Running

Newport to New York and Places in Between

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Our East coast travels are continuing in the most successful way. In Newport, Rhode Island, Steve completed a marathon in his 36th state.

Finish line at the Amica Newport Marathon
Finish line treats

Along the way we explored this historic and beautiful seaside town. In our few days there we walked the famed Cliff Walk to view Gilded Aged mansions that have defined the town for centuries. The Breakers, the Elms, Marble House and others offer a unique trip through years of American history, architecture, and landscape design. We didn’t go inside any of the properties, but peered in through the gates as we strolled the Cliff Walk.

Cliff Walk and Easton Beach below
Cliff Walk in Newport
The Breakers

Newport is rooted in a seafaring lifestyle. Visiting the shipyards and forts gave us a sense of what drives this beautiful place. 

Newport Shipyard
Relaxing in Newport
Fall Colors Abound
Newport Harbor
Newport’s Fort Adams

Once the marathon was over we traveled south to another historic seaport town: Mystic, Connecticut. Here we toured the Mystic Seaport Museum to learn about all kinds of ships. Whalers, schooners, steamboats, catboats, tugboats, and more are on display at the nation’s leading maritime museum. 

Mystic Seaport Museum
Mystic Seaport Museum
Whaling Ship Captains
Mystic Seaport Museum
Mystic Seaport

Our friends Cheryl and Alan came up from Old Saybrook for lunch one day and we loved catching up with them. We had lunch in beautiful Stonington and spent all afternoon reminiscing, and of course, planning our next get-together. 

More views from Newport
Alan, Cheryl, Marnie and Steve
More Fall Colors

Just north of Mystic, back towards Rhode Island, lies the hamlet of Watch Hill. It’s a community for the rich who seek privacy in contrast to nearby Newport. Famous residents of Watch Hill have included Henry Ford, Clark Gable, and most recently Taylor Swift. Her mansion, Holiday House, stands on the highest point, overlooking the sea. 

Taylor’s House
Watch Hill Lighthouse and Taylor’s House

As we moved south along the Eastern seaboard, we couldn’t pass up a weekend in “the city.” Yes, visiting New York City with an RV is a bit of a challenge, but we were up to it. We stayed at Liberty Harbor RV Park in Jersey City, just across the Hudson River from Manhattan. The views of NYC were spectacular from the waterfront, and it was an easy train ride to the heart of it all.

Liberty Harbor RV Park
NYC Skyline
Wow

You may remember that we lived here for three months back in 2016 just after we retired. During that time we did “all the things.” This visit we decided to just enjoy the city, revisit a few of our favorite haunts, and soak it all in. We had a beautiful weekend for wandering and averaged about seven miles each day. 

Pizza Suprema
Central Park
Central Park Reservoir
“Our” Trader Joes at 72nd and Broadway
Trinity Chapel
Central Park on a beautiful Sunday
72nd and Broadway Subway Station
Favorite bookstore
Favorite deli
We shared the Rueben.
Federal Hall – where George Washington was inaugurated
Waiting on the train

Getting in and out of these big cities can be a little challenging but we are doing it. Sometimes a wrong turn or missed exit results in a nice surprise. For example, the Garmin tried to take us across the Key bridge in Baltimore, not knowing the bridge was out due to a ship strike. Our new route took us right past Fort McHenry in Baltimore. That meant one more stamp in the passport book and a little more history. The leaves are at peak color now and we are soaking it all in. 

Crossing the Tappan Zee bridge
One more NPS site!
Bob loves the fall colors too!
A surprise visit to another historic site.

For the Love of Football and Family

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Our fall travel and marathon season is upon us. Over the next few months we’re heading east and have races and new adventures planned. 

We left Michigan and headed to Dayton, Ohio with our sights on the Air Force Marathon. 

While in the area we did a little biking and visited the Dayton Aviation Heritage Historical Park. Dayton was home to the Wright Brothers’ cycle shop, and their many accomplishments are celebrated across the town. At the National Museum of the Air Force, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, all forms of aviation are on display, including our nation’s space vehicles.

Biking in Dayton
Wright Bros Cycle Shop
US Space Program

The marathon events began with an expo where we picked up Steve’s packet and took some fun photos. Early the next morning we arrived to the start line on the Air Force base in very warm weather. It was in the 70s at the start. 

Getting ready!
Early morning at the start
Sunrise before the race

I took a free shuttle to see Steve at the 15 mile mark and by then the temperature was in the high 80s. The race had issued a red alert, indicating dangerous running conditions. Steve’s heart rate, normally around 130 beats per minute when he runs, was pushing 160. This, along with the prospect of even higher temperatures at the finish line, was enough for Steve to call it a day. Better to be safe than sorry. So, we’ll be back through Ohio next year to do another marathon so he can claim the state. 

Air Force took security on the course seriously
Still running at mile 15
Happy to fight another day

From Dayton we headed west a little to position ourselves for Steve’s next Nebraska Cornhusker game in Lafayette, Indiana. While waiting for Saturday’s game to arrive we visited a local Wolf Park to learn a little about these beautiful animals (trained foxes too!)

We also took advantage of the great facilities at Prophetstown State Park where we camped. A great bike/running path took us through the park and was decorated for the season with unique scarecrows presented by local organizations.

Biking in Prophetstown State Park
Statue of Liberty Scarecrow
Young Scarecrows
Checking out the Farm
One more “Scarecrow” on the trail

The Cornhuskers crushed the Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday, and Steve cheered them on as he always does.

The Huskers are in the house
Steve’s escorts into the stadium
Purdue’s World’s Largest Drum
GO BIG RED!

Ashland, Ohio, my birthplace and hometown, was our next stop. We had not been back since a family reunion over 15 years ago. This stop was brief, but we made the most of it by hanging out with my cousins, Red and Judy, who let us park our RV next to the old barn.

The Old Barn at Shoemaker Farms
Me and Cousin Cindy
Bob loved Kira

There are still a bunch of Finleys/Shoemakers/Zimmermans in Ashland, and it was super awesome to see everyone. We were especially grateful to see Uncle Shoey, who will celebrate his 95th birthday in January. We even got to join him and Tom at the Dairy Bar for breakfast before we pulled out of town.

Sharon with her girls: Kelly, Laney, Kira, Sharon, and Zoe
Laney loved Bob too!
Uncle Shoes with Red and Sharon
Breakfast at the Dairy Bar with Tom and Uncle Shoey

And before we left Ohio, we crossed one more National Park off the list. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located just south of Cleveland. We stopped there to explore the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath via bike. Our 15 mile cruise took us along the canal that in the mid-1800s transported goods between East Coast cities and America’s rural heartland. 

One more National Park!
Farm market along the trail
Inside the lock over the river
A little green in this lock
Another old lock on the towpath
Riding into the lock built over the Cuyahoga River
Amazing that these were made in the mid-1800s

We’re now continuing our eastward path and have some pretty cool things ahead. 

Goodbye Summer, Hello Ford

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We’ve just finished our first summer as seasonal residents of the Traverse Bay RV Resort (TBRV) in beautiful Traverse City, Michigan. Where did the time go? We’ve been so busy having the time of our lives that we haven’t posted in quite awhile. Let’s try to get caught up!

Lunch at Peninsula Grill
Riding the Tour de Tart
Lunch at Eagle’s Tavern, Greenfield Village

After a busy June and early July with visits from Mitch and the Green family, my sister Mickie came all the way from Arizona to visit us in Michigan. We did our best to show her a good time. We went to the casino, visited lighthouses, and explored numerous wineries and distilleries. It was fun to share our new summer home with Mickie and find some new gems with her. Thanks for visiting, sis!

Steve and Mickie at the Casino
Mickie at Grand Traverse Lighthouse
On the shores of Lake Michigan
Mickie and Marnie at Leelanau State Park
Mickie at the Secret Garden

We were attracted to the Traverse City area partly because of the miles of bike trails. We can easily get out on the trail and ride or run for miles. As you can see, we explored as many miles as possible! 

Frankfort North Pier Lighthouse
Frankfort, MI
Suttons Bay, MI

In addition, the area around Traverse City is chocked full of wineries. We became members at Chateau Chantal and enjoyed a weekly visit to enjoy the views and the wine. 

One of the wineries on the Mission Peninsula
Peninsula Cellars

One of the best things about our summer was, of course, the wonderful friends we’ve made. It was Kunio and Michelle who first introduced us to their summer home, and they made our transition into the community quick and fun. Michelle coordinates the on-site breakfast four times throughout the season and recruited us to serve on the breakfast crew. Steve became an expert pancake maker by the last event!

Michelle and Marnie; Photo credit to Kunio
Breakfast crew with Steve on pancakes and Kunio on eggs
Serving line at the breakfast

Our RV friends Gail and Jeff stopped in Traverse City for a week and stayed in a site right behind us. Together with Michelle and Kunio we had a wine tasting afternoon, which was super fun. 

RV Friends! Gail, me & Michelle

Lots of time was spent on the patio with new and old friends. Happy hour is a regular activity at TBRV, and we hosted a gathering one evening. Our theme was the Olympics, and we watched the Opening Ceremonies while socializing.

Happy Hour at the Greens
Happy Hour to kick off the Olympics

We also spent time with our friends Steve and Dwight. We met Steve almost five years ago when he hosted us at his home in Florida as part of the Boondockers Welcome program. These guys had planned to stay at TBRV for a week this summer but ended up staying longer in the lot they bought while they were here! We’re looking forward to more happy hours with them next summer!

A day on the Mission Peninsula with Dwight and Steve

The resort offers a busy social calendar. I participated in the monthly book club and even led the discussion in August. The monthly ladies luncheon provided opportunities to meet more of our neighbors and make even more new friends. 

Ladies Lunch

After Labor Day, Steve flew to Omaha to join his brother Brian and nephew Nathan at the Nebraska – Colorado football game in Lincoln. Go Big Red! 

Steve, Nathan, and Brian – Go Big Red!

And since Steve was gone, Gail and Jeff joined me and the rest of the gang at Traverse City’s second annual International Fireworks Competition. While the weather all summer was warm and mild, we braved a little cold to view the choreographed fireworks spectacular. This is one event we’ll do again next summer.

Bundled up to watch fireworks – Jeff, Marnie, Gail, Michelle & Kunio

When the day finally arrived that we had to move along, we headed towards Detroit to check out the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and to take a tour of the Ford Rouge factory. No photos are allowed inside the factory, so you’ll have to believe us when we say it was really fascinating.

Ford Rouge Factory
Living rooftop of the factory

On our second day in Dearborn we visited Ford’s Greenfield Village, an 80-acre collection of artifacts and homes of famous Americans. Besides seeing Edison’s laboratory and Noah Webster’s (of Merriam-Webster fame) home, we rode the historic steam locomotive and a 1914 Model T. The 111-year-old Hershell-Spillman Carousel took us back to our childhoods.

Wright Brothers Original Cycle Store
Inside Wright Cycle Co.
Replica of Ford’s first factory building
On the steam train
Inside Noah Webster’s house
Learning to change tires on a race car at the museum
Beautiful old carousel
With some unique animals

Would we recommend a visit to The Henry Ford? The answer is a resounding YES! The factory tour gave us incredible insight into how our truck was made. The Village was filled with one surprise after another. We didn’t stay in the Detroit area for long, but the part that we saw was worth the detour.

Greenfield Village
Model T on the road
Steam engine locomotive
Riding a Model T

The fall marathon race schedule is about to begin. Watch for more blog posts from some super cool places!