With Memorial Day weekend approaching, travel is once again on my mind. As I look back on the past four years, wacky road trips comprise some of my fondest memories. Sure, everyone has been to Cleveland and Cincinnati, New York and Chicago, but I think that I have managed to hit up some places that are a bit off of the beaten path.
After watching the documentary film “The Devil’s Playground” I became inspired to go to Amish country. This enthusiasm was shared with a friend of mine who was soon to leave Ohio and wanted to catch of glimpse of this area before he left. So last summer we hopped into his Daihatsu Charade and drove up to Holmes County, which bills itself as the heart of Ohio’s Amish country.
While I did not catch any young Amish people in the midst of rumpspringa (to those who haven’t seen the film, this is the time when the Amish are allowed to explore the ways of the English, or in other words, party a whole lot) while driving down two-lane state roads, we came across a tourist spot known as the Alpine Alpa on Route 62. The gigantic, old-world replica looked like something that belonged at Disneyland, complete with a massive cuckoo clock featuring little robotic people in Swiss outfits.
We took some pictures, but decided we wanted to see the real deal and drove further down the road. We saw the obligatory horses and buggies, but also a few surprises. This was – for all intents and purposes – the middle of nowhere. No power lines, no neon signs and no traces of massive strip malls were anywhere in sight. This was indicative not only of the Amish and their ways, but also of rural Ohio as it had been as recently as 50 years ago. It was such a good time that I brought some more friends out there a few weeks later.
If Amish country isn’t your thing, might I recommend Pittsburgh? There are a number of really great art museums and galleries, such as the Mattress Factory and the Andy Warhol Museum, but be patient if you decide to go and allow for plenty of extra time.
The city is a labyrinthine mess of one-way streets and imposing hills that make navigation a nightmare for out-of-towners. If being lost does not make you anxious, soak up the mammoth steel factories and old buildings as they pass by- testaments to the city’s former glory.
For the truly adventurous, Roanoke, Va. has at least one place worth stopping for, The Texas Tavern – also known as Roanoke’s Millionaire’s Club. Conveniently located downtown, they specialize in burgers with mustard, cheese and onion. Normally, these condiments would not entice me, but I gave it a shot and was not disappointed. They also offered a wide variety of amusing novelty items. What better way to remember a trip than with a souvenir T-shirt?
For those looking for a closer, but equally unique dining experience worth driving for, Toledo offers Tony Packo’s. Made famous from being name dropped in episodes of TV’s “M*A*S*H*,” it has since become an institution, offering hot dogs and other dishes garnished with their own signature pickle-and-pepper relishes. Everyone from Bill Clinton to ZZ Top has been there, and the autographed hot dog buns prove the food at Tony Packo’s is worth the trip.
Music fans may also be interested in the Detroit Electronic Music Festival that takes place every Memorial Day weekend at the Renaissance Plaza. This three-day event attracts a million fans each year who can watch dozens of very diverse acts- absolutely free. The city’s monorail offers easy access to Greek Town, a bustling area packed with restaurants serving authentic Greek cuisine. But I wouldn’t venture any further from these two places unless you know the area. It is Detroit after all.
Kevin Snorteland is a senior in French and comparative studies. He can be reached for comment at [email protected].
