Day Twenty Three

Up early, packed and in the car by 8.20am for a travel day and a look at two opposite ends of the US social spectrum.

First up we travelled the short distance to Hershey and parked up at Hershey Chocolate World, For the uninitiated, Hershey is the American equivalent of Cadburys. The place, Hershey, is named after Mr Hershey who chose it for the site to build his factory. Now it is a capitalist's dream of an area. A theme park, stadium, Chocolate World. We thought we'd stop by as the likelihood of us ever being back to the area is small. 

As we were travelling our plan was to be in and out in an hour, so we were only going into the free bit. Parking was also free if you were under three hours. As we arrived we saw the vastness of the parking lot. We arrived ten minutes after it was open so it was not too busy. Parked up and went straight in to go on the free factory tour. Being early there was barely a queue. If you've ever been to Madame Tussauds imagine the taxi cab bit at the end. We sat in a moving car and it took us around an animated show of how the chocolate is made.

Entrance

Cheeky fellas

Animated mixing

Reese's!!!

I'd say it was average, but it was free unlike everything else and we got a bit of chocolate at the end. At the end, there is the obligatory end of ride photo op. I pretended to be asleep. As you exit, it kicks you out into the shop. There was a lot of chocolate and chocolate related things. We bought stuff including a magnet and were back in the car just a touch over an hour. Excellent work. As we left, hundreds and hundreds of people were arriving and the car parks were filling up.

Headed on eastwards. Stopped for a Starbucks after a couple of hours in Wilkes-Barre. Woman heard my name wrong. Man then called this out.

Richar

Carried on for another hour and a half crossing into New York State before we pulled into to our second stop, the small village of Bethel which became famous exactly 56 years ago when it hosted Woodstock.  Parked under a tree in the carpark and made lunch using food we still had. Once we had finished we made our way into to the museum which now sits close by to the site. 

It took us through how life in America changed during the sixties and the events leading up to the festival. As we had been driving, I said to Ann I hope it explains why it was called Woodstock even though it was miles away from Woodstock. It did. It was originally going to be held in Woodstock but the locals kicked up such a fuss they moved it at the last minute, fifty miles away to Yasgur's Farm in Bethel. They were expecting about 70,000 people. 450,000 turned up causing chaos. The fences hadn't been completed and people just walked in. There wasn't enough food etc. It rained heavily. We watched a video in a theatre that showed some of the main performances.

Bus

Bug

Immersive

Went to the shop and spent money. More capitalism built on the opposition to capitalism from those festival goers.

Back to the car and drove just down the road to the actual site.

Marker

Stage was to the left

Onward east for just over another hour to the Holiday Inn Express at Fishkill. Walked into reception to find an argument going on between a bloke and the guy on the desk. We had to join a queue going nowhere whilst the guy on the desk was dealing with him. It seems that the bloke's employer had paid for his room but then his credit card had been used at the desk, so he was saying it had been paid for twice. He wanted his money back. The guy was on the phone to IT trying to sort and told the bloke, you'll have it back by the time you leave and was trying to give him his key. Bloke wasn't having it. 

Another man came in, I think he knew the guy on the desk and was waiting to talk to him. He then looked at Ann who was holding a Hershey bag and said is there chocolate in that? We said a bit. He said you won't make it upstairs. That provided a brief comic relief to the main event.

Eventually the guy on reception said to the bloke 'I don't know what you want me to do? I can give you the key! I have all these people waiting!' The bloke said I just want my money back. Guy on reception then just ignored him and started serving others including us. Bloke seemed upset by this. Look forward to reading his online review.

Lugged our stuff up to the room and then headed out to the Red Line Diner which was a short walk away. 

Busy Diner

It was big and packed. Had some nice food. I had a grilled cheese and fries. Ann had something. We then got desserts to go and headed back to the hotel.

Started writing this and then stopped to eat some of the cheesecake. When we got the desserts out they were massive.

Hand for scale

Gave up after about a quarter. Especially difficult trying to eat it with a coffee stirring stick.

States visited - 11

Day Twenty Two

Woke up to find Ann didn't have a nose bleed during the night which was a positive. Although we had a fair bit to do today we didn't rush out. Left just about 10.30am and headed into Harrisburg.

Had picked out a car park to park in but when we got there it had lots of sketchy characters hanging about outside it, so we carried on driving. As we went to do a loop to come back around we found some on-street parking right next to where we wanted to go. Paid using a machine and then walked up to the Pennsylvania State Capitol. 

Went in. This time we had to go through security unlike in Minnesota. Woman said we could join a tour that was just about to go, but it was quite big so we went for a self guided one. Eventually we worked out where to go. Saw the rotunda whilst studying the map.

Looking up

Stairway

Headed to the Senate first.

Then to the House of Representatives.

We couldn't go to the Supreme Court as it was being used. We tried to find the Governor's Reception room but it took some time to work out where it was and how to get there. Eventually we managed it and had a look around. Next we went to the gift shop and got a magnet and then a quick drink from the cafe. 

Went out the front and got a picture before heading back to the car.

Fountain

Next we decided to get lunch so headed to Tito's. It didn't look great from the outside but it was fine on the inside and the food was good. I had a grilled cheese and fries. Ann had something.

Next we headed to the National Civil War museum. When we arrived we thought it was really strange as there were barely any cars in the car park. Went in to find it almost empty which was odd for such a big museum. The layout ran from causes of the war, through the battles and then the aftermath. 

It was an interesting afternoon especially as we almost had the place to ourselves.

Fort Sumter

Guns

Confederate

Just cut it off

Union

When we finished we went to the shop for the obligatory magnet and the woman said we'd timed it well to miss the storm. Looked outside to see it raining. This was a potential problem for our last activity. Checked the radar and waited for the worst to pass before heading to the car. Made the short trip to City Island. When we got the island we ignored the signs about parking and drove all the way to the end and reached Water Golf. The rain had stopped so we could play our second tournament of the tour. 

Due to the weather, there was only one other group on the course which was a dad and his three sons and they were right ahead of us. Initially we had to keep waiting for them, so eventually we stopped for a while and let them get ahead. The youngest son was about five years old. His name was Gary. He basically did whatever he wanted whilst his dad yelled his name. At one point I thought he was going to fall into the water feature which would have been hilarious.

Course

Bridge

Anyway back to the golf. At the turn it was neck and neck at 28 apiece, both 5 over par. Knightley then pulled out five birdies in a row to go back to even par and a seven shot lead, before then having three bogies. Roffe however did not take advantage of the slip up.

Final scores were:

Knightley 52

Roffe 59

As we were driving out we saw some beavers. Stop to take photos.

Gratuitous beaver shot

We then headed home for a dinner of eggs, beans and toast. Jaws 2 is on the TV in preparation for next week.

States visited - 11

Beaver watch - high

Day Twenty One

Woke up to find that Ann had had a nose bleed in the night but not realised, so her pillow, etc had blood on it. Whilst she cleaned it up and contacted the Airbnb owners, I started to tidy and pack everything up. Eventually we were ready to go at 10am. Packed the car and headed off to the other side of Cleveland to do a quick stop off before heading east back to Pennsylvania.

Pulled into the carpark of the Lake View Cemetery and parked up. Walked up to section 22 and then realised it was going to be a struggle. Found someone gardening and asked if they knew how to locate a lot and sublot. She said if you went on the website it and put in the name it will then give you an option to see it on Google maps, not 100% accurate but gives you a close enough idea. She showed me how, so then we went and did so and walked following the map. Eventually ended up at the right place and found the grave we were looking for.

Having found it, it opened up more questions than answers.

Click on it for a better view

I think this is the gravestone of my first cousin twice removed. If you remember from the day two blog, we found the entry for Ellen Bird, my great great aunt, arriving on the Carpathia having been saved from the Titanic in 1912. Well, she married a guy called Julian Edward Beattie, a Londoner, in New York on the 3rd June 1914. They then had a daughter Gwendolyn on 29th June 1915. 

They then moved to Cleveland and Gwendolyn died on the 8th September 1917 from a brain abscess aged just two. Her death certificate says she was buried in the Lake View Cemetery. Now what we found is the grave of a Gwendolen E Beattie, born May 29th 1914 and died Sept 8th 1917. Hence the more questions thrown up. How many Gwendolyn Beatties died on Sept 8th 1917 in Cleveland? Is the headstone wrong with the date of birth by one month and one year? Anyway we paid our respects before walking back to the car in the stifling heat.

We made our way down to I80 and then eventually joined I76 east, returning in the opposite direction on exactly the same route as we did from Philadelphia to Mansfield.

Stopped at a travel plaza to get a drink and a doughnut from Dunkin' Donuts. Awesome. Saw a group of people wearing lanyards. Must have been a coach tour. Filled up with fuel and carried on east, leaving Ohio and going into Pennsylvania.

Stopped for lunch at another Travel Plaza. As we were walking in, the people with the lanyards were just arriving too. Grabbed pizza from Sbarro before hitting the road again.

Went through the same tunnels we had been in on the way west.

Stopped at a Walmart in Carlisle to grab some bits for dinner. 

Travelled the last five or so miles to arrive at the next Airbnb for the next two nights, The Wee Cottage.

Put some washing on and then had dinner.

States visited - 11

Day Twenty

Woke up at 8am and Ann was still asleep, so closed my eyes again. Woke up at gone 9am and Ann was still asleep. Got up and had breakfast. Sat around until Ann eventually woke up.

Eventually we headed out at around 1pm as Ann had been feeling rough. We had a few options of things to do: the USS Cod, a submarine; Great Lakes Science Centre; International Women's Air and Space Museum; The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. 

We decided to start with Rock n Roll as it is the one thing that you can only do here in Cleveland. We've been on other subs and in other science museums as you can find them elsewhere but the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame can't. Parked at the airport which is close to all the things and only costs $7 for all day.

Rock n Roll baby

Walked in only to realise they don't sell tickets. You have to book online. But as you walk in there are QR codes to scan. So we did that and then bought tickets and then got in.

It is over six floors. We were told to start at the bottom and move up, so we did. The bottom floor is all about the history of rock n roll and the music which influenced it through to modern day. We wandered around taking it all in.

Ahaha thank you very much

The actual jacket from Thriller

Lionel Richie's 1984 Olympic closing ceremony jacket

Slash's guitar

A Metallica drum kit

It took us an hour and a half to do the bottom floor. Went and had a drink and a snack at the cafe to discuss what next. Decided that as it was now 3.30pm that we wouldn't get to anywhere else with enough time so we would stay put here until it shut at 5pm

Decided to skip the advice and go straight to the top floor and work down, mainly as it was the one thing I wanted to see. Went up to the top to the Bon Jovi Forever exhibition which took up the whole floor. There was footage playing as well as artefacts.

The Jovi

Saw Jon wear this jacket in 1995

The set list from the night after seeing them

Jon's Guitar

Richie's guitar

Having spent a lot of time up the top,we gradually worked our way down through the other floors. There was a lot less to see on them. Stopped at floor 2 where you could go and play instruments: guitars, drums and piano. There were multiple stations each with their own sound system. Couldn't pass up the opportunity so went and played a Fender Strat. There was a TV screen where you could choose to have a lesson or play along depending on your skill. The choice of songs to jam to was not great but had a ago at a couple before having a free play.

Jimmy Page?

Think I may well have played my way into be inducted into the 2026 Hall of Fame. Wanted to have a go on the drums too but there were only two kits and they were both busy and then suddenly it was 4.55pm and the museum was about to shut. Nipped to the shop. Ann bought everything.

Walked back to the car and then went to exit the car park. Computer said no and kept the barrier down. Kept declining the card. Tried a different card. Still no. Moved out the way as others were waiting to exit. They got out fine. Only other way to pay was with coins which we didn't have. Ann said she would go into the airport and get change. So I drove her to the far end of the car park. She came back saying no one was in there. Drove her to the other end of the car park and she then went off to the USS Cod museum which was right next door. Man said this often happened and that right at the far end of the airport was a desk and to go there. So I drove her all the way back to the other end and off Ann went again. 

This time she came back saying the bloke said yes they have this issue all the time but the parking is nothing to do with them and they just tell people to drive over the curb and go out without paying. Ann asked him if we would get fined for doing this and he said no, the company have bigger fish to fry than worrying about $7.

So we drove out as instructed and then drove home to have dinner.

States visited - 11

Guitar watch - high

Day Nineteen

Egg and bacon for breakfast to set us up for another travel day. Packed up and said goodbye to Craig, Tara and Roxie at around 10am.

Headed about fifty minutes south and stopped in at the Gilmore Car Museum.

Looked around the first few sections and saw a lot of cars. Racing cars, 1920s and 30s, 50s and 60, muscle cars, Franklins, a whole Ford Model A museum and a Cadillac one. Here are lots of cars for your pleasure.

Franklin Model D - 100% original

Modern

Used in the Film Ford v Ferrari

Mustang

1937 Chevy

1931 Duesenberg 

1958 Chevy Impala

1963 Buick

'59 Corvette

1970 Dodge Challenger

'71 Dodge Challenger Convertible

Model A Ford

Paddy Wagon

'61 Cadi

'57 Cadi

After a while we were parched so got a drink from the cafe. Got the wrong biscuit. I wanted a chocolate chip cookie but only when I started eating it did I realise it was one with raisins in. 

There were other museums set amongst the grounds in different buildings, such as the Classic Car Club of America and the Pierce-Arrow museum, so we made our way around the rest of them trying to avoid families with crying children. There seemed to be a lot of them. Crying children that is, not museums.

Recreation of the first ever automobile

'79 Lincoln Continental

'32 Lincoln

'37Cord 812

1936 Lincoln K

Prototype of the first ever Jeep

Recreated 1930s Gas Station

Eventually we had seen pretty much everything so we headed to the Blue Moon Diner which was an original 1941 diner transported from Connecticut. It was small inside but not too crowded so we managed to get a booth. Ordered a chocolate frozen yoghurt and an old fashioned chocolate shake. Ann had something. By the time we came to pay the place was rammed with people trying to get somewhere to sit. The Roffe-Knightley Effect in full flow again.

Made our way to the shop. Was hopeful of some good purchases as it was a very good museum, reminiscent of Le Mays when were in Seattle. Wanted to get a t-shirt but although there were a lot of them, the designs and colours weren't great. Even the magnet choice was not good either. Eventually we only bought the least worst magnet and nothing else. Bit of a disappointing end to the visit.

Back in the car and headed off south towards I94, joined it for short while before dropping south again into Indiana to join the I90. Did nearly a couple of hours before stopping at a travel plaza. Got a Starbucks before hitting the road again.

Another couple of hours east and arrived in the outskirts of Cleveland. Stopped at a Walmart to get supplies for the next couple of dinners and breakfasts. Not the most salubrious place. The shopping baskets had alarms on them.

Ended up at our Airbnb in Lakewood. Had dinner and now trying to get this done so I can sleep. I am now almost recovered from whatever illness I've had for the last few days. Unfortunately, Ann is now in the middle of it. We are both knackered despite not having done that much.

States visited - 11

Car watch - high