Canton Ohio to Port Allegeny Pennsylvania

June 20th, 2025

I awoke around 6:30 am to a Robin singing. It was cool enough for a jacket. There were many motorhomes at this campground. I was amazed that they could park as many as they had, considering that most of the campground was on the side, of a pretty steep hill. It was also a Holiday KOA, so it had to have the mandatory mini golf course. It was a cowboy themed golf course. Someone had carved all sorts of statues to decorate the different holes. There were a couple of cowboys, a few native americans, a covered wagon, a Tpee, and some cactus. Nearby they also had the largest see-saw that I have ever seen. I tried to make coffee, but my stove ran out of fuel part way to boil. I made cofffee anyway, but it was luke warm. I went for a walk with my coffee, to see the horses. They were happily munching on their round bales or resting in the sheds. I walked back to camp and started packing up. I turned my bike around by hand, and then loaded her up. I picked a breakfast spot, about 20 minutes away. I navigated the steep hill, back out of the campground, without much trouble. As I headed out I noticed a large flock of turkey vultures riding the air waves. I think I counted 15 or so.

My breakfast spot was the Country Kitchen in East Canton, OH. When I pulled in, the parking lot was full. A good sign. I walked in to a small place with 8 or 10 tables and 5 seats at the counter. There was the usual group of regulars having coffee and chatting. I was greeted by Don( I assume the owner who was maybe 80yrs old)) Don poured me a cup of coffee as he continued his conversation with his friend at the counter. I ordered scrambled eggs, with raisin french toast and sausage patties. It came quickly and I ate it so too. I guess I was hungry. It was a deal at $12. I was sent on my way with a smile and a safe travels. I went out to the bike to plan my route and see if the GPS would comply. It was in a good mood today, and planned my route happily. My plan was to visit the Zippo factory store on my way to Galeton, OH. Rob had stayed at a motel with campsites there, so that was where I was heading.

Best layed plans. I took Route 62 to Intestate 76 to Interstate 80. Well, all was good until I hit road construction on 76 and 80. It was stop and go for miles. My hands were getting tired and I was getting hot too. I decided to get off onto Route 19 and take the back roads. I pulled into a hotel parking lot to have a snack and water. There was one little bush that offered a bit of shade. I really had to pee, so I went behind the bush. That taken care of, I had to fiqure out where to go from here. I had lost at least an hour of time in traffic. It was supposed to take three hours to get to the Zippo factory store. I plan a new route. All good, so I thought. Unfortuately, the truckers had the same idea as I had, of trying to take the back roads. I was in stop and go again for miles through at least three towns with stop lights and strange intersections. When I finally reached Route 6, I was free from the traffic at last. I eventually stopped for ice coffee and some lunch. I cooled off and realized that going to the Zippo Factory store was not happening.

After lunch, I asked the GPS to plan to go straight to Galeton. Many miles later, through several state forests and beautiful roads, I found a perfect place to stop. I was tired and needed a break. The GPS has taken me off of Route 6 and onto Route 59. Route 59 winds itself along the Allegeny Reservoir. Part way, there is a dam. I noticed another biker parked there, so I pulled in. What a neat spot to stop. The dam was open and the water was rushing out. You could walk along it and see another viewing area down below on the other side. Across the street, the cliffs went straight up from the road, and had waterfalls casscading down them. This spot also had restrooms, a bonus. The other biker was a guy from Toronto, Canada. He was meeting some friends to ride around on the curvy Pennsylvania back roads. After a nice break, I had to get back on the road, as it was already close to 5pm. I still had many miles yet to travel today.

I had to stop a few miles down the road, for a stop light, for bridge construction. As I waited for the light, I noticed a marina down below and all the boats were house boats. One other thing I noticed today, were all the cute, little brick houses, a contrast to all the victorians up in the upper penninsyla of MI. Also, every town had a Dollar General store and a Dairy Queen. As I continued, the roads were getting hilly up and down, up and down and around. They were good biking roads, and I was glad I didn't see any deer. I stopped in Smethport, PA at a gas station for coffee and a sandwich. I was still an hour away from Galeton. I decided to call the place Rob suggested to see if they had any space for the night. The nice older woman on the phone said that unfortuanely they were full. I liked the KOA's I had been staying at. You can book online and know you have a reservation. I should have checked sooner. I was tired and a bit overwhelmed now. It ws 7 pm and I didn't have a place for the night. It was one of those days where things just were not going to go as planned, and I just had to go with it. I searched online and found the Mid-town motel. It had good reviews and it was in the next town. I drove hoping that they had a room. When I arrived and checked in the office, they had one room left. Yay. The host was nice and friendly and so were my neighbors. I was able to park Kim right in front of my room, so I could keep an eye on her. The room was updated and clean. It wasn't the Ritz, but for $75 bucks it served it's purpose. The TV in the room wouldn't turn on, but I didn't need it. Till tomorrow....