Distance covered 3,209 miles (5,164 km).
Remarks
Bourbon is better than I experienced it in the past.
Already mentioned – I miss the options to stay with an RV in Europe as the state and county parks offering. This might be owed to the huge space the states have. Only comparable with the places offered by farmers.
Street conditions are unbelievable bad – which made some terrible noice in the RV.
Create your dreams – every day
Welcome similar to farewell … fog in Munich.
And finally in Munich central – while waiting for the bus to the lake: the welcome lunch.
Create your dreams – every day
Early get up at Walmart parking and discovering… fog. The States don’t want us to be sorry about leaving? 😂
Final cleaning and refilling of all storage.
Some notes about the RV and the return.
The toilet lid was jammed from the beginning – and it kept happening. When I complained to reception, they brushed it off with the comment that it was just a minor jam – in fact, the foot pedal mechanism was defective.
The shower was leaking—which we noticed very early on, thanks to the dripping water outside. Unfortunately, we realized too late that the water was running through the luggage compartment – and thus through one of the bags. Resulted in buying a new one.
Chicago o’Hare airport. Actually it took us less than 15 minutes for baggage drop and security check. And this despite of the warnings given due to shutdown.
Even the departure seems to be on time.
Create your dreams – every day
Good Morning – did I already mention that I love the small State Parks?
Just a short reminder – we are close to Chicago and to Route 66.
And further down the road …
… till have a stop in Elgin.
Search engines on the web are really nice. Ok, this is not a new finding, but we wouldn’t have found this restaurant – and not recognised it from the outside – without. It is part of a Golf Club in a luxurious living area. Looking at the guests around, this seems to be famous seniors retreat.
Create your dreams – every day
The holidays come to an end – and this gets obvious. Together with the fact that Illinois countryside is not able to offer the spectacular sites we are just driving around, stop at several malls and strolling through little towns.
Frankfort, Illinois is such a village – quite nice.
So nothing more interesting to report.
At the State Park Campground celebrating the final US campfire.
Create your dreams – every day
Morning hike in the sand – just to remind, we are in the Indiana Dunes State Park.
And again in the adventure shop – Bass Pro.
Actually alcohol is prohibited in the State Park. This explains the existence of these beverage covers you might buy. We also found these in our gear.
Following the classic bowl used for Clamp Chowder used in our dinner for tomato soup and Mac’n’Cheese.
Create your dreams – every day
After the cloudy day yesterday – today is beautiful sunshine.
Always interesting town name we are passing by. This time it is Valparaiso (we definitely didn’t make it to Peru).
It is Fall, it is Halloween season – so let’s go something with pumpkins. 🎃 so there is a farm … the County Line Orchard.
First surprise – the through road is closed. Only open for / to the event.
Second surprise – a huge field prepared for parking already with masses of cars (and not even full).
Of course they want to sell their products.
And of course lots of entertainment for kids. But also a stage with third surprise – the band plays real cool stuff.
Fourth surprise – when I ordered a cider (which is the non alcoholic apple juice) … I got it for free!
Night at Indiana Dunes State Park – of course with some campfire and additional fun…
Create your dreams – every day
Just to state own impression – downtown Indianapolis is missing flair, life and all these little things (e.g. Cafes) that might make it attractive during the day. And I repeat: this is my impression after one and a half day strolling around. Maybe we were just at the wrong Place.
Nevertheless you find venues with music for every taste – and we found our next after the Noodle yesterday: the Rathskeller. No, not for the German Bier, Bratwurst or Schlachtplatte – but for the music live at the Biergarten.
During the exchange with the band and friends we learn more about the music around Indy.
Create your dreams – every day
Landscape, landscape and landscape. So you find different farmer’s markets…
Dinner at the Fish Camp – very good fish dishes!
Create your dreams – every day
Thomas Alva Edison lived and worked in Louisville – before he started his inventions (in the end 1,093 patents). In his house a small museum was setup. There we received a comprehensive overview of Edison’s early days in Louisville, his later inventions and the history and development of the area butcherville.
On the way a stop at one of these big antique malls you are able to find along the interstates.
Slippery Noodle – the goal for a live gig.
An EMS conference is held and lots of the participants popped in. So we had nice chats with first responders from Alaska and one of the inventors of the PET Scanners in the breaks of the gig.
Create your dreams – every day
An old mill (Boone Mill) propelled by the water coming out of …
… an amazing cave (Esquire Cave).
Back in Louisville – the Rabbit Hole Distillery.
Not too bad, even I’m not able to talk to Alice (“Who the …?”). But from the rooftop…
Just around the corner – The Whiskey Thiefs.
A very nice version of guided tasting directly out of the casks (here called barrels).
The real plan for the night – meet Bob Dylan at the Last Refuge.
Even Bob did not show up, it is an amazing venue. It is said there an around 5,000 bottles on display. And yes, they use the ladder.
And this was the 3rd flight of Whiskey this afternoon.
And what to do afterwards? Last time it was sightseeing in a liquor store. And this time with the lady …
Create your dreams – every day
All west of Louisville …
Driving through beautiful North Kentucky landscape.
The Oscar Getz Bourbon History Museum. The collection Oscar – as owner of the Barton Distillery – brought together over years.
And with lots of old old old bottles – empty and full.
Followed by a real (and huge) distillery – Heaven Hill with all its brands.
The number of warehouses (not all are on the picture) might give an idea of the size).
Finally passing by Fort Knox – unfortunately already closed to make withdrawal of gold.
Create your dreams – every day
Short walk in General Butlers estate (state park) – where we have stayed for the night.
City life on a Monday – no way at Louisville. We need to come back Wednesday earliest. Nevertheless one dram was possible at the shop Kentucky Bourbon Experience.
Also lots of distilleries are closed – but we got something at Bulleit Distillery …
Thanks to Ash (the scottish-austrian guy) – he gave us a very nice introduction.
And there is a new game: Whiskey flight ping-pong.
And finally the day is over.
Create your dreams – every day
The tomb of the first US President passing away during his presidency – William Henry Harrison, 9th President of the United States. He died after just 32 days as President.
The legend that Harrison contracted fatal pneumonia in the winter cold during the longest inaugural address in American history has never been confirmed.
National Underground Railroad Center. It is not about trains but about the network slaves were able to flee into the free states.
What to do on a rainy afternoon in Kentucky? Taste some Whiskies – at a nice little distillery – Neeley Family Distillery.
Thanks to Shaun for the great walk through.
Create your dreams – every day
Due to the delay of the tire incident we decided to spend the night at a truck stop just at I-90. Even there you have nice chat in the morning.
Then entering the National Aviation Heritage Area. All around Dayton, Ohio – where the brothers Wright improved their jumps … sorry … flights.
Even though the first flight of the Wrights was in 1903 – the brothers improved their machine here in Dayton at the Huffman Prairie Flying Field.
Unfortunately the shutdown hit us again – this time really hard.
Beside the National Museum of the USAF, also the Wright Heritage Museum is closed. 🤬
The day ends on a more conciliatory note with live music at an exceptional location near the Ohio River.
Thank you Justin to let us stay for the night.
Create your dreams – every day
Visit in the prison – the old Mansfield Reformatory.
It was site for several movies, including ‘The Shawshank Redemption’.
Local mini concert at Happy Hour in Natalie’s Grandview later in Columbus.
Just started the way towards a stay for the night it made a bang and one of the rear double tire lost pressure. It shows a quite big whole – from a bolt or similar caught at the interstate.
Phone call (professional handling by Cruise America), waiting (which always sucks) and then on site exchange of the tire (the guy did a great job). In total 3 hours.
Create your dreams – every day
Morning in the local campground in the woods – East Otto State Park.
Heading towards Cleveland along the Indian Summer (again) I-90.
And there – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The music attacks with all the songs, riffs and voices you know for sure. And this on a mix while you move forward.
It is a collection of memorabilia of numerous mega stars – nevertheless some are missing.
Create your dreams – every day
The goal for today – experience the Niagara Falls. And so we do…
Heading back to the US.
Before heading back to the US a short stop at the Duty Free. Remarkable the shelf of US Whisky. I believe the Bourbon is NOT sold out.
The night planned with Otto 😉 at East Otto State Park. Beautiful area here in the North.
Create your dreams – every day
It is always a necessary planning: where to park the RV and how to get into the city.
But being there these are different topics of the impressions.
And finally – following a recommendation – we have a reservation in the 360 restaurant.
Benefit – skip the queue and no tickets necessary.
But diner is overpriced and in total … ok. Nevertheless to mention the service was very friendly and professional.
However and overall – nice experience on top of Toronto. One turn in about 90 minutes.
Finally a collection speaking for itself.
Create your dreams – every day
BTW – it is Columbus Day. So have in mind that nearly everything is closed.
Just down the street we can buy some cheap firewood – along with the usual chat with the couple who are there.
Fortunately the gas stations are open to acquire the necessary fuel and propane.
Now we arrive at a provincial park near (more or less) Toronto.
Columbus? The required essentials we were able to buy in the Indian Food Market.
Even having no picture from the day, a classic evening one is always available.
Create your dreams – every day
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