Summer 2019 Road Trip, Day 13

Having finished my three nights on the shore of Lake Michigan, today really is the beginning of the end of this trip as I head home. But although I could do it in two days, I’m spreading it out over three.

I met up with my good friend Beth, from grad school, this morning in East Lansing MI where she and her wife, Lisa, live. I don’t see Beth every year, but when we do get together, it’s always great to catch up on where each of us are in our lives. Sadly, we don’t really keep in touch at all outside of these once-every-few-years brunches, but it’s comforting to talk to someone who knew me from so long ago and is so easily able to put my current life in perspective.

Because of road construction and an accident, it was almost 9:30 before I arrived at her house. We headed out to a “funky” restaurant that had fabulous food, and we sat and talked until almost 11 when I dropped her back at her house and continued on my route. My drive took me through Toledo, then across the southern shore of Lake Erie to Cleveland.

Along the way, I found a wonderful, large park with lots of trails (none of which I took the time to explore) and a largish pond with paddle boats and canoes. This pond, unfortunately, was as green as the grass and bushes surrounding it!

If it weren’t for the reflections, you might mistake it for a very smooth-cut lawn 🙁

The drive to Cleveland was often in heavy traffic, but that was expected. My hotel for the night is the La Quinta at the airport, and you know what? The chair, once again, is NOT BROKEN!!

It’s also a nicely decorated room, modern and spacious. Because I took no other outdoor pictures today, you get a couple more of the room, both taken from the comfort of the couch with my feet propped up on the coffee table.