White Star Park had a small campground—only 48 spots—next door to the local high school. The campground was clean, if unexceptional, but across the road was an old flooded quarry, and the day after I arrived (Sunday, Oct. 2), there were at least 50 people gathered there, most in diving gear. I had walked the dogs over, expecting just to see the quarry, so I asked what was going on. They were conducting underwater rescue training, I was told. ”Oh, and underwater pumpkin carving,” the man said. ”You can see them in the pavilion.” Of course, I forgot to bring my camera along.

Russ showed up needing laundry done and I needed groceries, so the next day was spent on those errands. Driving through one of the towns, I spotted this mural, and had to stop to capture it:

After three nights at White Star, it was off to Geneva State Park on the shores of Lake Erie. I stayed close to Russ’s route, taking the smaller roads right along the lakeshore. There are lots of very pretty towns with beautiful (or at least very expensive) homes crowded together all along the shoreline.

But then the route took me directly through the heart of Cleveland. Earlier, I’d considered stopping to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: I canned that idea and concentrated on not having an accident as I threaded the camper through the city streets. By the time I made it out the east side of Cleveland and spotted a Barnes & Noble, I had to make a stop and de-stress by browsing the books before driving the last thirty miles or so to Geneva State Park.

This place is surprisingly busy for a Tuesday, but tonight I will just have enough time to make dinner, catch up on my blogs and read a little bit of my new books before bed. Time to explore tomorrow.