2014 – 09 – 24: Day one – Fall colours in Muskoka - Cold Water to Six Mile Lake

From Toronto 
To Six Mile Lake Provincial Park, Georgian Bay 

Scenic route driving distance:  200 KM 

The morning of the first day on a new adventure always seems to evaporate in last minute packing and getting ready.  Organizing the car in preparation of camping requires thought and planning.

Once that is taken care of it is time to get on the open road.  I am pleased to say that this trip started with me leaving the driveway by 11:00 am. 

The first part of my trip was along the old Hwy 27 to Barrie.  I have traveled this route many times and it was delightful to see so many familiar hills and crossroad.

View of the Humber River in Kleinburg Ontario 

I found a little country road that I have never been on before and  just took a turn to explore.  I was a very short road to a dead end but there was a delightful old bridge making for a great first photo opportunity of the trip.

I made a quick stop at Costco in Barrie to top up the gas and get a few groceries.  Then I noticed the tourist information centre for the Muskoka region right next door so I stopped in.  I was able to get a really great map of the area and additional information for the Muskoka region.

My first stop was in the town of Coldwater where I bought a late lunch snack, fresh made poutine at a roadside snack stop. 

I walked around enjoying the old town charm. Many of the historic buildings remain well maintained and welcoming inviting tourist business.  The Old Mill, on the Coldwater River is now being used as a restaurant.

The bridges over the Coldwater River are all decorated with flower baskets offering wonderful contrasting colours to the scenery.

I am so thrilled that the weather forecast for today was accurate…warm and sunny, it is such a pleasure to be walking out doors. 

I look forward to each roadside stop opportunity to get out and enjoy the day.  

Heading north on highway 17, also known as Big Chute Road, I stopped to enjoy the character of old barns.

I also had to get out and see this beaver lodge and the fall colours reflecting in the clear waters. 

Severn Falls boat launch 

My next stop was in the cottage area. Being late September, and a week day, it was peaceful and quiet. 

I arrived at Big Chute Marine Railway just in time to see the railway car for boats being brought out of the water for winter storage.

A short hike brought me to the shores of the Severn waterway where I enjoyed the lovely view of the late afternoon sun shimmering on the water.

Continuing on I found another delightful spot to stop at the side of the road to enjoy the beauty of fall colours. 

Swimming area at Six Mile Lake Provincial Park 

By now it was 5 pm and so I decided to head to Six Mile Lake Provincial Park to set up camp for the evening.   

I spent the last part of the daylight hours walking about and enjoying the beauty of the lake.  

I noticed this monarch butterfly feeding on the clover in the fading light of the end of the day.

I passed some time enjoying some knitting and some Sudoku, before cooking my dinner and last rays of the setting sun brought a chill to the air. 

My final task of the day was carefully packing up all food items for the night.  It always pays to pay attention to details when in bear country.

Snug in my car bed I spent some time on the computer working on notes and pictures of the past day.  The shorter days are already noticeable, I even have some reading reading time before lights out!

Renate Dundys Marrello

2014 – 09 – 24

more photos of the day
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2014 – 09 – 08 and 09: Day 48-49 - Road Trip Across the USA - Route 6 east and heading north toward home

From Willoughby Ohio to To Corry Pennsylvania
Distance  traveled  125 miles

Near Chardon Ohio

My morning drive was through some more farmlands, but the rolling hills and the many stands of trees were a clear change from the plains of the previous days.   I also started to see the first signs of the coloured foliage of fall. 

Hartsgrove Ohio 

The towns also started to have a more eastern feeling to them as well.

Typical view during this part of my drive was the rolling hills and wood lots interspersed with farm crops and farmsteads. 

View of the Grand River near Rome Ohio 

Near Rome there was a scenic stop at a canoe launch point on the Grand River. 

The golden colours of ragweed are another reminder of impending fall.

View of Lake Roaming Rock 

Crossing the bridge at the south end of Lake Roaming Rock offered a brief view toward a scenic recreation spot near New Lyme.

Park in Andover Ohio 

 

Towns like Andover have that forgotten by time charm. 

Shortly after crossing in Pennsylvania I came across   Pymatuning State Park.  It was lovely to stop for a lunch break by the side of the lake.

I love the purple and yellow contrasting colours of the fall wild flowers by the waterfront. 

Abandoned barn near Linesville

Numerous barns in various stages of disintegration made for some pretty scenic stops along the road.  There were several detours for construction along this stretch of road but they were all clearly marked. 

Conneaut Lake 

Conneaut Lake, a kettle lake formed during the last ice age, was the central feature in the town of Conneaut Lake. 

There were several interesting plaques about the history of the town in the waterfront park.  They told stories about the Ice House where ice was stored during the winter harvest and the railroad service into town to facilitate the transportation of the ice to nearby towns for consumption during the summer.  This business flourished until the introduction of refrigeration in the 1920's. 

Bridge near Saegertwon 

North from the town of Meadville Pennsylvania, route 6 follows the meandering French River. 

Bridge near Venango 

Several truss bridges along this stretch of road look so similar to each other that I can imagine that they were constructed during the same time period and possibly even by the same crew. 

In Cambridge Springs, the vintage railway station offered a scenic change of pace. 

Nearing Union Pennsylvania the rolling hills reminded me that I am getting close to the Allegheny Mountains. 

On the outskirts of Corry, I started to see dairy farms. 

In Corry I stopped for a rest and coffee break and had the debate, to continue of for two more weeks or to head home. 

Part 2 headed home

Corry PA to Buffalo NY

Distance traveled  107 miles 

I decided to head for home.  It was a difficult choice to make because on the one hand I am exhausted from the long daily drive and on the other hand there is still so much to see.

Tipping factor was that this trip I had decided to travel more “free style” without in detail pre-planning.  While being spontaneous offers certain advantages it also has the disadvantage of not being prepared for how long it takes to take in certain sights.  I often found myself running out of time and having to skip a point of interest that I would have taken in if I had planned differently.  I will continue my route 6 east adventure when I have done additional planning.

Sugar Grove Pennsylvania 

So I made my way north via route  957 to Sugar Grove where I took Busti Road through Busti. 

Countryside near Frewsbury 

From there country road 18 took me to route 62 and Frewsbury.  This was a very scenic road and I was enchanted by the rural ambiance. The pretty countryside and pleasant winding roads with almost no traffic made for a very enjoyable drive.

Continuing on 62 north into Buffalo. The sun was setting as I made my way toward Buffalo and by the time I pulled into the parking lot and the gorgeous full moon was just rising above the building rooftops.

I found a parking spot in the far back corner of the parking lot and settled in for the night just as full darkness enveloped my camper car.

more pictures for day 48 link

Part 3:  The final stretch home 

2014 – 09 – 09

From Buffalo NY – through Niagara Falls and home

Distance traveled:  163 kilometers 

Island Park, Williamsville NY

I started my day with a short drive to Williamsville, New York, one of my favorite spots for antique shopping and parks. 

Unfortunately the antique shop was closed so I went for a lovely walk on Island Park.  

Glen Falls, Williamsville NY

Then I crossed the street to Glen Park to revisit the waterfalls and the Old Mill.

Niagara Falls NY - Approaching  the falls

Continuing north I stopped in Niagara Falls NY for gas at Sam’s Club before crossing at the Rainbow Bridge into Niagara Falls Canada.  Here I stopped in to visit my dear friend Sylvia and a delightful catch up chat over delicious home made macaroni and cheese!

My final drive for the day was the old familiar road, the QEW back to Toronto. 

more pictures for day 49 

Renate Dundys Marrello 

2014 - 09 - 09

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2014 – 09 – 07: Day 47 - Road Trip Across the USA - Route 6 East - from farmlands to Lake Erie waterfront

From  Napoleon Ohio - Willoughby Ohio

Distance Traveled:  166 miles

My morning started early with breakfast at the local McCafe.  The ambiance was very pleasant and over breakfast I checked my messages and talked with Mel via Skype. 

Leaving Napoleon and crossing the Maumee River 

Leaving Napoleon I crossed the Maumee River.

Farm lands on the way to Bowling Green 

The morning drive was past more farmlands, and the towns of McClure and Bownling Green.

There were now greater stands of trees and even some forested areas.  

Near Rollersville there was the welcome distraction of a RR crossing.  And then a drive through Helena and Freedmont, a short detour, because route 6 was closed due to construction, through Castalia to arrive in Sundusky.

view from Sandsky Marina 

Finally I am back on the Great Lakes!   Parking by the Marina on Lake Erie was like a home coming, as I realized how much I miss the look of expansive open water.

Cedar Point 

My route became a series of detours along the waterfront of Sundusky because a fundraising marathon had much of the road closed off.  Even my short drive out to explore Cedar Point was beside the marathon corridor.

The afternoon was a lovely drive along the water front and reminiscing to the last time I drove this stretch of road in the spring of 2009.  That was my first experience of a road trip!  I was totally unprepared, just following intuition with the intention of circling Lake Erie.   It was on that trip that I fell in love the concept of traveling the open road.  Something I have been doing ever since. 

Waterfront park in Huron 

This trip I was prepared to stop whenever there was waterfront location available to be explored. 

In Huron I found a waterfront harbour leading out to Lake Erie.

Volunteer Bay had a lovely scenic outlook to Lake Erie

Sherod Park 

Sherod Park had lovely ornamental gardens and a few picnic benches. 

Vermillion 

The hanging flower baskets along main street in Vermillion were quite pretty 

Lorain Lighthouse

From the waterfront park in Lorain there was a spectacular view to the Lorain lighthouse

  

Sheffield Lake - Shell Cove Park 

Sheffield Lake had a lovely public park right on the waterfront with a magnificent view to Lake Erie.

View toward Cleveland from Huntington Beach 

In Bay Village I stopped at Huntington Reservation Park  for an amazing walk along the beach with spectacular views toward Cleveland across the waters of Lake Erie.  The beautiful sunny warm day attracted many people to the beach to enjoy one of the few remaining warm days at the tail end of summer. 

Pier at Bradstreet Landing in Rocky River

In Rocky River I stopped for a walk along the pier at Bradstreet's Landing

Lakewood.  A beautiful stroll to then end of the pier offered many moments to drink in the beauty of the lake and waterfront. 

Entering Cleveland from the west end on route 6 

My original plan was to stay in Lakewood on the west side of Cleveland, but it was only 5 pm and the sun was still bright so I decided to drive through Cleveland to the east side.  

Downtown Cleveland 

Downtown Cleveland is a mixture of new and old architecture as is common in many older cities.

East Cleveland 

However East Cleveland tells a different story.  Here the sadness of disrepair is reflected in beautiful old architecture falling into ruin and I wonder, why does this happen in some areas?

I arrived in Willoughby just as the setting sun dropped below the tree line casting long shadows as I pulled into the parking lot at Motel 6.   After another long day of adventure and enjoying the sights it was pleasant to relax and unwind. 

Renate Dundys Marrello 

2014 – 09 – 07

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