Day 65, Tuesday, August 10, 2021, Streetsboro, OH (52 miles)

We departed Berlin Lake Campground and went to the Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron.  The Tudor Revival style mansion was constructed from 1912-1915 for F.A. Seiberling, who with his brother, co-founded Goodyear Tire & Rubber in 1898.  The mansion was very impressive with much intricately designed woodwork inside.  It totals 64,500 square feet and sits on 1,500 acres of beautiful gardens including an English Garden and a Japanese Garden. And Tuesdays are seniors 50% off days! We had no problem parking the coach using only 7 parking spaces. However, they did have to open a second gate at the exit so we could leave. Continuing on, we checked into the Streetsboro/Cleveland KOA campground (50 amp FHU) for a three night stay.

Day 64, Monday, August 9, 2021, Berlin Center, OH (41 miles)

We departed Chestnut Ridge Campground and stopped at the Youngstown Walmart for some groceries. We then headed to the White House Fruit Farm. The farm was established by a family in 1815 and is still owned and operated by the same family today. We bought lots of stuff including a donut peach, not a donut but a peach in the shape of a donut. Bought other fruits, a half gallon of fresh apple cider and other goodies including a coconut custard pie, a maple donut and one of their “famous blueberry donuts”. The blueberry donut did not last very long and it was as good as advertised. We checked into US Army Corps of Engineers Berlin Lake Campground (50 amp) a Federal facility which with our senior pass was a bargain at $15 for a lakefront site. After dinner, the maple donut went as did a slice of the pie. You know the pie was good because even Rosemary ate a whole piece.  Our after dinner walk was rained out.

Day 63, Sunday, August 8, 2021, Hubbard, OH (Youngstown, OH & Sharon, PA)

We drove the car to the Mill Creek Park in Youngstown. We walked around the Fellows Riverside Gardens, stopped at the suspension bridge which the visitor center guide called the “Cinderella Bridge”, viewed the waterfall and covered bridge at Lanterman’s Mill and hiked the east gorge trail. After a picnic lunch in the park, we drove around Youngstown but not much going on there, maybe because it was Sunday.

Day 62, Saturday, August 7, 2021, Hubbard, OH (Youngstown, OH & Sharon, PA) (123 miles)

Travel day through winding mountain roads as we left the Allegheny National Forest area. Checked into the Chestnut Ridge Campground (30 amp, W, DS). Drove the car to the Temple Beth Israel Cemetery in Hermitage, PA, to visit the grave of my great-grandfather, Ignatz Wise, who I never met. The cemetery was a bit hard to find as it is tucked behind another cemetery and separated by obscuring trees. It was not visible from the road and had no signage whatsoever. The gate was locked but we took a footpath through the trees and found it. The cemetery is well maintained but there is no info as to where anyone is located. Fortunately, Rosemary quickly found my great uncle’s grave, Mono Wise, who I did meet, as he was buried in the first row. Ignatz and his second wife, Lena, are located near Mono in the second row. We drove around Sharon, PA, and found that Temple Beth Israel is now occupied by a church. Our campground walk was before dinner as the sky looked like rain which did come after dinner.

Day 61, Friday, August 6, 2021, Russell, PA 

An early start as we picked up Aaron at 10:00 and headed to the Allegheny National Forest for a hike at the Hearts Content trail. This trail was through old growth forest of hemlock, white pine and beech trees, some 300-400 years old. A delightful hike in the shade of the forest. Back to Aaron’s place for lunch and then we drove to the Kinzua Dam. The dam created the Allegheny Reservoir which is 27 miles long with 91 miles of shoreline. Near the dam we hiked to the Bent Run waterfall, a small but nice falls. At about 3 pm we decided to head to the Kinzua Bridge State Park about 50 minutes to the east and boy were we glad we did. The park features a skywalk from the remains of what was once the longest and tallest viaduct. Constructed originally in 1881-1882, it was 2,053 feet long and 301 feet high and made of iron. In 1900, it was rebuilt using steel to accommodate heavier trains. Freight traffic halted in 1959 and the park was created in 1963. Excursion trains began in 1987 until barred in 2002 as was pedestrian traffic when inspections determined the structure needed repairs. Repairs began in February, 2003, but on July 21, 2003, an F1 tornado hit the side of the viaduct and 11 towers were torn from their concrete bases and thrown to the valley floor. Today, there is a pedestrian walkway built on 6 restored original towers with a partial glass floor. The 11 twisted and scattered towers blown over by the tornado are still at the bottom of the valley. We walked the skywalk and Rosemary took it better than expected. We also hiked the trail to the bottom of the valley, a 312 foot elevation change. The excitement of this park make it a must see if you are anywhere near it. Dinner back at Aaron’s place and a final farewell to Aaron on this trip.

Day 60, Thursday, August 5, 2021, Russell, PA ( 62 miles)

Easy travel day through mountain roads including along the west side of the Allegheny Reservoir. Checked into the Red Oak Campground (FHU 50 amp). Grocery shopping at Topps in Warren, PA. Dinner with Aaron at his Airbnb in Warren and we finished our leftover Cape May pizza. Just as good the second time.