Labor Day Weekend in Northeastern Ohio – First Day
Bob and I spent Labor Day weekend in Cleveland, Ohio. We went to Cleveland to visit the zoo. We visited the zoo, but we saw so much more.
We made two sightseeing stops on our way to Cleveland. Both stops were in Ashtabula County, Ohio. Our first stop was at the Smolen-Gulf Covered Bridge.
Smolen-Gulf Covered Bridge
The Smolen-Gulf Bridge lies on Ashtabula County Road 25 and crosses over the Ashtabula River. The bridge is 613 feet long. It is the longest covered bridge in the United States. It is the fourth largest covered bridge in the world.
We walked across the bridge, using the covered walkways on either side of the bridge. We visited Indian Trails Park, located underneath the bridge, as well.
I’m standing alongside the Ashtabula River.
We plan to make a return trip to Ohio because there are sixteen more covered bridges in Ashtabula County!
Our second stop was in Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio’s first summer resort. Our first destination upon arriving at Geneva-on-the-Lake was Lake Erie.
It was a windy day!
Note the white caps on Lake Erie.
This “Kool Bus” was parked near the lake shore.
One of Geneva-on-the-Lake’s main attractions is “the Strip”, a section of State Route 531 which is lined with arcades, amusement rides, restaurants, nightclubs and live music.
the Strip
Eddie’s Grill is a popular place to eat on the Strip.
This mural was appropriately located on the side of The Cove Nite Club.
We arrived at our hotel, Best Western Inn & Suites, in the early afternoon. One of the hotel’s suites would be our home for two nights (September 4-5).
Our hotel room included two queen beds, a hide-a-bed sofa and a small kitchenette.
There were two restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. Bob Evans was located across one street, and Goody’s Family Restaurant was across another street. Because we can eat at Bob Evans any time, we decided to eat dinner at Goody’s Family Restaurant. It was a good choice. Bob ordered Sicilian Pork Chops; I ordered meatloaf. Our meals were delicious, and the service was very good. After dinner we returned to the hotel for the evening. The next day we went to the Cleveland Zoo, which will be the topic of my next blog post.
The Beauty Around Us 
8 Responses to “Labor Day Weekend in Northeastern Ohio – First Day”
I wouldn't want to golf in that wind LOL
Oh how I love to go on your trips with you, Linda… LOVE that covered bridge.. I've seen another long one once in Vermont. It was WINDY in that video wasn't it???? Wow.. The 'strip' looks like a neat place just to walk… Knoxville has a 'strip' near the University of Tennessee –which looks similar…My hubby lived in Cleveland (taught school there) when he first got out of college. He said that he has been to the zoo.Can't wait to see more… How's the new job?Hugs,Betsy
The bridge is gorgeous – but it's new! I didn't know they still made them.Those are gale force winds it looks like!! We've had our share of those kinds of winds here lately, too.
That bridge is a modern looking covered bridge…makes me wish they covered more of them….I am so far behind on your blog. I don't know if I will ever catch up.
Great trip!..Love the bridge.
The covered bridge was really cool. We have one here called McKee Bridge. It is an historic landmark. I went there as a child but I would love to go there again. Your hotel room looked so nice! I look forward to your zoo post:)
You had a busy weekend! I like the sculptures in your earlier post – wonderful!
You're visiting my old stomping grounds. My first teaching job was in Cleveland, although I taught on the west side rather than the east side.I've seen a few of the covered bridges in Ashtabula County, but have never been to Indian Trails Park.