On Friday the 13th of July 2018 I started off on a very ambitious vacation. I had only crossed the great Mississippi River once before in my life, and that had only been for 3 short hours. I then scurried back towards the safety of the east coast. This trip though would take me through a dozen new states, show me scenery that pictures can’t duplicate, and introduce me to people that I couldn’t have imagined.

Back to the title though, I spent the first night of the journey at the Chippewa Creek Gorge.

Chippewa Creek Gorge Star Trails on July 13th 2018

I arrived well after dark and had no clue of what there was around the gorge for places to set up the GoPro for an overnight star picture. I wandered off into the darkness and only found trees and more trees. I could hear the creek running below me but couldn’t see well enough with the flashlight to venture down to it. I headed in the direction of a road I could hear and I found a parking lot with a sliver of open sky. Far from ideal, I was tired enough to say f*** it and set the camera up. I was able to wake up, grab the GoPro and edit the hundreds of fotos into the picture above before I heard from my friend Pete that he was awake and ready for a morning run if I wanted to join. On the run with Pete and his wife, between conversation, my thoughts kept drifting towards where I was headed after we finished the run. Being in a van with only a deadline of when I needed to reach Las Vegas, my options were completely open. I had never given it a thought until that run, but my grandfather lived 3 hours to the south and I hadn’t seen him in a few years. I knew instantly that I HAD to make that my next checkpoint.

I didn’t have my grandfathers address but knew the location well enough that I figured I could find it. I was right, I found it, but he lives in a duplex and I couldn’t remember which door. No biggie, I have a 50/50 shot. I park and approach the house doing a mental version of eenie meenie miney mo when my grandfather walks out of his front door, tea in hand to enjoy his beverage on the front porch. PERFECT! I walk up and say ‘Hello’ and sit down at the empty chair next to him. My grandfather, who has recently been diagnosed with dementia, said hello back and we enjoyed some small talk. I had a feeling he didn’t recognize me, even though he was being very gracious considering a stranger just wandered up and started talking to him. After a few minutes of conversation he told me ‘I just realized who you are.’ To me this was a very cool moment. I could almost envision the memory machine working the rust off a couple of the gears and kick into action.

We had an amazing afternoon. We went out to lunch and he recalled stories of his military days working in the Canal Zone in Panama and the origins of him and my grandmother meeting. I always knew my grandfather a very straitlaced, stern man. So to get into some ‘guy talk’ with him was a surprise and completely unexpected. When I left, he told me that it would be a day that he would never forget. While I know Dementia might have more of a say on that than him, I know that it’ll be one I will always remember.

July 14th 2018 A view from Tu-Endie-Wei State Park in Point Pleasant, WV

After heading out from visiting my grandfather I headed further south to try and escape Ohio. I had brief success as I made my way through Point Pleasant, WV. I had no Mothman sightings so I crossed and bridge and DAMMIT! I was back in Ohio. I have nothing against Ohio, but this is supposed to be my Great American Adventure see the country and I cant get out of the state that is 2 hours from where I live!

Another night where I had no clue where I was going to spend the night well past dark. I like scoping out a camping spot while it’s still light, but I hate wasting time that could be spent driving… I only had a couple nights on this trip where I was able to find this balance. I was venturing through the Wayne National Forest looking for any nook that looked remotely inviting. I found a parking lot at a horse trailhead… another instance of being tired enough to say f*** it. (This is a constant theme)

July 14th Star Trails looking south over the Wayne National Forest in Ohio

I set the GoPro up directly in front of the van… again tired = f*** it. Too many cars and the picture gets ruined… Just a couple and the foreground get lit up with no effort on my part. Luckily this was a night where I had the Goldilocks amount of cars. I woke up ready to bid this state good riddance! I have 2 weeks to explore the country and I’m 3 days in Ohio?? WTF?!

Settle down, I saw a cool looking lake with a trail around the perimeter on G-word Maps. I have to check it out. I took my pup Minnie out on a run around the lake while Lugnut hung out and kept the Ruby Tue safe. It was just short of an 8 mile round trip. As much as I wanted to get out of Ohio, there was no denying this was a cool trail! There was rock outcroppings, runnable hills, and even a quarter mile dock to round out the lap… or start it if you go counterclockwise.

I only did the run to get some cardio in before a day of driving, but I ended up finding a hidden gem in a small corner of this countries vast public lands. Heading out after the run I was able to buzz the top of Kentucky and cruise through Louisville. Make a stop in the Hoosier National Forest for some lunch and crash at Lincoln State Park in Indiana.

I spent 3 days frustrated that I was STILL IN OHIO, but at the same time enjoyed every minute of it. I’m not sure that is a word for that feeling, actually I really hope there isn’t. I think it’s something unique to Ohio. I know many Cleveland Brown fans that spend the entire game frustrated, but love every moment.

Thank you for letting me bum around your state for far too long Ohio. I’ll be back to wish I wasn’t very soon.

Experiences

July 13th - 15th 2018 Ohio is bigger than you think.