Before our next destination, we spent the night at Fireland Winery. We enjoyed the band while we sipped red wine and snacked on a charcuterie array. This week, we stayed at a Boondockers Welcome. These hosts allow RVer’s a place to stay on their private property for up to five days. Our host, David, graciously provided us with a dozen eggs from his chickens while we were there.

His home was a short distance from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It is the only national park that started its beginnings as a national recreation area. In 2022, it was the ninth most visited park, putting it ahead of Glacier National Park.

We hiked two trails while there. The first was Brandywine Gorge Falls. It was a great hike to the falls as the water roared and cascaded down the steep incline. It was a beautiful sight on this early morning hike. I never tire of seeing waterfalls.

The second hike was on the Ledges Trail. At the trailhead a wedding ceremony was being performed so we strolled up ahead so as not to be intrusive on the special moment. Once the ceremony was complete we began our hike. This hike was unique as it had varying ledge structures adorning the trail. The ledges were eerie due to the stone’s dark colors, spotted moss-covered areas, and the low light levels from the dense tree canopy.

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We stopped at a Harvest Host for two nights before heading to Ohio. Our stop was in Shipshewana, IN at the Menho-Hof Amish Cultural Center. A tour of this facility was significant in enlightening the three divisions of the Amish culture and their beliefs. They built this structure to educate and have others understand their way of life. The Amish community rallied together and made the outside structure of the building in one week without using any nails. It is genuinely remarkable and worth visiting if you are nearby.

On to Marblehead. Just my luck, there were two lighthouses. One in Port Clinton and the other in Marblehead. The Marblehead lighthouse was a wonderful visit during daylight but while we were there, the blue supermoon occurred, and we made a trip back at night. We got some great pictures, but the one I wanted where the moon was above the lighthouse would have had us there till 3:00 a.m., which was a little past our bedtime.

The next day, we rode almost 10 miles to hop on the ferry to visit Kelley Island. It was a beautiful day for a ride. We stopped to see the Glacier Grooves and visited Kelley’s Island Wine Company Vineyard on our way back. With a glass of wine and a charcuterie board, we spent the next hour basking in the sun and enjoying the atmosphere. We rode back to the campground to enjoy a campfire and prepare for our next destination.

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Holland is best known for the magnificent tulips adorning its city. Unfortunately, we missed the Festival of Tulips which celebrates their Dutch heritage. We must revisit from late April to May to see the millions of tulips proudly displaying their beauty.

We rode our bikes to Holland State Park where the Big Red Lighthouse is a main attraction. The beach was filled with beachgoers enjoying the day and where colorful kites could be seen dancing in the sky. On our way back from the park we stopped to climb the stairs to get an aerial view of the bay and Lake Erie. We couldn’t help but stop and admire the stunning sailboats gliding along the waterway.

The next day, we arose early and visited the best farmers market I had ever seen. This was a highlight for me. From fresh produce to beautiful flowers, best of all being there during blueberry season. The sweetest blueberries ever. We strolled down the main street, stopped in a gluten-free bakery, and treated myself to an oversized chocolate cookie. Yum!

The highlight of our morning was a visit to Kilwins to purchase a caramel apple. If there is a Kilwins, Mitch knows we are entering the store for my peanut-crusted caramel apple. However, we got more than a caramel apple. The shop owner was making fudge, and he graciously instructed us on how fudge is made. We walked out with an educational experience instead of just a caramel apple.

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Upon our arrival, we were put into a queue to get our water for the week. The parking lot was packed as it was a beautiful day to enjoy the sun and sand. While this park is unique because the campground is connected to the beach, it also has tight spots, making it challenging to get into and out of with our size rig.

The Ensign Regatta was being held the same week, and we enjoyed watching the sailboat parade leisurely through the inlet onto Lake Michigan. That afternoon the winds kicked up, and the rainstorms made an appearance. It continued through the night until the following day. It was a heck of a storm, and the rough surf kept beachgoers away.

It was an excellent time to visit the town. A small farmers market was happening that day. The city has an annual sculpture walk, and our favorite was the Sea Maiden, created out of shiny steel. There were many small art galleries, restaurants, and shops. The Pentwater Yacht Club was abuzz with activity as they hosted the regatta.

Fortunately, our departure was a lot easier than our arrival. Mitch was happy the wheels made it through the sand without much fanfare.

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