camping

Catching Up – East to West

/ marniesteve / 2 Comments

Time flies when you are on the go! The last time we posted an update we were in New Hampshire, where Steve completed his first of four fall marathons. A lot has happened between then and now, so we’ll try to give an update of the highlights.

From New Hampshire we headed south to Connecticut for Steve to run the Hartford Marathon. It was a great excuse to connect with some very special friends. One day we  drove to the coast to see our friends Alan and Cheryl.

A group of four adults smiling outdoors, holding two small dogs. They are wearing sunglasses and standing on a grassy area with a beach in the background. An American flag is visible, and the sky is clear and sunny.
Alan, Marnie, Cheryl, and Steve + Bob and Poppy

Other days we were guided around by our RV friends Gail and Jeff. These two even came to the race expo and cheered Steve at the finish line. 

A group of people sitting in bleachers, with three adults in the foreground taking a selfie. One woman is wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap, while another is wearing a gray jacket. An older man with glasses is sitting next to her. The background shows several spectators, including children holding signs.
Waiting at the finish line with Gail and Jeff
A male runner in a blue t-shirt with 'Missoula Marathon' printed on it, wearing sunglasses and earbuds, running past a crowd of spectators enjoying flowers in pots.
Final steps to the finish
Three individuals at an outdoor event: one woman standing with sunglasses and a hat, a man in a blue shirt holding a snack, and another man sitting on the grass displaying a marathon medal.
Celebrating State #42

From Connecticut we headed west through Pennsylvania and caught the trotters at Mohegan Casino. We also made a quick stop at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville.

Harness race with two horses racing on a track, in front of a scoreboard displaying race information.
Cheering on the trotters
A person standing near a tall, modern concrete tower against a clear blue sky.
Flight 93 Memorial Belltower

Our next major destination was my hometown of Ashland, Ohio. There we had a great reunion with the Finley/Shoemaker clan, including several meals with Uncle Dave Shoemaker (Uncle Shoey), who is turning 96 this month.

A group of five people standing together in a warmly decorated room, featuring a wooden shelf in the background. The individuals are smiling and casually dressed, including two men wearing jackets and a woman in a patterned sweater.
Steve, Marnie, Uncle Shoey, Judy, and Dave
A man sitting in a rolling walker smiles at the camera, flanked by a woman leaning on the chair and a man holding a small dog, all in a rustic setting with wooden walls.
Barn party with Uncle Shoey
A group of seven people posing together indoors, with six standing behind a seated elderly man in a wheelchair. Some individuals are holding small dogs.
Steve, Sharon, Marnie, Judy, Dave, and Uncle Shoey

While in Ohio we also took a tour of the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield. The historic former prison, is now a museum famous for being the filming location for The Shawshank Redemption. The reformatory was built between 1886 and 1910 and remained in operation, without much maintenance, until the Federal government ordered it to close in 1990.

A wooden door with a glass panel displaying the text 'OFFICE of PRISON SUPERVISOR' and 'SAMUEL NORTON WARDEN'. The view shows a room behind the door with patterned tiled flooring, a wooden table, and curtains.
Two people smiling in an old, possibly historic building with peeling paint and barred windows.
Interior of an abandoned prison cell featuring a rusty metal bed frame, a sink, and a toilet on a concrete floor with peeling paint on the walls.

From Ohio we made a quick trip to Indiana to have our refrigerator replaced and then back to West Virginia for the Marshall University Marathon. Steve finished the race without issue, and I even completed the 3.25 mile race. We both crossed the finish line in the football stadium on a chilly day.

A woman smiling while walking on a football field, holding a football, with a university stadium in the background.
Finishing the 3.25 at Marshall University

On our way to the fourth fall marathon, we stopped in Lexington for a few of our favorite things…horses and bourbon. We hit up the big breeding stock sale at Fasig-Tipton and visited a few farms to see the top stallions. Of course we also took several distillery tours including one at Wild Turkey.

A man holding a horse on a lead next to a woman smiling while posing for a photo, with a man nearby and trees in the background during evening light.
Streak of Luck sold for $6.2 million
A man leads a brown horse on a brick pathway in front of a large building, with a group of people observing and taking photos.
Stallion showings
A man standing next to a large metal art sculpture of a turkey on a building wall.
Wild Turkey
A man posing next to a large wooden barrel labeled 'Wild Turkey Distilling Co' in a distillery setting.

After a too-short stop to see Steve’s brother Gary and his family (not sure why I don’t have more photos) we made it to Tulsa for Steve’s fourth fall marathon and his 44th state. 

A young woman sitting in the backseat of a car, smiling while holding a small brown dog with curly fur, wearing a turquoise harness. The background shows a clear blue sky and grassy fields outside the car window.
Poppy loves Brynn
A man poses next to a large illuminated sign that reads '26.2', surrounded by colorful balloons and star decorations.
Last marathon of the year
A person stands next to large illuminated letters spelling 'TULSA' in blue lights, with a black curtain in the background.

From Tulsa we made a last minute decision to go north to Nebraska for Thanksgiving, rather than heading to Arizona as planned. Spending time with Steve’s brother Brian’s large family for the holiday was full of fun.

A group of five people sitting at a dinner table with plates of food, drinks, and a festive atmosphere. The table is set with various dishes, including turkey and rolls, and decorative elements are visible in the background.
John, Hannah, Lydia, Elise, and Jarrot
Two young men smiling at a dining table set with plates of food and drinks during a festive occasion.
The boys, Nate & Zach
A group of eight people seated around a dining table filled with various dishes, drinks, and desserts during a meal. The setting features a warm ambiance with decorative artwork in the background.
Brian, Heidi, John, Hannah
Three people enjoying a meal together at a dining table, with plates and drinks, surrounded by a cozy interior and plants.
Steve, Nate & Zach
A group of six people standing together outdoors in front of a large tree, each holding a small dog. The setting features greenery and autumn leaves scattered on the ground.
The Green Five
A group of seven people and three dogs pose together outdoors, standing in front of a large tree and a house. The scene shows a sunny day with clear skies and trees in the background.
Brian and Heidi’s beautiful family

But the real reason we drove 400 miles out of our way was the Nebraska Cornhuskers! All three Green boys, Hudson, Brynn, and Nathan braved the cold to support the Big Red football team. 

A group of five people posing for a photo at a Nebraska football game, wearing red and black apparel, with a stadium view in the background and the field visible.
Brian, Brynn, Nate, Gary, Hudson, and Steve – Go Big Red!

We finally made it back to Arizona on December 1st and set up camp at the Sunflower RV Resort in Surprise. We took advantage of a few of the resort’s activities and celebrated the season with Steve’s parents and our dear friends Russ and Susan Shoemaker who were also staying at the resort. 

A man with glasses holds a small dog while standing in front of a recreational vehicle at night, with a lit decorative tree nearby.
Celebrating the season
Two men taking a selfie in a sunny outdoor setting with palm trees and a building in the background.
Larry & Steve

Our year of full-time travel ended in our happy place, Puerto Peñasco, Mexico. A week at the condo was a great way to wind 2025 down. Mitch, Lauren, and Caleb joined us for a few days of fun as well. 

A pair of feet resting on a lounge chair with a view of a shimmering ocean and a clear blue sky, alongside a sign that reads 'Owner Only Area.'
Ahhhh…
A dog sitting on a striped cushion, gazing at the sunset over a beach with palm trees in the background.
Poppy’s first beach visit
A smiling man wearing sunglasses and a straw hat leans on a wall, with a sunny beach and ocean in the background.
Beach bum
A group of five people smiling together in a restaurant setting, enjoying food and drinks at a table.
Lauren, Caleb, Mitch, Steve, and Marnie
A stunning sunset over the ocean, with vibrant orange and pink hues in the sky, reflecting on calm waves. Silhouetted palm trees line the beach, and a pool area is visible in the foreground.
You can’t beat a Peñasco sunset
A group of five people sitting around a table in a colorful restaurant. The background features green walls and festive decorations. A decorative centerpiece is on the table.
Dinner at Regina’s!

Whew! We’ve caught you up to present day, but there’s more to come. We have BIG changes planned for 2026, more marathons, and more adventures. Stay tuned!

Heading East Through the Finger Lakes

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We are heading east towards Steve’s next race. Our journey took us through New York’s Finger Lakes region where we spent a few days exploring. We based ourselves in Hector, NY, on the shores of Seneca Lake, at the new-ish Finger Lakes RV Resort. How can you go wrong with two wineries within walking distance of the campground? And deals at each for campers?

Poppy loves wineries!
Sign at the campground
Pretty sunset over Seneca Lake

Our first adventure was a hike through Watkins Glen State Park, where the stream descends 400 feet past 200 foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along the gorge.

Watkins Glen Gorge
Heading up the gorge
One of many stone bridges
Can you see me?

We hiked the gorge trail in both directions for a total of about 3 miles. Going early in the day, midweek, made this much more enjoyable than fighting the crowds that descend upon this paradise on the weekends.

Incredible views
Easy hiking
Trail follows the stream

Not far from our campground is the town of Ithaca, the home to ivy league Cornell University. We took the afternoon to explore the campus and its beautiful historic buildings. Sage Chapel and Uris library, known as the Harry Potter library, were definitely highlights. Tuition here is about $71,000 a year and the acceptance rate is below 8%. Kind of a different vibe from our alma maters.

Sage Chapel
Tiffany glass windows
Uris library
Uris library
Cornell students studying
Beautiful historic buildings on Cornell’s campus

On another day in the Finger Lakes we experienced rain, which was a great opportunity to hit up the nearby Corning Museum of Glass. Besides being the home to Corning dishes, the company now makes fiber optic and cable technologies and developed Gorilla Glass, used in iPhones. We learned a lot while being wowed by the world’s largest collection of glass art.

Beautiful glass art
Steve’s favorite
Glass blower
Learning about glass

From the Finger Lakes we continued west with a stop in Oneonta for lunch at Brooks House of BBQ on the recommendation of our friend and neighbor Norb Tornes. Steve devoured the chicken plus the sides, and afterwards, we checked out the giant charcoal pit where the magic happens.

Steve’s chicken
BBQing chickens
Leaves are beginning to change

We continue to enjoy visiting Harvest Host locations for overnight stays along the road. On this route we stopped in Rexford, NY at Bowmans Orchard for the night. Bowmans claims to be the home to the Macintosh apple.

Poppy meeting the goats

The house where the MacIntosh family lived still stands on the property and dates back to the 1700s. We even got to chat with Jackie Bowman, the current resident of the house and one of several Bowmans that live on the property. Unfortunately it was raining, so the u-pick was closed. We still enjoyed the stop and bought some yummy apples.

Shepherd House
Historic stuff
Bummer!
With Jackie Bowman
It’s fall y’all!

Heading eastward!

Niagara Falls Iconic Attractions

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We finally made it to one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world. Niagara Falls has been on our list and now it has a ✔️ next to it. We left Traverse City after a wonderful summer and crossed into Canada at Port Huron. From there we ventured across southern Ontario and camped at a KOA on the Canadian side of the falls. 

Map showing the route from Traverse City, Michigan, to Niagara Falls, Ontario, with marked locations.
Our route
A man stands in front of the Niagara Falls KOA sign, accompanied by two small dogs. The backdrop features a landscaped area with a rock formation and a small waterfall.
Niagara Falls KOA

They say you have to see the falls from both sides, so we did. Early on our first day we crossed back into the USA and set out to explore Niagara Falls State Park, the country’s oldest state park. From the park we were able to access our top priorities: Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds. 

A person stands beside a stone monument for Niagara Falls State Park, featuring an emblem with a depiction of a waterfall and the text 'EST. 1885'.
Oldest State Park

Maid of the Mist

The iconic Maid of the Mist first launched in 1846 to operate as ferry across the Niagara River for stagecoaches and carriages.

Logo of Maid of the Mist, featuring a ferry and waterfall design, with the text 'Maid of the Mist' and 'Est. 1846' against a blue background.
Maid of the Mist
A person stands on a walkway near Niagara Falls, wearing a green vest and holding a blue rain slicker, with trees and the falls in the background.
Waiting to board
The 'Maid of the Mist' boat filled with passengers in blue rain ponchos, navigating the waters near Niagara Falls, surrounded by lush greenery.
Our ride

Now the all-electric vessels shuttles over 1.5 million visitors each year to the base of Horseshoe Falls. We donned the signature blue rain slicker and still got pretty damp. The mist from the falls is no joke. 

Panoramic view of Niagara Falls, showcasing the cascading water and mist rising from the Falls, with a rocky shoreline in the foreground.
American Falls
A man and a woman wearing blue ponchos stand in front of Niagara Falls, with mist and cascading water visible in the background.
Ready to experience the mist
View of Niagara Falls from a distance, showing the cascading water and the surrounding greenery.
Horseshoe Falls
Two people wearing blue rain ponchos smiling in front of Niagara Falls, with water cascading in the background.
We weren’t ready!!
A man wearing a red baseball cap and a blue rain slicker smiles, with a blurred background of greenery and water, likely near Niagara Falls.
Mr. Outdoors
A scenic view of Niagara Falls, showcasing the cascading waterfalls surrounded by lush greenery under a cloudy sky.
View of Niagara Falls with a boat navigating near the base, surrounded by mist and rocky cliffs.

Cave of the Winds

After our experience on the water, we walked across the park and onto Goat Island. Here we found the next attraction: Cave of the Winds.

A man standing beside a railing along a path, with vibrant fall foliage in the background and a 'Please Stop' sign nearby.
Goat Island in the Fall
A man standing next to a yellow sign for Cave of the Winds, with a stone wall in the background.
Steve and his friend

The original cave behind Bridal Veil Falls was discovered in 1834 but was destroyed in a 1954 rockfall. Now you go through a tunnel and elevator and walk on a boardwalk that takes you right up to the base of Bridal Veil Falls. 

A person wearing a yellow rain poncho stands smiling on a wooden walkway near Niagara Falls, with mist and greenery in the background.
Ready!
Two individuals wearing yellow rain ponchos stand in front of the rushing waters of Niagara Falls, with mist and rocky terrain visible in the background.
Still not too wet
A person wearing a yellow rain poncho stands on a wooden deck with a view of a large waterfall in the background, surrounded by mist.
Getting damp

Honestly we were not prepared for how wet you get on this attraction and the flimsy yellow slickers didn’t help much. Still, we loved climbing the wooden stairs up to the Hurricane Deck which is the closest you can get to any of Niagara’s three waterfalls, with powerful winds and water crashing around you. Our shoes were sopping when we finished but the exhilaration was worth it!

Visitors wearing yellow ponchos on the Hurricane Deck at Niagara Falls, surrounded by mist and water from the falls.
Steve on the Hurricane Deck
Video from the Hurricane Deck

Skylon Tower

On the Canadian side you get a direct view of the falls as opposed to a side view from the US. We opted to view the natural wonder from above.

Skylon Tower was built in 1965 and shows its age. Still, the revolving restaurant at the top provides some of the best views as well as a great deal on an early bird fixed-price dinner.

Aerial view of Niagara Falls showcasing the cascading water and surrounding greenery, with urban buildings in the background.
American Falls from above
A woman with blonde hair poses thoughtfully while gazing out from inside Skylon Tower, with a view of Niagara Falls and a cityscape in the background.
Considering the views
Aerial view of the Niagara River, featuring a bridge, lush greenery, and a shadow of Skylon Tower cast over the landscape.
View toward USA with the Tower’s shadow

While enjoying a three course meal featuring prime rib for Steve and salmon for me, we slowly rotated roughly 52 stories above the falls. As you can see we got some great photos! We highly recommend seeing the falls from Skylon whether you have dinner (make reservations early) or just head up to the observation deck. 

A man enjoying a glass of red wine while sitting at a table inside Skylon Tower, overlooking Niagara Falls with a scenic view of the waterfalls and surrounding landscape.
Dinner and wine above the falls
Aerial view of Niagara Falls, showcasing the powerful flow of water cascading over the edge and a boat navigating through the mist at the base of the falls.
Horseshoe Falls

There’s a ton more to do in this area including wine tasting around Niagara-on-the-Lake. But we have a few more stops to make before Steve’s next race.