After Chicago we skipped
our way along Lake Eerie, which is huge. It's still rather novel for
us to look at a lake and not be able to see a hint of something on
the other side. On numerous occasions we stopped at beaches in the
hope of getting a bit of sailing in, and on each were met with signs
advising us not to go into the water (or in one case, and I quote
“avoid contact with surface scum”) due to unacceptable algae
toxin levels. Um OK, that's not a sign I normally see when I go to
the beach.
After one such
disappointment, we drove on and stopped at a quiet camp ground in
Ohio. Brad decided this was an excellent place for a spot of
external Gil maintenance (something required some reattaching or
sealing or something) and so commenced the task despite it being 35
degrees plus and about 99% humidity. Unfortunately it turned out to
be a much bigger task/problem than first realised and required
multiple trips to the hardware store (no sausage sizzle out the
front, sad face), a few more nights in said camp ground and even
assistance from me. Yes, even I can use a screwdriver. On the plus
side Brad purchased a drill. The lack of a drill has served as an
excuse for not making minor Gil enhancements on many an occasion, not
anymore.
At about 11pm of our last
night, our third extremely impressive thunderstorm of recent times
struck. The lightening here is sheet (rather than the bolt variety
we are used to at home) and one continuous flash after another
lighting up the whole sky. Even without the thunder which makes Gil
move, and me dive under the doona/quilt/duvet in fear (Brad made me
admit that) sleep is impossible. The couple across from us were in a
tent and out driving somewhere at the time the storm hit. In their
absence their fly came off and several poles collapsed. We watched
as on their return they moved everything to their car, literally
drained water from their tent, dried it with towels and moved to
higher ground. In the morning there was evidence of multiple
mid-night abandonments and tents discarded in bins, like umbrellas
after a wind storm.
The following morning we
set on our way again, this time to Cleveland to see some houses where
my Granny and Dad had lived. It was a pretty rough neighbourhood and
we hadn't felt that unsafe since we were in Casper. After stopping
to check out the Cleveland Browns stadium and the air show which was
conveniently on, we continued on our way to Niagara Falls which was a
surprise to me. One of the joys of Brad being chief travel
co-ordinator is I sometimes I only find out where we are going when
we get there.
Niagara Falls were
suitably impressive. A surprise gust of wind meant we got wet, and
as I was wearing my last clean pair of jeans meant I was forced to
frequent a laundromat in my track pants (Brad made me admit that to that too). Yes dear readers, I did
something I've never done before and wore trackies in public, I hope
I can be forgiven. There are no photos of this event, so here's one of Niagara Falls instead.
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