgess and his wife who took me in for a night to feed and politically debrief me. Who knew there are Conservative Canadians? Unrealized by me prior to entering Canada was the inflated cost of everything, especially the fuel, plus the food and the camping were exceptionally high, additionally there is an all-encompassing 15% tax. While at the US Border Station, I revealed to the Customs Officer my astonishment over the high cost of goods in Canada whose observant reply was, “they have to pay for that free medical somehow”. 

I’m glad to be back in the United States of America. 

8/20/2018 After yesterday’s crossing of the border I found and setup in the Houlton, Maine Walmart parking lot. I woke early this morning then walked across the street to the Dunkin’ Donuts for a cup of coffee. Prior to entering Canada, and leaving my KOA campsite in Bangor, Maine, I made a reservation for my return trip at that campground. And unable to check in prior to 1:00pm, and since it was only a 1.5 hour drive, I took my time leaving the Houlton Walmart. Once on the road, I felt at ease driving to Bangor with the realization that I was back on my home turf and now not having to convert everything from metric. With one stop for lunch, I arrived straightaway then checked into the Bangor KOA about 2:00pm. I arranged my camp site, including the trailer, then set about preparing for a run to the laundromat. Laundry completed, and on the way back to the campground I stopped to wash off the red mud remnants of Canada. I reckon I am now ready for that there [sic] homeward west journey. 

8/21/2018 Today was maintenance day. The truck needed the oil changed and the trailer needed propane. After accomplishing both tasks I returned to the mobile residence for dinner. Jack, the guy from Lynchburg, Tennessee, and I had a steak purchased at a small butcher  shop in Sunnyside, Prince Edward Island along with potatoes also from Prince Edward Island.  After dinner, I closed out the day by participating in the RV residence’s Bingo gathering that was organized by our KOA campground Host. 

8/22/2018 This morning I left my KOA campsite in Bangor, Maine headed for Buffalo, New York, a 690 mile journey. The 475 miles I drove today was an uneventful 10 hours stopping separately for lunch and then fuel. About 9:00pm I stopped to camp in the very large parking lot of the Walmart in Herkimer, New York. 

8/23/2018 I took my time leaving the Walmart RV parking lot in Herkimer, NY but drove the 3 hour, 195 miles without stopping to Darien Lakes State Park in Darien Center, New York. This park, just east of Buffalo and about an hour southeast of the Niagara Falls, is a level open, thinly occupied campground with few trees. I completed my campsite establishment process then planned for tomorrow’s area exploration.

8/24/2018 I went over the Niagara Falls today and lived. It all started by driving to the extremely commercial and very crowded Niagara Falls State Park. Arriving at the Park, I eventually located street parking within walking distance that didn’t cost $20 or more to utilize. My walk to the Falls took me through the very commercial district populated by the abundant novelty shops and restaurants of which were, most surprisingly, overwhelmed by Indian (not Native American) food. I first walked to the Bridal and American Falls where below I saw people exploring the Cave of the Winds. I too wanted to partake in that diversion but not bad enough to stand in line for an hour so instead I walked over to the Horseshoe Falls overlook.

With copious amounts of pictures already captured, I still felt unsatisfied with my Niagara Falls review. While returning to my parked truck I suddenly became aware of a constant overhead whirring resonance. Realizing the sound was from sightseer helicopters, I quickly reasoned that an overflight would help satisfy my innermost tourist yearnings. Identifying, calling, and then walking to the Rainbow Helicopter location I discovered a 40 foot raised landing pad in a novelty store parking lot. I walked up to the Rainbow 
Helicopter office, situated below the platform, and purchased my seat aboard the McDonnell Douglas 500E Helicopter Light Observation Helicopter. I was soon aboard the aircraft being whisked into the airspace over the magnificently picturesque Niagara and Horseshoe Falls. Having safely gone over the Niagara Falls, and lived to tell about it, the 10 minute flight ended with my return to the elevated helicopter pad to replace me with the next group of tourists.

 8/25/2018 My adventure today began in Lockport, New York at the final locks of the Erie Canal before its entrance into Lake Erie. Originally completed with the Erie Canal in 1825 then enlarged first in 1862 the pair of north /south "Flight of Five" Locks had a final enlargement in 1918.  The current much larger 1918 configuration was constructed by the New York State Barge Canal project creating Locks 34 & 35 that retained the older southern locks as a spillway. Included to the locks structure is the Lockport Erie Canal Museum, housed in the original power plant, it contains historic photographs, maps, engineering drawings and antique machinery.

Still at the locks, I watched the operation of Locks 34 & 35 open for two kayakers to proceed downstream and allow an Erie Canal Cruise Boat the ability to navigate upstream. It was very interesting watching the operation of these locks. Leaving Lockport I headed for downtown Buffalo to the Anchor Bar. The Anchor Bar is where the original Buffalo wings were created so I had to experience these World famous wings. I enjoyed the Anchor Bar Buffalo wings but I prefer the Coach's Sports Bar & Grill hot wings in Lancaster, California. I then found and inspected the Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin D. Martin House Complex that was built between 1903 and 1905. Now designated the Darwin Martin House National Historic Landmark I found its architecture remarkable, especially for that period.  I then drove past for quick inspection the: Pierce Arrow Motor Car Company manufacturing facilities that had over 1,500,000 square feet of factory buildings, then the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site where Theodore Roosevelt was inaugurated as President of the United States in 1901 following the assassination of President William McKinley. In retrospect I concluded that the Buffalo area has a good deal of historical significance related to the industrial growth of the United States. 

8/26/2018 I did not do too much today. I went to Schwabl's in West Seneca, New York for a “beef on weck” lunch then drove around Buffalo exploring its waterfront area. Returning to my campsite, I began preparing the trailer for tomorrow’s journey to Cleveland, Ohio. 

8/27/2018 I left the Northeastern United States today entering the Midwest, specifically Ohio. It was a 225 mile drive to my new campground requiring over 4 hours to complete. I quickly checked-in at the Mill Creek Recreation Area then settled in my new campsite. My new location is located approximately halfway between Cleveland, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania so I will visit both. 

8/28/2018 I drove to Cleveland today to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. To get to the Hall of Fame I drove past the Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport which is located on the shoreline of Lake Erie and very close to downtown Cleveland. I remember watching on TV the Grand Prix of Cleveland, a CART series Indy car event, at this airport that was last held in 2007. Driving about a mile more I parked along Lake Erie, then took the short walk up to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Even before entering, the sound of rock and roll music was everywhere; once inside it was almost overwhelming. Walking through the Hall brought back so many memories from growing up in the late 60’s through the 1970’s. The museum is arranged by rock era anatomizing the various artists with the detailed roots and history of rock music. Walking through the Hall of Fame, I found former Lancaster resident and high school alumni Frank Zappa's 1995 Hall of Fame induction plaque. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was very interesting and well worth the visit. After leaving the museum I drove around inspecting the city completing my Cleveland visit with an authentic Polish meal in the suburban Village of Parma. The Little Polish Diner “city chicken” dinner, which I devoured, was surprisingly deep fried chicken breast and veal on a stick. And of course it was preceded and complemented by genuine Polish pierogi. Overall I had a very nice day in the “The Heart of Rock & Roll”, Cleveland.

8/29/2018 Today’s destination was Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania a 1.5 hour, 80 mile drive from my campsite. Referred to by a fellow traveler I first drove to Mount Washington for its panoramic city views. From Mount Washington I could see the Monongahela and the Allegheny Rivers merge to create the Ohio River. Driving down from Mount Washington into Pittsburgh, I found the University of Pittsburgh was in full bloom with mobs of students clamoring all over the area creating a huge traffic disorder and limiting parking. Eventually finding a parking spot I walked up past the 1895 built enormous Gothic designed Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall to the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh in which I entered.

The Carnegie Museums, founded by Andrew Carnegie, include the Museum of Art, the Andy Warhol Museum, the Museum of Natural History and the Carnegie Science Center. After entering the principal museum that houses the Museums of Art and Natural History I headed straightaway for the Museum of Art. I spent about four hours in the white marble lined Museum examining some very interesting works dating from 3000 BCE through recent entrees covering all genres. With not much time before closing, I quickly reviewed the Carnegie Museum of Natural History that is one of this country’s largest natural history museums. After rushing through the introductory area of the Natural History Museum entrance, I finished my day in the multiple, very dark, maze like rooms with brightly lit displays highlighting their captivatingly enormous rock and gem collection. 

8/30/2018 This was a very restful day that ended with a grilled ribeye purchased locally. 

8/31/2018 I spent most of this day attempting to locate a campsite close to Dayton, Ohio. I first drove the 200 mile, four hours to the Buck Creek Ohio State Park that is a first come-first served campground only to find it full for this Labor Day weekend. I eventually found the private Rei (pronounced ray) Lakes campground that is almost centered between Dayton and Columbus, Ohio. After setting up I went for supplies at a local establishment ending back at camp making dinner.