Big Wheels, Bigger Views

This leg of our journey took us winding through Michigan, Ohio, Vermont, New York, and Pennsylvania — each state with its own charm and surprises. After a short stint in Wisconsin, we rolled into Michigan, where the air was crisp and the scenery stunning. This was our first time exploring Michigan and the highlight was Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, where the cliffs rise dramatically over the turquoise waters of Lake Superior. Kayakers looked like colorful specks beneath the towering formations, and every turn on the trail opened up to another postcard-worthy view. We were able to get a last minute sunset cruise that let us see the beauty up close and personal.

Mackinac Island was next, a timeless step back in history where bicycles and horse-drawn carriages rule the streets instead of cars. We explored the island’s scenic trails by renting a bicycle and cycling around the entire island, visited the iconic Grand Hotel, had an amazing lunch at Carriage House, watched them shoot off a canon at Fort Mackinac and watched the sunset paint the Straits of Mackinac in soft orange and pink hues. We loved the location of our rv spot, Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping, which was easy access to all things Mackinaw! We topped off our time there with a visit to the Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park which was very educational.

From there, we headed south to Frankenmuth, a Bavarian-style village that feels like a slice of Germany in the Midwest. We indulged in world-famous chicken dinner at the famous Zehnders, watched the clock tower at the Bavarian Inn, strolled through the quaint downtown shops, and soaked in the festive, small-town atmosphere. Aaron got us a last minute booking on the Cass River where we had wine tasting and chocolate. No complaints there. We stepped into the largest Christmas store…no scratch that, warehouse we have ever been to in our lives, the Bronner”s Christmas Wonderland, where the daily electrical bill runs around $1250/day. The highlight of this entire stay was my first sighting of fireflies out in the corn fields….ahhhhh, pure heaven.

Crossing into Ohio, we didn’t have too much time to drive through rolling farmlands and stop at small-town diners that reminded us how friendly and genuine people can be. What we did get to witness for the first time ever was a good old fashioned rv park brawl which led to the neighbors getting punted around 8:30 at night with a police escort. Luckily we were just spectators! I had a little surprise up my sleeve at this stop along the way. I wanted to explore the island of Put-in-Bay in Lake Erie, so we took a ferry over and rented some scooters and saw the sights.

Then came Vermont, where the winding roads and mountain views offered a peaceful contrast to the busier stretches of our route. Every bend seemed to reveal a covered bridge or charming village, and maple syrup stands were a tempting stop. We had one mission, and one mission only in Vermont, W H I S T L E P I G. Earlier in the summer after we left Mt. Rushmore and we talked about where to head next Aaron said how about Vermont, I said we aren’t driving that far east….well….a few months later…here we are and I am super glad we did. It was a beautiful drive and a memorable stop for Aaron and his bucket list. We had one of the best KOA campsites of all times…sadly it was just for one night only.

Next up was New York, and this leg of the trip felt electric. We hit upstate New York on our way to Vermont where we explored Letchworth State Park, which was absolutely stunning as well as explore Fort Stanwix National Monument.

We explored downtown NYC, taking in the energy that only the city can deliver — bright lights, endless motion, and an unbeatable mix of people from everywhere. We love our HOHO’s and this one was no average HOHO, I opted for both the day and night hop on hop off and it was incredible. The city skyscrapers at night made the skyline a magical vista. We made it to Central Park, a green oasis amid the skyscrapers, where we opted to rent a bicycle and make the romantic journey around the park. We caught both Mets and Yankees games, checking off a pair of baseball bucket-list moments. There’s something surreal about sitting in two legendary stadiums within the same trip, hearing the crowds roar under the summer sky. The biggest highlight was making it on TV in the background of the Today Show and shaking Al Roker’s hand, such a surreal experience. We called my parents and told them they better watch it when it viewed in Arizona, so they could capture the moment for us. Thanks mum and dad.

Our final stop was Pennsylvania, where we slowed the pace and visited Gettysburg. Standing on those hallowed grounds, surrounded by rolling hills and historic monuments, it was impossible not to feel the weight of the past. The stories of courage and sacrifice echoed through the fields, making it one of the most meaningful stops of the journey.

From the peaceful shores of Lake Superior to the bustling streets of New York City and the solemn fields of Gettysburg, this trip had a bit of everything — nature, history, food, fun, and reflection. Traveling by RV gave us the freedom to experience it all at our own pace, and every mile brought a new adventure, a new story, and a deeper appreciation for the beauty of America.