Hampton Inn Youngstown-North

... Chicken n' Dumplin's, mashed potato, green beens, and biscuits – mmmmmmmm. The gift shop attached was all decorated up with gorgeous Christmas themed decorations other lovely 'country' style things – I resisted buying too many things, just a couple of Christmas ornaments & a gift for a friend back home.

Going to stay in Youngstown, Ohio tonight since we lost an hour ...

Made it through Pennsylvania by dinnertime...staying in Youngstown, Ohio ad doing Math with Mara, bathtime with girlies...off to Indianapolis tomorrow. We'll stay there with my friend Laura. Song of the Day...Lovegame..you should see Dessa dance to this one. A total crackup.

Jane was looking forward to this visit if only not to make any decisions and to verify that Lake Erie isn't frozen year round. She also discovered Mesopotamia in one of the guide books we checked out of the library which stoked her curiousity. More than curious, intrigued, so off to Amish country we must go.

Mesopotamia is a sweet village encircling the commons. It was first settled in 1799, with the first log cabin constructed in 1801 ...

... showing the coming storms for the afternoon. I rode alone and was in long before the luggage made it so I went swimming in the indoor pool ( lots of them in these northern hotels) the water had to be 85 or better it was like a hot tub! It is strange that today was a light day we only climbed 4,000 feet and the mileage was only 93. Before the trip that would have been an epic! Almost time for route rap, and dinner!

Erie, Pa today. I enjoy the ride out on the Presque Isle Peninsula. Took the scenic boat tour and went out into the lake. The last time I went, it was too rough to go out on the lake, so we stayed in the bay. I found the bay ride to be more interesting than today's tour. I ...

I judged this place too quickly. It is a nice campground, just not where I'm parked. Apparently, this area right by the lake is where the locals come to play on the weekend. I walked around a couple miles or so and still didn’t see all of the camping area. Lots of wooded and quiet areas with ************e around.

I went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ...

... think the only empty slot in the whole place was mine. Maybe by Sunday afternoon things will calm down a little. I liked my private spot on the side of the road last night better.

I considered just heading out looking for a boon dock, but I’ve driven almost 500 miles today. That’s enough.

I had a wonderful time with all my old friends from Hiram. The college looks amazing with so many new buildings and renvations! I really missed everyone and it was great to see them. Gabi & Bri spent one last lazy day at home before we hit the road at the crack of dawn tomorrow.

Lisa

This is about a trip that hasn't happened yet. About August of 2009 I will ride my BMW k75 from home (Cortland, Ohio) to Connecticut and then upward to Maine and then down the east coast to Florida. Connecticut to vist the Mystic Seaport Museum which I haven't seen since about 1959, Main just because and Florida to visit oldest daughter and grandkids. I may stop off somewhere to visit an aircraft carrier if I can find one.

... to spontaneity. It will include the flat, flat, flatness of Minnesota and the transition into the Ohio-lookingness of the states to follow. We didn't see any reason to stop on the way out, but who knows... So hopefully we will find the proper internet access along the way, hook you up with some reading material when you're supposed to be working, and give ourselves something to do after several hours of driving each day. Fun.