Every time I think I will post about Labor Day 2001, I think I will do it over Labor Day (duh) and yet, here it is, late on Labor Day…
No time like the present.
On the Friday preceding Labor Day of 2001, The Mister and I found ourselves childless for the weekend. We threw stuff in the trunk of our car and drove northeast. We left with important things, like a cell phone, a map, some food, and a tent, but without a plan. The idea being we would find a place to camp, what with road signs to campgrounds and all that.
Spontaneity — before smartphones, it was a bit of a risk.
After dark, we pulled into a campground somewhere. The campground’s proprietor said they were full and it was illegal for him to let us camp without a designated spot, but if we were open to roughing it, he’d find us a spot. We were open. We set up camp. The Mister roasted weenies and I toasted marshmallows and we enjoyed the evening staring at fire. Goodness, we do love to stare at fire. We crawled into our tent and slept the good sleep.
We awoke early and as I wandered about while brushing my teeth — who can just stand there?! — I roamed over a bit to a drop-off, to see what was there, and HOLY CRAP! IT WAS LAKE ERIE!
We had no idea we camped next to the lake. And in case you’re not knowing, I should tell you Lake Erie is a Great Lake. It’s big. Lake Erie is one of the smaller Great Lakes and it’s still frickin huge.
Maybe maps aren’t the best way. I mean, when you look at a map like this, you may think Indiana and Wisconsin are pretty close together, why don’t Joey and Mary meet for lunch in Chicago?
Anyway, we woke up next to Lake Erie and that was amazing luck. What a view!
We went to Niagara Falls, spent the day walking and hiking, taking in the falls and the gardens. Then we checked into a hotel and drove back the following day.
We had a right good time.
We’ve accumulated heaps of travel and Labor Day memories over our twenty years together, but few surprises have been better than waking up on the shores of Lake Erie.
joeyfullystated 
Memories – some are sweeter than others. This is a good one. 🙂
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It really is. Thanks, Judy 🙂
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Nothing like a grand adventure, Joey. I’m glad you two were able to have one. Niagara Falls is quite something, isn’t it? 🙂
janet
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A grand adventure indeed 🙂 Thanks!
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There is something about feeling it with as you led us there while brushing your teeth… could imagine your eyes bulging –
And what a fun trip.
This holiday for us in 2001- we put our FL house on the market (pulled it a week later but then sold it in spring) – I like your adventure weekend much better – 😉
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Thanks! It was SUCH a surprise!
Well, feel better, in 2013, we spent Labor Day Weekend with a very big and expensive hole in our yard to combat sewer catastrophe!
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Ok – the 2013 story trumps mine… ha
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All I can think about is it’s a good thing you didn’t wander into the lake looking for a place to pee in the dark. Haha!
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Good point! Best there weren’t bushes out that way! 😛
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In college, we took off (impulse) to tent camp on a 3-day weekend. Ended up @ Davy Crocket National Forest, but all camp sites were taken. We pitched on a nice roadside grassy spot. Wife got about 100 (I counted but forget the #) chigger bites to which she had a bad reaction with 2-inch welts driving her crazy. I got no bites. I didn’t know what chiggers were.
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Oh dear oh dear! Chigger bites are something I’ve never had either, but I’ve seen em on others. I guess maybe we’re not allergic? I think I’ve found a new point of gratitude today!
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I’m not a camper and especially not roughing it but waking up next to Lake Erie would definitely be cool.
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For you, Janet, may I recommend a resort on the lake? 🙂
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You may!
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A good relationship is build by great memories together, which you also describe here. Wish you many more years together Joey 🙂
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Thanks so much, Irene 🙂
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That was a nice surprise. We keep saying we’re going to Niagra Falls and yet we haven’t done it..
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Definitely worth seeing. I’ve been several times and it’s always awesome in the literal sense. Maybe you wouldn’t like them as much as red rocks, but I bet you’d like them!
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It’s on the “when the hell are you retiring?” list…
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Good.
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Some memories create a lastly impression that feels as fresh today as they were when they originally happened.
Yup – the Great Lakes are big! … and you don’t really appreciate how big until you’re standing on the shore of one of them. How you managed to sneak up on Lake Erie without knowing it is a mystery 😆 but discovering it the next morning is a treasure!!
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Haha! It was dark, we were in la la land, all childless and freeee. I’d never accidentally sneak up on Lake Michigan, that’s fersure! 😉
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I remember those days when a few hours without kids made us absolutely giddy 😉
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I live 20 minutes from Lake Erie. Yup, it’s huge, Joey! Way cool you and the Mister went camping. xo
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Ah, Amy, you and your scenic beauty! I’d like to go back and spend time in Presque Isle!
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Believe it or not, it’s not often I get out Lake Erie way. That’s how crazy busy my life has been of late. I LOVE the lakefront. I just gotta make TIME to get there, darn it!!
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That’s insane. Like how my parents are a mile from the beach and never go. I do.not.understand! LOL I hope you get some lake time in — the weather will surely be in your favor soon!
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I promise, Joey. I really do. xo
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Wonderful memory. Sounds like the best kind of trip.
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Honestly, it was so simple and carefree, it was probably my favorite.
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And it’s Lake Erie for the win. Great story, good memories make for the best ones. Hope this year’s Labor Day was another good memory for you.
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Alas, no, I did a lot of chores this weekend, but it’s okay, there are other weekends 😀 Thanks, Ally Bean!
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What a lovely story. Camp fire can be so Romantic. With the right person.
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It was rather romantic 🙂
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Fun! Who knew brushing your teeth could turn into such a wonderful and surprising adventure! 🙂
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I know! That never happens when I brush my teeth at home! LOL
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That sounds amazing. ❤ I'm not one for being spontaneous, but when my husband and I were dating, we took off for a last-minute camping trip, and it was the best time. I haven't been in 13 years, though.
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Camping with kids has not proven to be a good time for the Motterns. YMMV but you sure can’t fly by the seat of your pants with hungry tired wee people. You may camp again another day, and you may find something else extraordinary instead.
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What a great story. Lake Erie is big! I’m glad you guys lucked out. You’re right about maps. They make travel look so easy.
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I realize people who haven’t seen the Great Lakes probably can’t fathom, but you have, so I know you know what an insane surprise that was to us! 😀
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I can only imagine the surprise aspect. We used to vacation there every summer, but we knew we were going.
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Sometimes I think it was funner to travel back before there was no GPS and internet reviews and everything was a big adventure which generally turned out okay. Great Labor Day memories!.
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Right? Cause I don’t plan a vacation without Trip Advisor… Makes you wonder how much good stuff may be overlooked on account of poor reviews.
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HOLY MOLY! What a surprise that would be. Waking up next to a Great Lake might — and I emphasize *might* — even make camping worthwhile.
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Yeah, why don’t we meet for lunch in Chicago? And why do I miss your post when you mention my name? I think we should hop in the car some Saturday (you can bring Marian along) and we’ll meet at whatever dive is halfway. It’s only what…four hours through horrendous Gary, Milwaukee and Chicago interstate traffic…right?
I’ve been to both Niagara Falls and to Lake Erie (Sandusky and Put ‘n’ Bay, Ohio) and they are both wonderful places to spend time with a friend or significant other. Your camping trip sounds like one of those memories that warms the cockles of your heart every time you think about it. ❤
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What an amazing trip… Smartphones have taken away this element of surprise. Maybe, you can try to recreate this by deliberately not using your phones next trip.
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I have seen the beauty of Lake Erie, yes, Joey, it being one of the two Great Lakes that touch my home New York State. Waking up next to it must have been awesome!
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That sounds like a wonderful surprise! I haven’t been that far north and sadly haven’t seen any of the Great Lakes. Labor Day of 2001 probably did not find me childless. My second was only a few weeks old and was a sick baby so nobody else wanted those sleepless nights. lol.
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