{"id":13374,"date":"2021-06-18T21:19:44","date_gmt":"2021-06-18T21:19:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/?page_id=13374"},"modified":"2021-06-27T19:04:17","modified_gmt":"2021-06-27T19:04:17","slug":"100-days-journey-last-leg-home-may-2021","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/100-days-journey-last-leg-home-may-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"100 Days Journey: Part 12 &#8211; Last Leg Home"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; content_placement=&#8221;middle&#8221; bg_type=&#8221;bg_color&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610214283171{background-color: #000000 !important;}&#8221; bg_color_value=&#8221;#000000&#8243;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624809952040{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><strong>100 Days Journey: Part 12 &#8211; Last Leg Home<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; bg_type=&#8221;bg_color&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610224958479{padding-top: 10px !important;}&#8221; bg_color_value=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]Finished crossing the flat lands of the midwest, reaching mountains again in Pennsylvania, firmly &#8220;back east.&#8221; The lush green landscapes seem almost shocking after so long a stretch exploring the arid spaces of the west, but there is also something comforting about returning to familiar environments, and as I got closer to home I &#8220;bee-lined&#8221; it. Hit the customary traffic as I neared New York City, and then the final bridge to Long Island, and happy to be back home! (Click through the images below for each day&#8217;s notes)&#8230;[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; bg_type=&#8221;bg_color&#8221; bg_color_value=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221;][vc_column]<style type='text\/css'>#cbpw-wrap102 {margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;}#cbpw-grid102 .cbp-l-caption-title {color:#ffffff;background-color:transparent;font-size:15px;font-family:Open Sans;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;line-height:21px;text-align:center;padding:0px 10px 0px 10px;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:capitalize;}#cbpw-grid102 .cbp-l-caption-desc {color:#aaa;background-color:transparent;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:16px;text-align:center;padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-grid102 .cbp-caption-activeWrap {background-color:#000000;}#cbpw-filters79 .cbp-filter-item {background-color:transparent;border-color:#313eec;color:#76788a;font-size:13px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:35px;margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;padding:0px 18px 0px 18px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-filters79 .cbp-filter-item:hover {background-color:transparent;border-color:#3288C4;color:#313eec;font-size:13px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:35px;margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;padding:0px 18px 0px 18px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-filters79 .cbp-filter-item.cbp-filter-item-active {background-color:#313eec;border-color:#313eec;color:#FFFFFF;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:35px;margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;padding:0px 18px 0px 18px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-filters79 .cbp-filter-item.cbp-filter-item-active:hover {background-color:#313eec;border-color:#3288C4;color:#FFFFFF;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:35px;margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;padding:0px 18px 0px 18px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-loadMore102 .cbp-l-loadMore-link {color:#7E7B7B;background-color:transparent;border-width:1px 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#DEDEDE;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:34px;text-align:center;padding:0px 30px 0px 30px;margin:40px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-loadMore102 .cbp-l-loadMore-link:hover {color:#B0B0B0;background-color:transparent;border-width:1px 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#DEDEDE;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:34px;text-align:center;padding:0px 30px 0px 30px;margin:40px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-loadMore102 .cbp-l-loadMore-loading {color:#B0B0B0;background-color:transparent;border-width:1px 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#DEDEDE;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:34px;text-align:center;padding:0px 30px 0px 30px;margin:40px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-loadMore102 .cbp-l-loadMore-loading:hover {color:#B0B0B0;background-color:transparent;border-width:1px 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#DEDEDE;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:34px;text-align:center;padding:0px 30px 0px 30px;margin:40px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-loadMore102 .cbp-l-loadMore-stop {color:#B0B0B0;background-color:transparent;border-width:1px 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#DEDEDE;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:34px;text-align:center;padding:0px 30px 0px 30px;margin:40px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-loadMore102 .cbp-l-loadMore-stop:hover {color:#B0B0B0;background-color:transparent;border-width:1px 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#DEDEDE;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:34px;text-align:center;padding:0px 30px 0px 30px;margin:40px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-singlePage102 .cbp-popup-navigation-wrap {background-color:#000000;}#cbpw-singlePage102 .cbp-popup-singlePage-counter {color:#ffffff;font-size:13px;font-family:Open Sans;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;}<\/style><link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css?family=Open+Sans:700normal,400normal\" type=\"text\/css\" media=\"all\" property=\"stylesheet\"><div id=\"cbpw-wrap102\"><div id=\"cbpw-grid102\" class=\"cbp-l-grid-masonry cbp\"><div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0512-IL-StarvedRockSP_FrenchsCanyon-waterfallcomingdown_IMG_6041_1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>DAY 97:<\/strong> In the morning I went for a hike at Wildcat Den and had no \u201cexpectations\u201d of anything more than a short walk in the woods. Was pleasantly surprised by two things \u2014 first, the fact that this part of Iowa was not actually completely flat, and second, that there was a really cool rock formation to explore in the woods. From Wildcat Den I got back on the road and hustled to make some distance in good time so that I would be able to to make another \u201chike stop\u201d when I got to Illinois. There are several canyons with cool hikes at Starved Rock State Park, but I chose to check out French Canyon because it had an interesting narrow slot that leads to a waterfall. Both of the day\u2019s hikes were remarkable for the vibrant lush green that seemed to surround everything. Maybe I was so struck by it because of the contrast with the colors of the desert after so long. In any case I was happy with my day by the time I drove into Indiana and set up camp at the Indiana Dunes State Park on the edge of Lake Michigan\u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0512-IL-StarvedRockSP_FrenchsCanyon-waterfallcomingdown_IMG_6041_1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Day 97: IA to IL to IN<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">Wildcat Den, Starved Rock and Indiana Dunes...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0513-IN-DunesNP_westbeach-tallsandduneoverviewlakebehind_IMG_6159_1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>DAY 98:<\/strong> I had arrived kind of late in the day yesterday, and didn\u2019t have time to really check out the actual dunes before setting up camp, so when I got up, I headed to the lake, and was surprised to find it was just a normal beach. I guess I had expected to see something similar to desert dunes, but next to water. Instead these dunes are \u201cforested\u201d and covered by grasses for the most part, and then descend to a narrow strip of beach on the shoreline. They are just like the beach dunes on the east coast, and I don\u2019t know why I thought they would be different. Still, I decided to head to the Indiana Dunes National Park, which is a separate entity from the state park where I camped, to see if there might be some kind of more dramatic vista. There I found a trail with an overlook on top of one of the very tall dunes, known as \u201cDiana\u2019s Dune.\u201d The hike started off with a gigantesque staircase that went to the top of the dune, and though I guess it makes sense from a conservation standpoint, I found it a bit bizarre. On the plus side, it was much easier to get to the top than if we had to climb the dune itself! The view over the dunes towards the lake was beautiful, and from there the hike looped back down and around.  I ended up spending quite a bit of time there, and had to push to make it as far as I could into Ohio\u2026<p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0513-IN-DunesNP_westbeach-tallsandduneoverviewlakebehind_IMG_6159_1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Day 98: IN to OH<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">Indiana Dunes National Park...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0514-PA-AlleghenyNF_camp-overviewofcampsitesetup_IMG_6237_1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>DAY 99:<\/strong> Continued the drive through Ohio this morning, making a stop at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park for a short hike. I started out on the Towpath trail by the scenic railway but it was very crowded so I decided to look for someplace less frequented and settled on the Beaver Marsh further south. The marsh trail was a nice easy walk and there were fewer people. I had kind of hoped to maybe see a beaver, but it was near midday, so no luck. It was a bit humid and muggy \u2014 the way it can get out east \u2014 and I realized it was the first time in a long time that I had felt that \u201cdamp.\u201d As I got back on the road heading towards Pennsylvania, I was looking forward to finding a dispersed camping site for my last night of the journey. The Allegheny National Forest in western Pennsylvania was within range, and I identified an area with \u201cdesignated dispersed\u201d sites.  When I arrived to Millstone Road a little before sunset there was only one of the \u201cdesignated\u201d sites that was unoccupied. It was somewhat close to the road, but it was a nice spot with a rock fire ring right next to the stream. I set my tent up quickly, gathered some wood, and got the fire going as the sun slipped below the horizon\u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0514-PA-AlleghenyNF_camp-overviewofcampsitesetup_IMG_6237_1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Day 99: OH to PA<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">Cuyahoga Valley to Allegheny National Forest...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0515-NY_crossingbridgetohomewindshieldrain_IMG_6321_1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>DAY 100:<\/strong> I had a wonderful last night under the stars and woke up a little \u201clate\u201d this morning to the soothing sounds of the stream. I packed up camp for the last time and loaded everything into the Jeep to start on the road to home. Suddenly I was anxious to arrive, and so I made no stops en route, apart from the minimum of necessary gas\/bathroom breaks. Traffic was light across Pennsylvania and into New Jersey, and only started bottlenecking on the approach to New York City. There were a few drops of rain and the sky was unsettled before the sun asserted itself and I made it across the last bridge to Long Island with plenty of daylight. It feels good to be home\u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0515-NY_crossingbridgetohomewindshieldrain_IMG_6321_1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Day 100: PA to NY<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">The last leg to home...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0404-NV-LakeMead-Redstone_JMFportrait-noglasses-lookingatcamera_IMG_6144_1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>POSTSCRIPT:<\/strong> I hadn\u2019t started out to do a journey of 100 days, but the road had other ideas. And on a journey of this epic scope there are always lessons to be learned and insights to be revealed, fostering a sort of \u201cpersonal evolution.\u201d I am still processing the desert\u2019s teachings from this trip, but I know that I have grown from the experience on many different levels. That old cliche about the journey itself being the real destination rang true\u2014and the locations en route were simply my guideposts as I traveled through history, geology and culture getting to know more about my own country and the amazingly beautiful wild places within its borders. Traveling \u201coffroad\u201d (meaning off-pavement, but on legally recognized trails or in designated open OHV areas) and living out of the Jeep allowed me to delve deeply into the hidden stories of remote places and to expand my skillsets and knowledge base. And the more I\u2019ve learned, the more questions I have \u2014 about geology, archaeology, history and public land use policy. As I sort through it all I am looking ahead to the next chapter and the next journey\u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0404-NV-LakeMead-Redstone_JMFportrait-noglasses-lookingatcamera_IMG_6144_1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Postscript<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">A few final thoughts on the journey...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0429-AZ-Terminator-LON51_JMFJeepXCUdramaticangle_IMG_1406_1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>THE JEEP:<\/strong> This journey was undertaken between January and May of 2021 in a 2019 4-door firecracker red Jeep Wrangler Rubicon affectionally called \u201cRuby.\u201d Ruby was purchased new in April of 2019 and has a 2.0-liter eTurbo mild hybrid engine under the hood producing 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. She sports the 2\u201d Mopar lift with Fox shocks and 35\u201d Mickey Thompson Baja ATZs on Pro Comp wheels. Her rock rails and front bumper are Rock Hard 4x4 and she runs a 10,000 lb Warn winch with synthetic line. Ruby performed perfectly during the entire journey both on- and off-road\u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0429-AZ-Terminator-LON51_JMFJeepXCUdramaticangle_IMG_1406_1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">About the Jeep<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">\"Ruby\" the 2019 JL...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">this.initCubePortfolio =  this.initCubePortfolio || []; this.initCubePortfolio.push({id: 102, options: {\"filters\":\"\",\"loadMore\":\"\",\"loadMoreAction\":\"click\",\"search\":\"\",\"layoutMode\":\"grid\",\"sortToPreventGaps\":true,\"drag\":true,\"auto\":false,\"autoTimeout\":5000,\"autoPauseOnHover\":true,\"showNavigation\":true,\"showPagination\":true,\"rewindNav\":true,\"scrollByPage\":false,\"defaultFilter\":\"*\",\"filterDeeplinking\":false,\"animationType\":\"scaleSides\",\"gridAdjustment\":\"responsive\",\"mediaQueries\":[{\"width\":1400,\"cols\":43},{\"width\":1170,\"cols\":3},{\"width\":1024,\"cols\":3},{\"width\":960,\"cols\":3},{\"width\":778,\"cols\":3},{\"width\":640,\"cols\":2},{\"width\":480,\"cols\":1}],\"gapHorizontal\":20,\"gapVertical\":20,\"caption\":\"overlayBottomAlong\",\"displayType\":\"bottomToTop\",\"displayTypeSpeed\":200,\"lightboxDelegate\":\".cbp-lightbox\",\"lightboxGallery\":true,\"lightboxTitleSrc\":\"data-title\",\"lightboxCounter\":\"<div class=\\\"cbp-popup-lightbox-counter\\\">{{current}} of {{total}}<\/div>\",\"singlePageDelegate\":\".cbp-singlePage\",\"singlePageDeeplinking\":true,\"singlePageStickyNavigation\":true,\"singlePageCounter\":\"<div class=\\\"cbp-popup-singlePage-counter\\\">{{current}} of {{total}}<\/div>\",\"singlePageAnimation\":\"middle\",\"singlePageInlineDelegate\":\".cbp-singlePageInline\",\"singlePageInlineDeeplinking\":false,\"singlePageInlinePosition\":\"top\",\"singlePageInlineInFocus\":true,\"plugins\":{},\"cols\":3,\"coverRatio\":\"4:3\"}});<\/script>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610299121889{margin-top: 15px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;slideInLeft&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">ROUTE<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gmaps link=&#8221;#E-8_JTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbSUyRm1hcHMlMkZkJTJGZW1iZWQlM0ZtaWQlM0QxeFhTWXYxZmt6akttaF9SbmxSUkZ2LVJRdGdvYUQzNFMlMjIlMjB3aWR0aCUzRCUyMjY0MCUyMiUyMGhlaWdodCUzRCUyMjQ4MCUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRmlmcmFtZSUzRQ==&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;none&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; bg_type=&#8221;bg_color&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610224958479{padding-top: 10px !important;}&#8221; bg_color_value=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]Note this map provides an overview of the twelfth segment of the journey&#8211;from Iowa across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey to Long Island, New York. The route on this map shows the overall direction of travel and key &#8220;stops&#8221; but does not include any detailed GPX tracks for backcountry trails, etc&#8230;[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610299121889{margin-top: 15px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;slideInLeft&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">KEY LOCATIONS: Waypoints en route<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610296030586{margin-top: 15px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_tta_tabs][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Wildcat&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1624815652101-de6925d9-249f&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13674&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624816945026{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iowadnr.gov\/Places-to-Go\/State-Parks\/Iowa-State-Parks\/Wildcat-Den-State-Park\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Wildcat Den State Park<\/span><\/a> in Muscatine, Iowa is one of the state&#8217;s most photographed parks. Combining natural beauty and solitude, unique trails,<br \/>\npreservation of historical structures, and picnic areas for recreational use, Wildcat Den State Park is also one of the most unique parks in Iowa. Trails wind through a variety of terrain, leading to geological formations such as \u201cSteamboat Rock\u201d and the \u201cDevil\u2019s Punch Bowl&#8221; along wooded bluffs. The majestic cliffs are composed of 300 million year-old sandstone and provide spectacular views for hikers.The \u201cturn of the century\u201d Melpine one-room schoolhouse offers a glimpse into Iowa\u2019s past. And the Pine Creek Grist Mill, the oldest working grist mill between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains, is one of the finest examples of mid-19th century mills left in the country. The mill was built in 1848 built by Benjamin Nye, one of Muscatine County\u2019s first settlers. The mill is being restored to its original condition. and is now grinding corn for the first time in more than 75 years.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Starved Rock&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1624815592002-ac2513d0-85f4&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13667&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624817082647{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www2.illinois.gov\/dnr\/Parks\/Pages\/StarvedRock.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Starved Rock State Park<\/a><\/span> is located just southeast of the village of Utica, Illinois, along the south bank of the Illinois River. The park has over 13 miles of hiking trails with 18 deep canyons, some of which feature dramatic waterfalls. The unique topography was created by a catastrophic flood from a melting glacier, approximately 14,000-17,000 years ago before humans occupied the area. The flood exposed the rock canyons which are very unusual for the central plains area. Starved Rock is named for a prominent sandstone butte that overlooks the river, where according to local legend, a group of Native Americans of the Illinois Confederation had fled under attack by the Ottawa and Potawatomi who besieged the butte until all of the Illiniwek had starved. The area around The Rock was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Indiana Dunes&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1624815625579-2a71e536-9fec&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13402&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624817960718{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/indu\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Indiana Dunes National Park<\/span><\/a>, located in northwestern Indiana, runs for about 20 miles along the southern shore of Lake Michigan.Over 10,000 years ago, glaciers receded north, leaving rolling hills, wetlands, Lake Michigan, and the dunes ridgeline. Shaped by the glacial events and changing climates, the dunes landscape contains disjunct flora representative of eastern deciduous forests, boreal forest remnants, and species with Atlantic coast affinities. In the early 1900s most of the coastline has been settled for use as homes, factories, and businesses and the dunes became threatened by the encroaching real-estate development. An American intellectual, nonconformist, and free spirit, Alice Mabel Gray had been living in a crude shack along Indiana\u2019s wild Lake Michigan shore and became interested in the history, ecology, and the need to preserve the area\u2019s dunes. Later known as \u201cDiana of the Dunes\u201d she had trained in mathematics, astronomy, and classical languages at the University of Chicago in the early 1900s before rejecting a wage-earning, urban life in favor a solitary existence at the Indiana Dunes. Gray\u2019s unconventional lifestyle fascinated the general public and area news reporters, who gave her the \u201cDiana\u201d moniker. Gray\u2019s notoriety and the \u201cDiana\u201d legend brought media attention to the Dunes at an important time when the local community\u2019s support was critical in helping to establish the area as a nature preserve that became the Indiana Dunes State Park and later Indiana Dunes National Park. Today visitors to the National Park can take the \u201cDiana Dunes Dare\u201d a hiking challenge that begins with a tall sprawling staircase to the top of \u201cDiana\u2019s Dune\u201d where one can pause to gaze across the delicate, diverse rolling beauty of the dune succession and its fragility before continuing the hiking loop.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Cuyahoga Valley&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1624815575581-166dfda9-4682&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13669&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624819629448{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]The <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/cuva\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cuyahoga Valley National Park<\/a><\/span> preserves and reclaims the rural landscape along the Cuyahoga River between Akron and Cleveland in Northeast Ohio. The 32,572-acre park is administered by the National Park Service, but within its boundaries are areas independently managed as county parks or as public or private businesses. Cuyahoga Valley differs from the other national parks in America in that it is adjacent to two large urban areas. The park is centered around the Cuyahoga River which became a national icon after a famous fire in 1969 galvanized the environmental movement and helped lead to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency. The story of the river is a powerful metaphor for the challenges of reversing environmental damage. The 100-mile river flows both south and north before emptying into Lake Erie at Cleveland, Ohio, a scant 30 miles west of its headwaters. This U-shaped path is due to the river\u2019s geologic history. As melting glaciers retreated from the last ice age, their waters tried to find their way to Lake Erie. They wandered south until they hit a north-south continental divide. At what is now Akron, they turned sharply north and burrowed into an ancient river bed filled with glacial debris. Native Americans called it \u201cKa-ih-ogh-ha\u201d\u2014crooked. The river was unsuitable for transportation, but its water could be used to create a navigable canal. The Ohio &amp; Erie Canal opened in 1827, bringing rapid industrialization to Northeast Ohio and the river began to be used to transport industrial waste and urban sewage. The Cuyahoga became famous as \u201cthe river that burned\u201d after a June 22, 1969 fire that began when a spark from a passing train ignited the debris and the oil floating on the water. The fire became a rallying cry for America to protect its waterways. The river underwent a series of restoration efforts, and has made a comeback, becoming a state scenic river in 1974. Once a source of shame, the Cuyahoga is now an inspiration, demonstrating how people can heal a damaged river. Today people are enjoying the return of nesting bald eagles and other wildlife as well as new recreational opportunities along the Cuyahoga River Water Trail.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Allegheny National Forest&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1623782638040-55e0442a-2b2b&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13671&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624820484930{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]The <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/allegheny\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Allegheny National Forest<\/a><\/span>, in northwestern Pennsylvania, covers 513,175 acres in the heart of Pennsylvania&#8217;s oil and gas region. Established in 1923, it is Pennsylvania\u2019s only National Forest. The forest is composed of plateau tops with elevations up to approximately 2,300 feet and valleys down to approximately 1,000 feet above sea level, situated in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. Famous for its beautiful scenery and expansive natural surroundings, this area is often referred to as &#8220;Trail Central,&#8221; as there are more than 600 miles of pathways traversing over 500,000 acres available for outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking, OHV trails, canoeing, guided tours, kayaking, bird watching and more. The Allegheny National Forest was originally home to Native Americans, who lived on the land for centuries. The area&#8217;s beauty attracted early European settlers in the 1800s who eventually created a thriving community, and transformed the area into a hub for lumber and agriculture. Over the years, the region was further developed, as tanneries and sawmills became profitable businesses. Later, coal mining emerged as a lucrative industry and mines were created across the region. At that point, the railroad made this part of the state more accessible, though it also resulted in this area of Pennsylvania losing almost all of its natural resources, as trees were cut down and large sections of lands were completely cleared. In 1923, the United States government established the Allegheny National Forest, which fully protected the land and still promotes conservation. Today, it\u2019s one of the most visited destinations in the state, known for its jaw-dropping natural beauty and acres of pristine land.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=&#8221;black&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624809991155{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row content_placement=&#8221;middle&#8221;][vc_column][vc_btn title=&#8221;Back to Days 91-96&#8243; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fas fa-angle-double-left&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usnomadstudio.com%2Ftheroadbook%2F100-days-journey-leaving-the-west-may-2021%2F|title:100%20Days%20Journey%3A%20Mojave%20Road%20to%20Alabama%20Hills%20(February%202021)&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624810038129{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}&#8221;][vc_btn title=&#8221;100 Days &#8211; Main Page&#8221; link=&#8221;url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usnomadstudio.com%2Ftheroadbook%2F100-days-journey-across-the-usa-january-may-2021%2F&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624810260043{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}&#8221;][vc_btn title=&#8221;US Nomads Home&#8221; i_align=&#8221;right&#8221; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fas fa-angle-double-right&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usnomads.org%2Fblog|title:US%20Nomads%20Home%20Page&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624810244954{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; content_placement=&#8221;middle&#8221; bg_type=&#8221;bg_color&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610214283171{background-color: #000000 !important;}&#8221; bg_color_value=&#8221;#000000&#8243;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624809952040{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;] 100 Days Journey: Part 12 &#8211; Last Leg Home [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; bg_type=&#8221;bg_color&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610224958479{padding-top: 10px !important;}&#8221; bg_color_value=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]Finished crossing the flat lands of the midwest, reaching mountains again in Pennsylvania, firmly &#8220;back east.&#8221; The lush green landscapes seem almost shocking after so long a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-home.php","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13374"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13374"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13374\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13675,"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13374\/revisions\/13675"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13374"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}